Castles, ruins, and imposing places of strange beauty.

Throughout the world are places of huge structures and strange beauty. If you've ever been inside a castle, there's a sense of hugeness you don't get anywhere else. But, large ruins offer a similar feeling, such as the Parthenon, the mind-boggling scale of Mayan buildings, and the Pyramids in Giza (not ruins, but at least a tomb). Human activity is bewildering. Modern structures tower into the sky in ways our ancestors couldn't have imagined. Yet, walking amongst moss encrusted blocks of stone still evokes a pensive mood. It's a good time to reflect on what we've accomplished.

A modern creation, and you could buy it for $45 million! What a deal!

How long will our current structures survive? What record will exist of what we did? Certainly strong places will remain, though it's surprising what's strong and what isn't--roads and highways are overgrown so quickly it dizzies the mind. It's a good exercise to consider such questions in all areas of life, because it provides a sense of perspective to life. After all, everything needs a beginning and end.

For me, castles are more than structures of defense. They are places of fantasy, heroics, imagination, and romance. Yup, not true to reality, but I don't care. These buildings aren't common, are ridiculously expensive to create, and are impractical defensive structures in current warfare. So, why would I have dreams of owning one? Well, I've always wanted secret passages and hidden rooms. I imagine castles are loaded with such places ... and if not, well, I can dream can't I?

- M

Sometimes, it only takes a birdsong to cheer you up.

All my life, I've relished the nature around me. Sadly, I'm often allergic to it as well, but I don't let that get me down. It's fun watching ants, listening to the birds, playing in the water, and finding shapes in the clouds. Birdsong is generally recognized to be cheerful and lovely to hear, it's incredible how they never miss a note and are constantly happy to belt their songs out to the whole world. Then there's the glorious sound of flowing water, wind through trees, waterfalls, smelling flowers, and the list goes on.

I wonder why we don't simply sit back and enjoy nature more often? We rush to and fro, doing many important things, yet hardly spare the time to take in the glories everywhere else. However, nature gets along just fine and is always there when we finally open our eyes. I heartily encourage everyone to relax in the glories of the natural world (except mosquitoes, the little winged monsters). When I was little, we took many vacations just to see natural wonders--the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, many mountains, the Great Plains, and even Carlsbad Caverns (a magnificent hole in the ground).

One of my great regrets is that I haven't given the same gift of experience to my children. Vacations just haven't worked out all that often, though we have had some. Spending time with your family is important, and if you can include a grand wonder then so much the better. Missing that, you can easily go outside, grill some hamburgers, and play in the grass. Then, sit back and find animals and teapots in the clouds. Nature is fun!

- M

If you hear the story of the song, before the song, then how can you not be moved?

Have you ever seen a competition where the contestant tells an incredibly heartfelt story about how they got to the point where they are? I find it particularly poignant when a televised singing competition does this, because the story influences the song in a significant manner. The song wouldn't be nearly as effective without the story behind it, and it impacts the singing as well. The power of connection between singer and audience is mesmerizing. If I were a judge, it'd be incredibly hard not to praise anyone who drags themselves up from the muck and grime of a hard life.

There's a story behind this, I promise...

That's why I'm so passionate about stories, in any form. Stories forge connections faster than anything else. Why else do we beg our grandfathers to tell us stories of olden days and times they've experienced. We want to hear them, to hear the emotions and the depth. The funny thing is, the story doesn't even need to be all that significant, like how kicking a stone back and forth lead to the love of your life. We need stories as much as we need air to breathe. Life is held within stories.

It's no surprise that contestants with a powerfully emotional story to tell are commonly passed on to the next stage. Audiences adore a rags-to-riches tale. We have a deep desire to see people succeed in the most improbable ways, because in some way we hope to attain the same notoriety. There's a hidden need to do something great in our lifetimes. So, in the lack of that moment, we tell stories to create those dynamics anyway. And, so, we change the world one story at a time, and I'm glad to say it works.

- M

Fear is a great motivator.

