Timeless beauty.

Standards of beauty are fickle, right? Fashion trends change practically daily, and we are told, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder." That's all correct. But, it's also totally wrong. There is timeless beauty around us daily: flowers, sunsets, sunrises, clouds, birds, the geometry of nautilus shells, the pattern of planets around the sun, musical wind, thunderstorms, rain, fresh air. In the eye of the beholder? Who can find fault in the glory of warm sunlight on the skin? That's timeless beauty, and all we need to do is pay attention. Isn't that incredible?



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Why do we value beauty so much? Aside from being pleasant to look at, is there any other reason? Advertisers spend billions on models who strut around wearing products. Movies, generally speaking, feature attractive actors playing the parts. Smiling beauties sell more stuff than frowning ordinary people. There's something in our brains that responds favorably to beauty with an endorphin surge. There's quite literally a physical reaction to beauty. You see this in various ways: pupils dilating, posture straightening, smiles, and a whole host of other responses. Have you ever bent over to smell the flowers? That's a positive response.

And, yet, we go around scoring beauty wherever we find it. Flowers aren't colorful enough, the babbling brook isn't quite the right sound, our hair isn't curly or is too curly, the sunset is too red. Actually, I bet we complain about nearly every aspect of beauty, while simultaneously being jealous of it at the same time. We battle this impulse by acknowledging timeless beauty, that never changes and is always gorgeous. And, there's beauty in actions as well: the warm hugs of family, a champion's graciousness to those behind, the helping hands of rescuers, and the strong shoulders of comforters. When you discover timeless beauty, spend a few moments to cherish the experience. It's well worth the effort and time.

- M

I am so very happy to live in the time I'm in now, at this moment ... in time.

I often hear people say that times were better in the past, before everyone got in such a hurry. While this is an interesting perspective, I really don't want to go back to the days of no indoor air conditioning, ice boxes, horse and buggy, or writing with quills. If you want the sensation of those times, there are places you can go to experience it and then return to the modern world. Sure, people weren't as rushed, and that's not good, but also didn't live as long as we do now. Science has advanced to the point where we are thinking very seriously of populating other planets! Incredible.

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The point I hope to make is that we enjoy looking back on days of our youth with eyes colored by nostalgia and happy memory. While I agree that our lives are invariably simpler as children, the times are certainly better today than ever before. The technology available to us is dizzying. I do understand that many places don't have access to these wonders, and for that I'm truly sad. Wouldn't it be grand if everyone had whatever they needed? But, the world doesn't work that way, does it?

Despite our feelings, time marches on and on and on. Unless we stop inventing things, technology will also march forward, as will our desire for more. Isn't it funny how happiness and contentment change when we see new things? However, there are many advances which only came about due to dissatisfaction with the statue quo. Is it bad to improve things? Of course not. That's why I'm very happy to live in the now and not in the then ... in time ... I mean present ... the current ... today.

- M

Games are dreams given form, and are great for working your brain too!

Do you play games? I'm not only talking about electronic games, cellphone games, video games, crossword puzzles, puzzle books, or board games. Nope, I mean any game at all. Children naturally play constantly, as it's their method of exploring interactions and the world around them. But, adults normally only play formal games of sport or video. Yes, we do get together at parties and play Charades or other goofy things, yet they never really rise beyond the silly.

Yup, Chutes and Ladders, Checkers, Hide and Seek, and the inimitable Tag are games not only of mind and body, but dreams. Dreams are the soul of our childhoods. I wanted to be an astronaut. My brother wanted to be a fighter pilot. When we played games we often did exactly those things. Sure, the game might be Uno, but in our minds we were flying around and destroying galactic interlopers and shooting down bad guys. It's amazing what the imaginations of the truly inspired can come up with.

I do my best to inspire imagination with the stories I write, but games do a far better job than I ever will. No, I don't want to regress to childhood, like a modern Peter Pan, since I really like being an adult. What I do hope is for people to enjoy their lives more. You don't need to be serious all the time. Have a bit of fun. Let your dreams out of captivity once in a while and see what fun you can have. Play a game!

- M

Sitting on a chair, watching the day go bye...

My wife loves to sit outside, especially on the porch, and sew and watch and listen. I'd bet she would happily do that all day long, if she could. I'm not sure how often it happens these days, but when I was growing up it was common to see older folks sitting on their porches and waving to the kids on the sidewalk--then yell at them for getting on their grass. Have we become so time centered and micro-managed that we can't even stop to smell the roses? That's a true shame.

