Discovered by Amber

"If we can keep our minds open to the blessings, humor, and education in whatever happens to us -- if we can set that little invisible radar dish on top of our heads to constantly search for blessings instead of disasters -- our lives will be enriched by the experiences we endure and fertilize our lives" -Unkown.

Bike There?

With all the love that Google has been given on this blog, it only seems fair to ask for something in return other than quality features for free (which are of course paid for by advertising contingent upon site visits, thus the whole former part irons out itself.)

Google Map has many unique and helpful features, not the least of which being the ability to quickly and easily change routes using a drag and drop technique. It has come to the mind of some civic minded folk that a new feature is necessary. Bike there. These individuals have found it reasonable to petition google to add this feature over time to its mapping software. They also request two methods: direct route, and safe route. The author for one thinks you should go check it out and sign the petition.

Who knew one could petition private companies in this manner? Oh well, here's hoping it's successful so more people can enjoy bike rides without the fear of being crushed by large hunks of metal. With that in mind, people can start showing up places looking like our friend below.

Some Photos from the last little while.

The long absent author is attempting to get back into the blogosphere, and this is a break-in post: Hope you enjoy. Some photos from a little hike this weekend. Enjoy.

Effectiveness

Gordo Byrn has a great article on personal planning. You can find it here.

Telling you things you might already know...

Ahem: There are still good people in America.

[Please don't interpret this as some kind of theological stand on the goodness of man (The author has not lost his mind in the last couple weeks).]

US charitable giving set a new record in 2006. A selection from the article above:

The overall increase for the year was 4.2 percent, or one percent adjusted for inflation. But if disaster gifts are excluded from the 2005 total, giving in 2006 rose 6,6 percent.The record-setting gift total in 2006 included $1,9-billion from billionaire Buffett, the world's third wealthiest individual, in the first installment on a 20-year pledge of more than $30-billion to four foundations."While headlines focus on 'mega-gifts', they represented 1,3 percent of the total," said George Ruotolo, chair of the Giving Institute."About 65 percent of households with incomes lower than $100 000 give to charity. That is higher than the percentage who vote or read a Sunday newspaper.""There certainly is a tradition of supporting nonprofit organizations in the United States," Jolly told AFP."It's just characteristic of the American public to give to the extent that they're able contribute."

This is not to say that America doesn't have a long way to go, because with much privilege comes much responsibility, but it does give you the right to think reasonably and with the solid cranium you were born with as opposed to just feeling guilty and bad about yourself everytime some moron reporter writes something because he wants to make people who make more money than him feel bad (oops, did I say that?)

Give generously, Live simply, Love your neighbor. Peace.

The Power of Perpetuity

Sam, why must you strange conjugations of words? Because I must, because I must.

Have you ever asked yourself or realized at some salient moment that you've forgotten so many things that were simple and true and made your life better, but were let go of because they were either too simple or just a little below you?

Let's try to say this another way: ever noticed how crappy pop songs can get stuck in your head forever? (Hey now, you're an all-star... or Girl you're my angel, you're my darlin' angel, closer than my peeps you are to me-e, ooh ooh). I hope I didn't just ruin your day reading those, but the point is clear: our minds are affected by the things we allow to consume them, so what are we consumed with? Is it truth? Is it life-giving? If you had kids, or people you really wanted to be healthy and live a good (whom you influence), would you put the things in their head that you let rule your inner monologue? A few words to focus on and repeat to oneself during a day can make a monumental difference. Truth and Peace. Mercy and Hope. Passion and Justice. Grace and Patience. Belief and Love.

What fills your mind and defines your daily movements?

More is Less

No, that's not a usage error of the colloquialism in the title. It's the beginning of a question. In regards to making money, having things, and doing things, why do we constantly need more? It often requires more of our time to work extra hours for more money, to take care of the things we've bought which we don't need or use. Yet we as a culture are still obsessed with it. It's very easy (and not that inaccurate IMO) that one of the reasons it's done is to avoid slowing down and facing the fears of silence, simplicity, and calm. The problem is that this way of life has no true center and roams around the spirit like a devil pac-man eating up any substance that exists until all that remains is a shell, just a sketch of the former and intended whole person. The difficulty arises in having to say no, in having to pay bills, in feeling the need to maintain the "everything's just fine (even though I'm losing my mind)" view for the world to see.

All the time and money that we've accumulated has done nothing but rob us of true purpose. The things and the love of money do not inherently bring life. In fact, the opposite is the case more often than not. To walk away from a world of wealth is a difficult thing. But is it worth your soul?