The pleasure of sitting still and being quiet.

My daughter, and my brother, having fun.

Since the very beginning of our lives, we live in a world of spinning excitement, which never quite stops for anything. There's a constant whirl of activity all around us. It seems we fill out lives with so much to do, that we never pause to let it just happen. Watch a baby, as they are incapable of large actions and don't interrupt with lots of talking, and you'll see they keenly observe everything. They want to be involved in the world, but can only interact in a limited way. Yet, they are a part of it all, even without dancing around. Just because you sit still, doesn't mean you're a lump of coal.

I think we forget to stop and be quiet. How frequently do you turn off everything and just sit still? My guess is you had to think about it for a while. Our lives swirl with activity, at times so intense we get headaches from the din. We pine for vacations and to get away from it all. Well, just sit down and relax, without any entertainment or chaotic noise. Anyone can do it. Anyone can take the time. Anyone is in the position, every day, to stop and relax. It's one of the healthiest activities we can undertake, and you'll find that stress doesn't quite pile up like it usually does.

The more technology marches forward, the more I find myself wanting to let less of it into my life. It's funny, because I'm a programmer, a tech nerd, and love computers. But, I also have noticed how there's less personal contact and less community than ever before. We know more about everything and less of everyone. I think my desire to sit quietly and peacefully is a reaction to this. I'd never want less technology, as it has provided a standard of living previously unknown, but I also recognize a need to slow down and enjoy life as it is. Take a moment to sit and be quiet, and listen and dream and live.

- M

Swear to me!

Movie tough guys are constantly roughing up baddies and demanding information. One of my favorites lines is when they say, "Swear to me!" Yup. That'll work. Terrified people will admit to anything. But, you also get the opposite end, where someone swears on their mother's grave. In this instance, the oath is a mighty pledge based on honor and reverence. Isn't it interesting how the same statement can be so different in context? That's one of the big reasons language is so difficult to decipher and is among the best secret codes you can make (I love making secret codes).

Batman being tough in "Batman Begins"

The funny thing is, we do this sort of thing constantly. Sarcasm is the fine art of saying what you don't mean and implying something else. Humor is a slippery subject, but I think we can all agree it's better to laugh than sulk. Don't take life too seriously. There's so much hilarity around us, and we fail to notice it most of the time. Swear to me you'll open your eyes! Swear to me!

Ha. That's actually lots of fun to say, though I can't imagine myself being a tough guy who punches baddies in the throat--I'm just a big cuddly teddy bear. Well, I doubt movies will change this sort of thing, but we can still laugh. That's the thing about language anyway, sometimes it's just too strange to take seriously. So, paste a smile on your face and just go along with it.

- M

The smell of fresh wax and candles.

We latch onto many things throughout our lives, and a great number of them are smells we associate with memories. Good or bad, these smells are powerful. For husbands, the fragrances our wives wear are intimately tied together with our love for them. The smells of childhood imprint on us so powerfully that we can be sent back to our youth with just a whiff. And then there are the smells we just like to have around: candles, cedar, evergreen needles, and many more.

I find it interesting how we build huge industries around fragrances of all kinds. How much money do we spend just to smell nice? What about candles for our homes? Our cars? It seems nearly every activity and location in our lives is filled with good smells. That means it's not just important, but essential to who we are as people. In fact, we even bury our loved ones with beautiful things surrounding them.

Knowing this, I think it's important to pay attention to what things are cherished by the people we care about. Scents make wonderful birthday presents, unexpected gifts, and sensational house warming presents. I prefer candles, because they come in a huge variety and are easy to turn on and off (fire is great for that you know). It's a fine fabulous feeling to give something special to friends and family. I promise.

- M