I was busted for daydreaming quite a bit when I was young. I still love letting my mind wander. There's magic in imagination, just as there is in watching children play in a puddle. When did it become wrong to enjoy it? Spending time to take in the world around us should be a priority in life, don't you think? Maybe we've lost the sight to see the magic? Or, is it simply that we can't be bothered? It'd be good to force everyone to take a day off, sit on their porch, and experience a single day of uninterrupted life. I can only imagine the good it'd do for us all.

Children do this spectacularly well, probably because it's new to them and they want to experience it all. Kids are fascinated by ants, and bubbles, and birds, and clouds, and ... well, anything and everything. I don't, however, comprehend what is so great about mud, but every child I know plays far too long and hard in the slimy stuff. Mud pies??? Yuck.

Take a day and find out what you've been missing by being too busy. Live a little.

- M

Living another person's life...

An incredible aspect of stories is how audiences are given the opportunity to live another person's life through the tale. It's pretty incredible when you think about it. What I find particularly noteworthy is how we aren't limited by time, place, gender, or species. I've loved being a rabbit, dragon, spaceman, alien, and many different historical figures. How else can we enjoy such travels? It's incredible.

Beyond the escapism of being someone else, don't forget the teaching aspects. We learn a lot by watching other people's lives, even if it's only a story. I'm not talking about directly instructing the listener, but showing the actions and consequences. Let life speak for itself, and hopefully we'll pick up the important things about it.

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Finally, when we experience another viewpoint, the entire world shifts under the new eyes. We broaden our perspectives, learn new cultures, and grow new appreciation for the universe we inhabit. I think it's one of the most important aspects of stories, and the biggest reason why they remain important everywhere in the world. In a sense, stories are the breath of life.

- M

Sleep my pretty! And, dream of lollipop rainbows...

I don't remember most of my dreams. I know some people do, and that you can train yourself to do so, but I'm fine with letting those nighttime wanderings remain a mystery. There is the thought that some genius ideas float away with wakefulness, though I highly doubt they really are as wonderful as my unconscious mind believes--I have written some down and then wish I hadn't ... they were terrible. Dreams can be a whole lot of fun though, especially when you take control and gallop along with an imagination free from all restraint.

The human body apparently requires dreaming for full rest. So far as I can determine, science still hasn't figured out exactly what the REM state of sleep does for us--experiments have demonstrated people become very messed up without it. It's been theorized the brain sorts the previous day's memories at this time and basically trims the fat and keeps the important stuff. Maybe. Personally, I bet it's a lot more complicated than that, and most likely involves the brain performing maintenance activities not possible during wakefulness.

Whatever the mechanics of dreaming, I'm glad we can do it. Our imaginations are given free reign during sleep. We create vast worlds, do incredible things, and don't worry about the consequences of anything at all. It's very freeing. Well, at least when dreams are nice and fun (nightmares not so much, so I'll just ignore those). Dreams demonstrate how we never truly lose our imaginations, no matter how stuffy and grown up we become. Just go with it. Let your dreams bear you away to lands beyond time and space!

- M

Time keeps slipping past ...

Another year has breezed past my grasping fingers, leaving me another year older and hopefully wiser. I do feel proud that this year I at least noticed it was my birthday. If you've ever seen the movie, "Groundhog Day," you'll understand how fun it would be to rewind the days and maintain your own learning ... I could learn languages, teach myself to paint, read all the books on my shelves, and loads of other things! However, since reality constantly slaps me across the jaw, I will trudge along and cram as much into my brain as possible.

Thinking about time naturally brings me to time travel. Would I want to use it, if time travel were available? Absolutely, yes! I think it would be fun, exciting, and every bit as crazy as Doctor Who would suggest. But, there's the inevitable issue of someone messing up the time stream. Well, there's lots of theory about what would actually happen, and I have my own favorites too. Safe to say, I doubt time travel will ever happen to the extent science fiction has shown. Pity. I'd love having my own pet triceratops.

The real question becomes, "what are you doing with the time available to you?" Not to get too philosophical here, but it's hard not to be. Time is a resource we'll never have any more of, nor any less of. Love the moment. Try to live with few regrets. Work hard and play hard. Use suntan lotion...

- M

Fun in the snow

Like many children, I remember making snow angels, snowball fights (not with icy snow though, that's mean), snow caves, snow forts, and simply diving into snow drifts. I lived where there was lots of snow and sorely miss it these days. My children did get an opportunity to experience a genuine white-out blizzard though--and I made sure they got out in it and remembered the experience. I think snow is beautiful and inspiring. It's pure magic for a kid.