I doubt anybody enjoys being afraid. I'm not talking about spooky stories that give you shivers, but true and stark terror. Being in combat is one example. Finding yourself inside a burning house is another. Adrenalin surges through your system, your hands shake, time slows down, everything becomes very sharp and stark. When you're truly afraid, you search out any possibility to make yourself safe, regardless of how crazy the ideas are. Fear is a fantastic motivator.

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Some professions require people to walk the realm of fear on a daily basis, to charge into the teeth of death itself and not look back. Bravery barely touches the inner fortitude of such men and women. One aspect of heroic stories that I always find fascinating is how the hero finds their bravery. Is it learned, born, forced? Is it like leadership? Perhaps an innate talent or gift?

Perhaps our awe of bravery is tied with our fear of the unknown. I do think it's true that most people idolize extreme bravery, yet also hope they themselves never need to perform such acts. Beating fear is a constant goal, and a good one to be sure, because we human beings hate limitations. We don't like being stopped by our own weakness, so we push at the barrier of fear throughout our lives. Sure, it's good to be afraid of a charging lion or twisting tornadoes, but there are instances where those fears must be faced and overcome. Life isn't safe and never will be, so let your fears motivate you to greater heights.

- M

Love is incredible.

Image by: Amanda

I am married and my wife has given me three incredible children. I was thinking about love, and thought back on parenting advice I've often heard: "Don't have a favorite child." I was confounded by the concept. It didn't seem possible. Yet, as a father, I can honestly say my love is total for each of my children. My heart isn't split four ways. It's full. I love them all completely, unequivocally, and without condition. You see, love is like that. You can love all of your children with your whole heart. If you are blessed with another child, your heart will embrace the gift absolutely and won't break. It's a miracle of life.

I'll never forget the births of my children. My wife and I happily counted the days until the expected time, then struggled through the process, and finally a fresh life entered the wide world. I can't imagine another time when such overwhelming love will wrap around me. Breathtaking. The yearning and joy and hope which infuses a crying and wriggling little baby is mind boggling. Yet, no matter how many are added, your heart happily adds another without missing a beat. There is never-ending room inside the wellspring of love. What an incredible gift love is!

Maybe this is why we value love so highly? True love is cherished and treasured, while betrayal of that love is hated and despised. It's a sign of something greater in our lives, and we yearn for it. Greek tragedies often center around the single concept of lost love, and modern romances are practically dripping with it. Love crosses all barriers, brings us closer, and binds us in ways too deep to express.

I have an answer to an old riddle: "What do you give the person who has everything?"

Give them love.

- M

Tribute to fathers

We all have fathers to thank for our lives. It's tragic that not everyone has a father around them, due to myriad circumstances. Fathers teach us so much about men and what it means to grow up. They provide the boundaries and discipline we require to mature. In the ideal, fathers are intimately connected in our lives, are always available and caring. Sure, fathers aren't perfect, nobody is, but their influence on our lives is enormous and lasting.

I think back on my childhood and my father is always a big part. He's my personal hero. I hope one day to be the man he is. Whenever I'm facing a huge decision, I want to know what he thinks. His advice is worth the effort, and there is nobody I want to impress more than him. Being a father myself, I keenly feel the responsibility and pressure to be the best I can be. It's not easy, simple, or applauded for the most part, but the reward is massive.

Amusingly, I promised myself that I wouldn't be the sort of dad who would do long speeches about stuff ... well, my kids have made it clear I've become well known for my speeches. Ah well. My reason is simply to instruct, and sometimes it takes a bit of time to express such things. Apparently dads are like that, so who am I to break tradition now? My deepest hope is to raise children with respect, compassion, and the strength to deal with life. That's what Father's Day means to me.

Happy Father's Day!

- M

Lessons from my brother

My brother, the pilot

My brother is a pilot. The enormity of that statement is pretty incredible, since I can't think of a single time in my life when he wanted to be anything else. He was a military pilot first and has now moved into commercial piloting. I have no doubt he is in the top echelon of ability (as he proved so well in the military that he became an instructor pilot and did the check rides of all the base officers). But, watching him reach and grasp his dream isn't all of what he taught me.

