It's Natural?

Mother Nature loves variety... and in quantity.

If you train a telescope on a dark spot of the night sky, you see a star field. Zoom in and you'll see a star field, zoom again and you'll see... a star field, endlessly, but each one of those stars is unique. Same is true in the woods, with what seems like an infinite number of trees and rocks, but each is really different from the others. And ditto with people... an infinite number, but one very different from another.

In nature, some trails are easy and interesting but challenging, and others are difficult, painful and nasty.



Similarly, some people's souls are lazy, shallow and nasty, whereas others have interesting depth and breath to them, either because they escaped their nature... or because of it. Some people help solve problems... and others ARE the problem... and there are an infinite number of them in each of these two categories. I'm staying away from the problem people just like I'm staying away from The White Mountains. Deliver us from evil! That is, while I'm here, I'm associating with and choosing to enjoy the good. There's PLENTY of good here to choose, in the variety of people as well as in the variety of nature.

The attraction of naughty is much overrated and antiquated. Enough, already!

-© 2009 by Willy

Time

"Time is nature's way of keeping everything from happening at once," said Einstein. Time is a human contrivance, say the philosophers. A Higher Order Being doesn't need time... He can handle it.

"Time," I wrote as a kid, "is my most important ally," I was surprised to read. Maybe because I was more patient and led a simpler life then.

Before The Big Bang, there was no such thing as time. And the future is defined by our individual decisions and thus is extremely flexible... and hasn't happened yet. So, today, right now, is what I have.

If I really think about it, I do have as much time as I need. I haven't done badly and I aim to make the best of it.

OK, I've convinced myself, so off hiking in the rain I go.

- © 2009 by Willy

Something to...

It is said that to be happy, we need three things: something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.

To most people, a pan of brownies in the oven will do.

To me, a pretty day out does it, every time.

Today was one of those days. I woke up late, went to breakfast at my usual place, ended up spending the morning having a terrific breakfast there with this very interesting friend and his wife (who had trouble prying us apart later due to the volume of jokes we exchanged). Then at noon I went out bicycling on a beautiful, clear, sunny day on a route seldom populated, to the river at the edge of town and back (a slow 30 miles with a break at the river). A Hi-Viz jersey day. Another small but great adventure. The day ended with a beautiful sunset.

While DOing the riding, even though I could not see the headwind, I felt it (just like God). I LOVEd the headwind for the training, as well as hills, and as well as life. How much better can it possibly get? I HOPE FOR even better days! I'm happy.


- © 2009 by Willy

Watch The Nutrition

Two Alligators were sitting around the gym after their workout, talking nutrition.

The smaller Gator turned to the bigger one and said, "I can"t understand how you can be so much bigger than me. We're the same age, we were the same size as kids... I just don't get it."

"Well," said the big Gator, "what have you been eating?"

"Politicians, same as you," replied the small Gator [or Lawyers, Ex'es or whatever].

"Hmm... well, where do you catch them?"

"Down the other side of the swamp near the parking lot."

"Same here! How do you catch them?"

"Well, I crawl up under a car and wait for one to unlock the car door. Then I jump out, grab them by the leg, shake the crap out of them and eat them!"

"Ah!" says the big Gator, "I think I see your problem. You're not getting any real nourishment. See, by the time you finish shaking the crap out of a politician, there's nothing left but a briefcase."

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Moral of the story: (1) Watch what you eat... don't eat crap, (2) Bigger is not always better... some people and some Gators are just full of it, and (3) Maybe you're OK just the way you are.