Teaching a new driver to drive and not becoming insane.

I'm now on my second child learning to drive. I'm only party insane now. I'm reminded of Bob Newhart's incredibly funny skit about the driving instructor. No, it's not that bad, really. So long as you (the parent) are keeping a good eye on the road and thinking a bit ahead of your student (child), then things go swimmingly Of course, being a new driver makes everything a tad unsteady. What I mean is, I find that learning to keep your hands apparently calm and not shrieking like a banshee helps beyond words.

All kidding aside, learning to drive is one of the greatest accomplishments of young adulthood. It's about the only rite of passage we have here in the United States, and it marks the first true liberation of a child. I'll never forget when our oldest daughter finally realized just how free it made her when she could borrow the car and go out to buy whatever she wanted. She didn't have to convince us anymore to take here somewhere, because she could just get the keys and go. Eureka!

Gradual steps toward the full responsibility of adulthood is a wonderful thing, but I must admit that learning to drive is right up there with being tossed into a sea of red ants and told to keep still. It's not easy. On one hand, you want to get up and go, and on the other hand you're worried about failure. But, you can only fly if you spread your wings and try. There's a life lesson somewhere ...

- M

Painting--portraits and landscapes, artistic and photographic, imagined and real

The art of painting has always fascinated me. It ranges from the purely abstract (I'll never understand how a blank canvas with a blue dot on it is art) to the lifelike realism of others. The ability to make a slathering of various colored paints look like anything at all is incredible, let alone an instantly recognized work. It reminds me of the famous quote of Michelangelo, when he was asked how he knew what to carve away (in reference to the statue of David). Michelangelo replied, "It's simple; I carve away anything that doesn't look like David." To have such a solid image in mind that it flows out onto the canvas is miraculous to me.

A drawing crafted by my eldest daughter

My oldest daughter paints, and we proudly display her work on our walls like any good parents would, but it's more than that. I see in her, and all my children actually, the ability to imagine in solid and visceral ways. To take your imagination and give it form is true art, and I applaud anyone willing to try and do their best. Who cares if it isn't understood? The fact that it was created is reward enough! Of course, even better is when people are willing to pay to posses it too.

Those of you who paint have my deepest respect. It's an incredible skill. And, don't let anyone dissuade you from trying your hand at it. Give it a go. Maybe you'll find a passion you never knew before. That's the greatest reward of most things in life--finding something new that excites you. So, pick up a brush, find a canvas, and go to work!

- M

Confidence beyond all reason

I've been re-watching the Harry Potter series of movies (I'm currently on number 6) and was struck by the scene where Harry pretends to pour Liquid Luck into Ron's drink. Within the story, Liquid Luck allows the imbiber to luckily make everything happen in their favor--like a magical rabbit's foot. Anyway, Harry doesn't actually put the stuff in Ron's drink, so Ron's success is actually only due to being supremely confident. All he needed was a confidence boost.

But, my question is, if someone is trusting an outside agent (magic potion, object, person, or whatever) to the extent they don't believe their own actions are their own, then is it truly confidence or something else? Put the same person in the same situation again and I bet the result comes out differently (because the person knows the outside agent isn't actually responsible). I've seen this happen myself and struggle to explain it, especially in physical challenges (like Ron being brilliant at goal keeping in that movie). It's easy to say the physical ability already existed, but perhaps it's not that easy.

So, here's my question: when someone thinks they aren't in control, but an outside agent is doing it for them, is anything possible? Can things be done beyond the capacity of the individual? Confidence does many things, but it isn't magic and sure won't make anyone superhuman. Still, it's hard to turn aside the many examples that seem otherwise. Supreme confidence in my mind is a true magic trick--possibly the only real magic in the world. With it you can accomplish nearly anything. It's amazing to witness and even more so to experience personally. I believe, in the end, it isn't luck but you who make things happen.

- M

Wrapping Christmas presents

Wrapping presents is a chore for me. For some reason I end up with something like a lollipop no matter what I wrap. It's the ends that get me; I always have too much. And presents that aren't square frustrate the life out of me, because no matter what I do it's just a mess. So, I use a lot of boxes to hold the gift and wrap that instead. We all have our tricks, and mine is very basic.

 

Back when malls were still all over the place, they had services to gift wrap whatever you had purchased and they even did it free of charge for the most part. It was incredible watching these people whip the wrapping together and put a custom bow on it. Amazing! It was like watching a finely choreographed dance. People who are incredibly talented at what they do completely inspire me.

 

That brings me to a favorite series of web videos, and that's the "People are Awesome" series. These videos show people doing almost unbelievable things, one after another--in rapid-fire succession. Pretty much any athletic skill is represented, and what is shown will blow your mind. To see someone throw a basketball off a high-rise building and make a perfect bulls eye is hard to fathom, but so is watching a guy snuff a candle using a playing card from 10 feet away. Incredible.

 

Here's the video that started the sensation:

 

- M

Lindsey Stirling, Peter Hollens, and Pentatonix

My taste in music is odd for sure, but I've really enjoyed these three groups. Lindsey Stirling is a current darling of YouTube (having chalked up well over half a Billion views!), and Peter Hollens (who does unbelievable a cappella) is an earlier collaborator with her. Pentatonix won a television competition and also do unaccompanied vocals--I especially enjoy their Daft Punk medley.. What fascinates me is how these three groups are able to succeed through the power of the Internet. They are reaching all over the world, and it's driven by people finding their videos online and supporting them. I love it!

It's fun trying to figure out how things go viral. Why do certain groups blast into stardom, while others muddle along? How is it that some books never have a following, despite being really good, yet others become sensations no matter their quality? Fads come and go, as all things do, but it doesn't stop us from guessing what's the next one. Look up the "Pet Rock" some time. That was pure genius, not because of the rock but because of the incredible instruction manual. Talk about creative use of advertising skill!

For me, I'll continue supporting new talent. My joy is watching their stars rise. Lindsey Stirling has been great fun to see go from her first shy videos to a seasoned performer who captures audiences with the wave of her violin. Check out her YouTube channel. And, while your at it, check out Peter Hollens and his wife. That's pure enjoyment right there.

- M