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Of course, as you grow older, you find yourself driving in the snow and it's a lot less enjoyable. Well, many people think so, but I'm not one of them. I love driving in snow and ice, and have gotten pretty good at it. Deep snow isn't fun to walk through and it sure isn't fun to scoop out a driveway full of the stuff. But, it's all worthwhile when you look out your back windows and see a lawn of shining snow. Trees and shrubs look astounding with a nice coat of snow and ice. Something deep inside us marvels at simple beauty and we shouldn't turn aside when we experience it.

 

I talk a lot about recapturing the joys of childhood because we adults forget too easily. There's nothing wrong with sitting down and watching anthills, or listening to thunderstorms, or marveling at a shooting star. We lose the wonder, the joy, the thrill of discovery, and delirious fun of being alive. So, find some snow and jump in. Flail your arms, make a snow angel, and don't mind that you're getting wet. Have some fun!

 

- M

Simple pleasures

Something I've tried to cultivate in my life is noticing little wonders and curiosities. Flowers, ant hills, clouds, sunsets and sunrises, the sound of water crossing stones. Peace and quiet. Silence. There are times when it's good to sit by yourself and let the world spin on without you. It's a simple pleasure, and increasingly rare to find and even harder to appreciate.

We watch children and laugh at their fascination with ant hills. Yet, why shouldn't they be amazed? The world is fresh and wonderful to their senses. If you take the time to notice, you'll never stop finding amazing things. I wish we could all see the world that way.

So, why is it hard to enjoy the simple pleasures? Do we think it unearned? Or, maybe because it's simple, it isn't good? I'm not sure. Or, is it because we're in such a hurry and can't take the time out of our schedules? Whatever the reason, spend some time and find one thing each day to be excited about. Call it an investment in your future.

- M

Take me to the heights of beauty and power, give me music.

Since the earliest days I can remember, I've listened to music. It's taught me about beauty, form, majesty, imagination, power, suffering, pain, loss, and basically every emotion possible to conceive. If there's one thing that separates us from the animals, I think it's our ability to create music. Have you ever really thought about how complicated a simple song is? Then consider a symphony! Yes, music is a language, but I think music is capable of expression far beyond any form of spoken language. There's depth of feeling you cannot otherwise create, accompanied by a force which tears the soul and builds it up again.

 

When I learn of another culture, one of the first things I want to know is their music. We all gravitate toward what we enjoy and like, so our preferred music is an expression of ourselves. Actually, it's probably safe to say that a culture's art is a glimpse into the culture's very soul. NASA sent a record (gold "vinyl" LP album) with lots of music into space--yes, there's more to it, but music is racing through the cosmos as you read this.

The "Voyager Golden Record"

There've been times I wished I could write music, but I'm not jealous or upset that I don't. I can create fun little tunes with whistling and that keeps me happy. By the way, if you haven't learned to whistle then you must begin right now and get a taste of true musical freedom. I'm in awe of the people who create my favorite music. You can quickly discern if music has true emotion behind it, or is only faking it. The human ear detects fakery quickly and harshly (which may be why AutoTune is disliked). I suggest getting a grand musical composition and spending some time alone, listening and enjoying the music.

 

- M

Classic stories we should all read ... but haven't.

I'll be honest here. I've never read "Moby Dick." I know I should, but my experience is the Cliff Notes and movie variety. Also, I haven't read James Joyce's "Ulysses." "Anna Karenina," "Doctor Zhivago," or "Pride and Prejudice." I have read "Les Misérables" though, so I can still clap myself on the back. But, I haven't read "The Right Stuff" or "War and Peace," so I won't make much show about it.

Morgan library in New York

There are so many classics to read! Sometimes I wish we all could have a few repeating days, like in "Groundhog Day," so we could read all those books we never had time for. Or, I could learn to speed read, since it is possible to teach yourself. But, I love taking my time and allowing scenes to develop behind my eyes, so I basically chew on the words. To me it's more about the journey than the facts and details of the story. So, I'll sip a little now and again to keep my bucket list of books from overflowing.

 

Do you have any books you wish you had read, but haven't? Hopefully there are a few classics in the list. Well, even if not, reading is good for you. The more the better. Actually, it's amazing there's so many stories out there. I wonder if anyone's counted them? I'll bet it's more than 10, or even 50. Millions? Wouldn't it be amazing to read them all?

 

- M

Believing the unbelievable

The musical "Man of La Mancha" (inspired by the book "Don Quixote") has a magical song in it, "To Dream the Impossible Dream" (this version is probably the most magnificent, and it was live!). The character singing is answering the question of why he keeps going when all seems idiotic and destined to fail. You see, in his view it's the questing that is the point, not necessarily the end goal. To reach without looking back and never giving up. It's a fantastic viewpoint. The other characters don't understand, but they'll eventually learn.