Despite all our arguing, fights, antagonizing, pestering, chiding, bullying, yelling and generally acting like siblings, my brother taught me the importance of many things. He demonstrated a vast love of reading (though he is a speed reader and I cherish every word), gave me the ability to analyze situations for possible gains, instilled a deep yearning for protecting those I care about, showed me that two people working together are far better at making things happen than a single person alone, and probably the most important of all: that brothers stick together forever.

I regret the times I haven't felt this way. Yes, as a child we were cruel to each other, as siblings often are, but I'm more mature now and I have set those memories aside. I love my brother. Because of him, I know there is always a man I can turn to for help and support. We don't talk as much as I'd like, though we nearly always find something to laugh about when we do. Life just wouldn't be the same without him.

For those of you with brothers and sisters, I pray you will cherish them with all your being. Life is uncertain and often tragic. What a shame it would be to lose them, with thoughts unsaid or love unexpressed. Poetically speaking, your family shares your heartbeat and feel your pains and triumphs in equal measure. Let them know.

- M

I despise endings and goodbyes

Have you ever gotten to the end of a book and immediately looked for the next part? If you love a story, then you don't want it to end. You want to see more of the world, hear the next adventure of the heroes, or simply want to hang out with them some more. It's awful to reach the end and know there's nothing more. I well remember when "Return of the Jedi" ended, I was satisfied and torn and wanted to keep experiencing the Star Wars universe. Because of that, I read many of the novels and comics that came out, simply to extend my time in their world. Love is like that.

The final part of a story is typically called the anti-climax--because it's the bit immediately following the exciting climax--and is where plot threads get wrapped up and characters are set free to go on their way. Mostly these segments are short and to the point, to lessen the pain of saying goodbye. There are types of stories that never fully say goodbye (any series with a recurring character is a good example). I think this may be the reason for the incredible surge of long-running movie franchises. I can't imagine any other reason why we've seen the continuing success of the Marvel movies (aside from having some really fun stories).

Audiences enjoy falling in love with characters who last more than a single story, who can influence their worlds, and who matter for the long term. My first love is certainly the hobbits from the Lord of the Rings books, particularly Sam and Frodo. It's refreshing to see a greater acceptance for extended stories, even ones that last for over 10 years (such as the Marvel movies). Maybe this means that people's attention spans are finally growing? I hope so.

- M

Remembering the fallen

Today is the anniversary of the Normandy invasion, the largest amphibious assault in world history. The heroes who died that day saved the world from tyranny and untold darkness. I've seen documentaries, read biographies, and listened to testimonies of that day and it never fails to make the hairs on my neck stand up. Today was filled with heroics I cannot fathom, terror I hope I never understand, hope and vision and stubbornness and pain. I thank God for their sacrifice, and I pray it is always remembered. Today, we thank our fallen heroes.

We remember Normandy

D-Day, Omaha beach

- M

The blindness of spectacle

A trend in many modern stories is for spectacle. What I mean is it's not the story as a whole that's the big draw, but certain portions and even little set pieces. Movies are of particular note, since everything is visual enticement. Movie previews love to show "money shots" where something impressive is happening, but these spectacles don't make a story--frequently they totally detract from the plot, in the vain search for heightened emotions. The problem is that spectacle can blind the audience to the otherwise lack of depth in the story. Sure, an audience is dazzled by what's happening, but when they reflect on their experience they'll discover a profound lack of substance. That's the danger.

Stories are a series of events strung together in meaningful ways. Memorable scenes are touchstones for a good story, but shouldn't be based upon them. Stich them together and let the audience decide what should be the spectacles. Of course, it's hard not to make a spectacle out of something like the Battle of Helms Deep (Lord of the Rings), or the sinking of the Titanic, or the sunset of twin suns in Star Wars. It's magical when these things happen naturally and I'm dazzled by authors who manage the trick.

My favorite stories roll along like unstoppable juggernauts, where the heroes are barely keeping up and the villain is pulling all the strings. Well, the other way around is fun too, I fully admit. All that really matters is having a good time and being entertained. We search out stories to step away from life for a little while. It's escapism. So, like beauty, a story is in the eye of the beholder. If it works, then who cares if it follows the rules.

- M