This is a great story. People finding a new way to pursue their passion and enjoy the great outdoors.
Archive for 2010|Yearly archive page
What’s this mean?
In Environment, Spirituality on July 31, 2010 at 21:09
Beauty is all around us. It’s in everything. The question is not whether it exists in a person/place or not, but rather “am I looking deep enough?” Sometimes even “obvious” beauty beckons us to look deeper.
By now, you’ve probably already seen the viral video known as “Double Rainbow” (You know. The YouTube video where some hippy dude almost spontaneously combusts when he sees a rainbow in the Yosemite Valley). It’s hilarious, but also quite touching. The viewer gets an intimate glimpse of a man becoming overwhelmed by the majesty of beauty. He actually becomes so overwhelmed that he can’t help but cry out, “What’s this mean?!” (Check it out below)
Beauty beckoned him closer and required the question – “What’s this mean?” That’s because when we come in contact with true beauty, we engage with our creator- who is beauty. When we see a rainbow that captivates the soul, or even a person for that matter, we catch a glimpse of our heavenly father.
David understood the source and pure allure of beauty. He once said, ” This I will seek: to remain in the Lord’s house all the days of my life in order to gaze at the Lord’s beauty and to search for an answer in his temple.” The next time you see something beautiful appreciate it and know that there’s even more where that came from.
Turn up the Light
In Environment, Spirituality on July 21, 2010 at 00:36
Every summer in Southern California a phenomenon known as “June Gloom” occurs. June Gloom is a weather pattern that causes overcast skies during the early summer months. It lasts for days, or even weeks, depending on the year, and this year it decided to get an early start and stay a while.
I can manage gray skies when it’s winter, but it’s reprehensible during summer (Even if it does happen every year ). My brain says, “Summer = sun + heat,” while Mother Nature messes with my psyche seemingly indifferent to my logic. She was relentless this year.
Once July came and it was still gloomy outside, I had to make a decision. I had to reconcile my expectations. My “summer should be sunny” and my “June Gloom lasts no longer than June” expectation needed to shift. I was going to have to be patient and wait a little while longer for the sun to shine… which got me thinking… How often do we find ourselves waiting for the sun to shine?
As I waited, I realized that this was more than just waiting for the weather to get better. It was about allowing circumstance to determine my life instead of my character determining my circumstance. I was allowing the June Gloom to deter me from enjoying myself. My desire was to go outside and play, but I wasn’t allowing myself to do that until the weather got better, or until the conditions and circumstance met my expectations. I could have just as easily decided that summer starts when I want it to instead of waiting for the sun… but I didn’t.
This happens a lot. Not just with the weather, but in all aspects of life. It happens when we think we can’t live the way we desire until something changes or until conditions are perfect – “I know I’m a better employee than I’ve been, but I’ll do better at work when I am paid more,” or “I want to give more but I’ll do it once I’m wealthy.” I’m not saying that you shouldn’t desire more compensation or wealth. What I am saying is that those things should never deter you from being who you want or think you should be. Expectations are going to go unmet and circumstance aren’t always going to be favorable, but it’s what you do in those situations that matters most to those around you, as well as to yourself.
We are called people of light for a reason(1Thess. 5). Light doesn’t change whether it’s bright or dark out. It actually stands out more during poor circumstance. We can always find reasons to remain the same, but those with strong character realize that being who you know you should be starts now and not when conditions are perfect.
So what if it’s cloudy out? People need the sun… and maybe that’s you.
“But I know, somehow, that only when it is dark enough, can you see the stars.” - Martin Luther King Jr.
What’s the Solution to the Pollution?
In Environment, Social Justice on July 10, 2010 at 04:42
I can’t hear anymore news about the BP oil catastrophe. It’s like listening to a broken record that continues to grow louder and louder with each passing minute. Until finally, it shoots off the record player and decapitates a Bald Eagle. I actually think that’s a pretty accurate analogy. However, even if you think that doesn’t make sense … trust me, it makes more sense then the response, or lack thereof, to this oil spill.
The lack of response isn’t something that needs to be discussed. It’s obvious that something needs to be done, and it’s also obvious that no one knows what that “something” actually is. There have been ideas to lower a dome and capture the oil, drill more oil wells in order to relieve the flow, and even seek the advice and counsel of Kevin Costner. I don’t know about you, but I’m not feeling very confident in these approaches. We need to keep seeking.
So what is the solution? I have no idea. Maybe it is talking to celebrities or using human hair. The problem is big enough that it warrants ideas both far and wide. My hope is that “the” solution presents itself sooner rather than later because the gloomy newscasts and the online parodies are getting old… although this one parody did make me laugh (I actually think prayer is part of the solution).
One thing is certain in all this – Man is good at making messes. My fear is that this one is too big for us to clean-up.
Give it Away
In Community, Educational, Environment, Spirituality on June 22, 2010 at 03:44
I stumbled across this video today. Shel Silverstein’s children’s book, “The Giving Tree,” is one of my favorite stories of all time. It’s a story about love, and the selfless acts that follow someone, or something, who is motivated by it.
Love is not a self-seeking hoarder, but an extravagant altruist who never ceases to give. Here is the story of that love in one of it’s most basic forms:
Count Your Blessings
In Educational, People on June 9, 2010 at 06:16
There’s an excess of bad news these days – the BP oil catastrophe, economies going bankrupt, and still no peace in the Middle East. It never seems to end. We’re constantly bombarded with the failures of man and the hopelessness of prolonged suffering. Sometimes it’s hard to keep one’s head up in order to see the light at the end of the tunnel. However, being distracted from the light doesn’t mean it isn’t still there.