 

What really incredible about people like this, they inspire those around them. Sure, some dreams are foolish (like wanting so ever much to turn the Moon to cheese) or hopelessly unrealistic ("I'll drink the ocean dry!"), yet who are we to demand anyone stop and give up. Is there worth in going after ridiculousness? I used to think not, but now I'm not so sure. Isn't the quest itself worthwhile? In all likelihood, the seeker will realize the goal isn't a good one, but in seeking they improve themselves in ways no one could ever have imagined.

 

Dreams, hopes, goals, imaginings; aren't they all a form of believing the unbelievable? Who could ever have guessed the outcomes of our most famous celebrities when they were young and naïve? Somewhere, sometime, belief in the impossible came true and changed the very nature of the world. Yes, one person can change the world. I truly believe that to my core. Why not you? Why not now? Believe the unbelievable!

 

image credit by John Hales

- M

Where did time go? Actually, where did the year go?

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As a little twirp of a kid, I thought time passed on rusty bearings. It seemed it was never time for recess, or the trip to the zoo took forever, or I was always waiting in lines. Nothing happened as quickly as I wanted. I'm guessing we've all felt the same way as children. We want to race around and have fun, yet time slumps past at the speed of a snail. And our parents are completely unaware--actually, they always tell us to slow down! Yup, for a kid, a single day could be measured on a yearly calendar.

However, as we age we gain new perspective. I'm not entirely sure why, though. Is it because of a growing wealth of experience? Is it because we slow down ourselves and our perception of things slows down as well? I'm not sure, but I couldn't even chase time down with a stopwatch now--the hours flitter past and are gone before I even notice. There's not enough time for what I want to accomplish. So, what happened? Did the universe rearrange itself in the last forty years? I'm inclined to think it has.

If the speed of light is relative to the observer, then is time as well? Physics agrees, but I'm talking about perception and not math. When you're busy, time flies, but when you're bored then time crawls. It's seemingly all about how engaged your mind is during your tracking of time. The more I study the phenomenon of time, the more I believe we could actually stop time if we wanted; watch a raindrop splatter against a windshield, or tap a butterfly between flaps of its incredible wings. Sure, I'm imagining, but why not? Wouldn't it be neat to slow time to an actual crawl and walk between the blinks of the world?

- M

Maps and ancient lands...

Part of my childhood was spent staring at maps. Old, new, distant, near. I didn't care. I just like them. I love the shapes of nature (especially coastlines) and how it all fits together. It still impresses me. One of my favorites is still the map of the "Lonely Mountain" in the beginning of "The Hobbit." I love the simplicity and the mystery--maps with secret codes, neat! Probably because of it I still draw my own and still enjoy secret languages.

Fantasy worlds typically have their own maps, hopefully done in such a way so the reader can reference it easily. The popular "Game of Thrones" world is like that, and is vast and complex and has all sorts of interesting nooks and crannies. I think it gives a nice little nudge to the imagination and helps the audience accept the world faster and with fewer complications. Of course, then the story must match the map, but I think it helps more than it hurts. Without a map, the world is a hopeful generalization, imagined better or worse by the varied audiences.

One thing I'd love to collect is a really old, ancient, map of verified authenticity. Well, maybe two or three, but still old and filled with uncertainty. And, beside them hopefully a map of the "Lonely Mountain." And, perhaps a sword or two, maybe a shield, and a poleaxe. Perhaps some wood panels, shelves, a lift to another floor, railings, and books everywhere in shelves to the ceiling. Yup, I have my dream room already designed.

This is the writer's annex of my dream office.

- M

Reaching for a dream

On balance, having a dream to strive for is better than having nothing. Of course, realistic dreams are even better (though whoever determined going to the moon wasn't realistic never met Neil Armstrong). In the end, it only matters if you believe it's possible. Who's to tell you that you're wrong? Either prove them wrong, or beat the dream into pieces and build on the fragments. Shattered dreams are every bit as worthwhile as successful ones, perhaps more so because failure teaches far more about your abilities than success. Fight for your dream. Fight with every breath you have and every ounce of strength you possess. Nobody is a failure if they keep striving. You only fail once you stop and give up!

