The Human Mind

I was on the bus the other day as usual, and overheard something incredibly obvious and yet, quite interesting. A woman was speaking about her children in a french immersion program and just how quickly they pick up new information. The phrase "like a sponge" quickly comes to mind doesn't it?

Anyways, I haven't been able to figure out if through the years this blessing becomes a curse of stubbornness, or simply a folly of nature. I mean after we learn something as intricate as another language, how to operate a piece of machinery or something equally complicated and we get older, does our mind simply solidify turning from a sponge into an un-adaptable piece of machinery?

Obviously not, but it is another indicator of how stubborn the human mind can actually be once we get set in our ways, isn't it?

Mind Over Matter

I'll not make excuses for my tardiness as of late, but since I haven't had the time, nor the energy to write I've been wondering about the importance of priorities. If what I want to be is a writer, then why haven't I been doing more writing instead of using my energy on reasons not to write?

"I'm too tired", "I'll do it next weekend", or- "maybe later", are all famous ones. I know myself that the mind is our most vital asset, far more influential than the body, so I can either continue preaching to the choir saying this, but until i start doing it that's another story.

It's all about priorities.

First Snow Fall

There's a sort of omnipotence associated with the first snowfall for me, as of the past few years. With all the chaos and hectic social pressures, there's something almost magical I feel when I wake up for the first time of the year to see snow falling just inches from my face, outside my bedroom window.

Until that is, the wind picks up and blows the snow right into my face (did I mention my window was open?). It is said that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, until of course it's blown right into your face.

However at least in my opinion after a few seasons of straight rain, wouldn't you rather get a little wet from something that is at least easy on the eyes? So would I.

A New Era?

Well, we have here a new chapter in American history with our first African American leader. Some are surprised, others not so much. What remains to be seen however, is exactly what I'm wondering: what will Obama do to reverse the economic rockslide incurred by previous American "leaders" (if you want to use that term).

I'm somewhat impressed with the lack of attention to ethnicity in this election, as both McCain and Obama rellied on the same platform (that of economics, and how to "fix it").

With all the promises however such as tax cuts and "relief", another old unanswered promise comes to mind: "read my lips, no more taxes". Capice?

David Suzuki

At my graduation ceremony I had the opportunity to listen to David Suzuki speak just the other day. What an experience, I'm telling you. Before his speech, to me he was simply just another public figure. My father even recommended I ask him to sign my degree afterwards, but I told him "he's just a man". Now even though I don't really believe in putting certain people on a pedestal (this would imply the rest of us are "below"), he had some interesting points.

Mr. Suzuki spoke of perceptions and how these perceptions determine how we view ourselves and the world we live in. He linked this to our increased value we all place on material wealth over the earth's well being in general. I remember an example he gave, by saying some government official mentioning how he'll try and address the world health concerns, but emphasized how nothing can be done to alter our fragile economy.

The economy is killing our planet one dollar at a time, and while almost everybody will accept this (although not publicly), David Suzuki suggested something astonishingly simply: "if it isn't working, throw it out and stick something in there that will work". What a concept, do you ever remember anybody ever saying: if it isn't broke don't fix it... well what about the economy?