If you’ve felt heavy, frustrated, or depressed from all the bad news lately, then the following image will remind you of all the good in your life. Here’s something to be thankful for:
Disposable America
In Educational, Environment on May 28, 2010 at 05:48
I was recently reminded of how we love disposable products and the convenience they afford. It began with a conversation about environmentally friendly cleaning products and how using a reusable clothe towel when vanquishing dirt and grime instead of a single-use wipe would be most “green.” That conversation soon evolved into a mini-personal experiment where I began to examine all the disposable products I consume while a reusable alternative went untouched.
What was my most commonly consumed single-use item you ask? None other than the inglorious paper towel. If you put a roll of paper towels within an arm’s reach, I’ll devour them like a hippy and a bag of granola. They’re just too convenient. The next item on my list was disposable tableware like plates, cups and forks from restaurants. There are a lot of places that only offer “to-go” table and silverware even when you eat on-site. You know who I’m talking about…eh-hm…Starbucks. Last on my list was plastic bags. Many times I would get caught without my reusable tote and default to a plastic bag. Guilt would soon follow.
When I started assessing my lifestyle, I really noticed how often we’re offered single-use products. It happens every day in one form or another, and this is the result:
Annually, the US population discards:
- 16,000,000,000 diapers,
- 1,600,000,000 pens,
- 22,000,000,000 plastic water bottles,
- 100,000,000,000 plastic bags,
- 2,000,000,000 razor blades,
- 220,000,000 car tires,
- 25,000,000,000 Styrofoam coffee cups,
- And Enough aluminum to rebuild the US commercial air fleet four times over
The U.S. is the #1 trash-producing country in the world at 1,609 pounds per person per year. This means that 5% of the world’s people generate 40% of the world’s waste. Apparently, it’s not always good to be # 1.
Now, more than ever, is the time to consume less and reuse more. It’s the only way we’re going to go from trash-producing champion to sustainable leader.
Seasons
In Environment, Personal Health, Spirituality on May 22, 2010 at 01:55
Seasons come and seasons go. In the natural, we’re moving from Spring to Summer. Spring being a season full of new life, rebirth, and rejuvenation; and Summer being a season of decrease in one element (rain) and an increase in another (fire/sun).
We see the natural seasons change all the time, but how often do we take notice of our own personal season? We, like nature, are constantly going through transition. We find ourselves in times of abundance, accomplishment, and great results (fruit), as well as times of vulnerability, barrenness, and introspection. The former being an example of Spring and the latter being Winter.
It’s important to pay attention to the season God has you in. Each season has a lesson that you can only learn during its term. If you’re in a Winter season, which is a time to grow deeper roots and face storms, then it’s probably not a good time to plant new seeds or ideas and shy away from difficult circumstances. Moving in a season that you’re unaware of will cause you to run into problems and not have the ability to face and handle them with great results. That’s why we must grow in our ability to discern the season we’re in, as well as have the courage to stay in it until completion.
Understanding and working through a season consciously will yield the strength, faith, confidence, and courage needed to continue growing into your best.
The Words of Heroes
In Educational, People on May 12, 2010 at 18:50
The words of great men and women echo through the generations. Words alone can be both powerful and meaningful. Yet never is a word more meaningful than when it’s supported by action. The timeless quote goes ”actions speak louder than words,” but words supported by action resonate in the souls of men forevermore.
I can say something like an ”injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” and it may sound clever enough, but when you exchange my voice with Martin Luther King Jr’s (the man who actually said it) its impact goes from a quick spark to a raging blaze. The same words spoken by two different people, but one is more meaningful and lasting. Why? Allow me to point out the obvious. Because I’m me and he’s MLK. To put it another way, my words about injustice are backed only by my experience with injustice, which happens to be miniscule when compared to MLK’s.
Experience and action reveal the character and the integrity of a man. These become the building blocks and the very substance of his words. You don’t have to be MLK in order to have your words make a lasting impact on people. Like all great men and women, you only have to do life with integrity and allow the virtues within your character shine. When people see who you are, they’ll want to hear your words.
Here are my top 5 quotes for the current season I’m in:
1) “A man has honor if he holds himself to an ideal of conduct though it is inconvenient, unprofitable, or dangerous to do so. ” ~ Walter Lippmann
2) “It is in our lives and not our words that our religion must be read.” ~ Thomas Jefferson
3) “You are in integrity when the life you are living on the outside matches who you are on the inside.” ~ Alan Cohen
4) “If you judge people, you have no time to love them.” ~ Mother Teresa
5) “A strong mind always hopes, and has always cause to hope.”~ Thomas Carlyle
How do you contribute?
In Community, Educational, Personal Health, Spirituality on April 29, 2010 at 16:51
Scientific studies show that happy workers are productive workers. One of the keys for happiness in the work place is finding meaning or value in the work itself. Employees need to know that their contribution is making a positive difference in the world. It gives them a sense of purpose and meaning.
If this is true of the work place, then how much more true is it for life outside the cubicle? How much more important is it to contribute and find purpose outside of vocation?
In what ways do you believe you are making the world a better place? How do you contribute? What’s that look like?