The great Winston Churchill, former Prime Minister of Britain, gives incredible counsel with this, "Never give in, never give in, never; never; never; never - in nothing, great or small, large or petty - never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense." We all face times of testing--when it seems the whole world is focused on destroying every dream of ours and reducing us to smoking ash. My dad once told me that great tribulation reveals the truth about yourself. How easily do you give up on your dreams? I hope you don't. Life is too short to waste it on pity and slouching around. Get up and chase after whatever you set your sights on.

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I think there's never enough hope and dreaming. I fully believe that when we chase after our dreams, we make the world a better place. We become optimists and don't accept defeat or setbacks. Maybe it's not the only answer to lost hope, but everyone benefits from having people around going after what seems impossible. Dreamers lift up and challenge us, prod us to do better, and get us going when we're down.

So, find your dream and chase it! See what happens next!

- M

Flying. How could it be any better?

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My favorite way to travel by a long shot is flying. I love it. I especially enjoy the blast toward the horizon during takeoff. Mankind has dreamt of soaring the skies for so long, but it's still one of our favorite dreams. I can't count the number of times I've dreamt of flying, and it never gets old.

Psychologists have a raft of reasons for the desire of flight, and I'm not interested at all. What's important to me is how fantastic the feeling of letting go of the ground and drifting on the wings of eagles comes to be. In a plane you only feel the power of the engines and the shuddering of the cabin in flight, but in dreams you feel everything. Skydiving is likely the only thing even coming close to the fun in dreams. There's also a wingsuit which allows you to glide in a kind-of flying sort of way (it's more like falling gracefully).

I think we crave the freedom to fly because we equate it with ultimate freedom of movement. Watching birds fly, I totally understand. It's magical, seeing a creature leap into the air and vanish into the sky. There's joy in those wings of a sort we can only guess. The funny thing is, birds have no idea how special they are and how much we jealously desire their abilities. Maybe it's just our nature to be jealous.

Either way, if you ever have the opportunity to fly (in dreams or otherwise), I highly recommend it. Live a little extra and fly the skies!

- M

Flying... in giant metal tubes

There are few modern things as undeniably wonderful as flying. Sure, we use giant metal machine to accomplish it, but the reality is we fly in the air faster than birds ever imagined. The feeling of lifting off the ground and soaring through the sky is indescribable. It's one of the highlights of my year anytime I get to do it. One of my dreams is to get my private flying license and get to do that all the time. That and parachuting. It's one of those things.

The thrill of flying is so deeply ingrained in our race that we won't stop until we populate the stars. We've already gone to the Moon, and plans are to go to Mars. Does anyone doubt that it won't stop until we have gone literally everywhere? And why not? We climb mountains because they exist, go to the deepest oceans because we can. So, of course we'll fly throughout space.

I doubt my dream of going to space will ever be realized, but I would like to go underwater. That's much more likely. And, going underwater has as many risks as space travel, since the environment is every bit as hostile as a vacuum. But, it's not the danger that I want to experience. It's being in another world. I love new experiences, and the worlds underwater are incredible. Flying is one I know, and love each time, but I always want to reach for something new. That's what makes life so special. New things. New replacing the old.

Live life to the fullest. Every day.

- M

Nowhere else to turn, no other way, no option, take the leap ... and fly!

Youth has the unparalleled ability to look at a problem, turn it on it's side and let go. Why bother figuring it out when you can drop it entirely and jump over it? Anything is possible, and nothing is too far beyond reach. I envy that attitude. Age jades us, dulls the thrill of risk, and makes us more concerned with risk ratios than throwing out any caution and going for it. But, anyone can still capture that desperate freedom of letting it all fall away and leaping past that cliff of doubt.

 

We see this happening a lot on the type of "live" reality shows such as X-Factor, The Voice, World's Got Talent (not just America, if you didn't know), and so many others. People going in front of the whole world and demonstrating their talents, for good or ill. Some truly have talent, while others don't. But, I admire the courage and the determination to fling it all out and see what happens. Go for it! Make the plunge. Leave nothing behind and step forward!

 

This happens in stories as well, and I do have a personal favorite scene from the movie, "Speed." The setup is this: a bus has a bomb on board, if the bus drops below 50 miles per hour the bomb detonates. Simple enough, but now they are on a highway that isn't finished. Yikes. All the police escort falls back as the bus hurtles toward an improbable leap with impossible hope. It's a breathless moment. The entire movie hinges on that single time, and it fulfills that yearning very well indeed. I'll never forget how I felt when I first saw it, because my heart quickened as I thought about all the things I was reaching out for... hoping... praying... pleading. To tuck your head down and rush forward, leaping into space without knowing for sure if there is anything on the other side.

 

Yes, there is. Trust me. It's worth the risk.

 

- M