Thinking Big

You know those 'almost' asleep times when minds can really 'run with it' kind of notions?

I was thinking that there are like 500 million FACEBOOK users (actually there are more like 800 million but as I said, my mind was running and it's best not to interrupt or discount orienting framework because then stumbling happens...and before you know it there we are with skinned knees and crying and boo-hooing and for what? To possess that coveted being right place? No thank you, this is my delicate psyche we're talking about). Anyway, I thought. "You know if you could get each member to agree to send just ONE dollar a DAY to a named person, and then limit that named person to only one million dollars, you could make 500 millionaires a day! (and that's taking into account that I'm wrong about the numbers and allow an error of 300 million FACEBOOK people to not play because they don't have the money or disposition or trust for adventure). But that still means that the effort could make 182,500 millionaires a year for only investing $365 a year. Sounds like a Ponzi scheme doesn't it?

Still....the numbers are impressive, and of course the viability of it all is dependent on everyone would have to participate. And we all know that 'everybody has to' clause gets all kinds of emotional push-back...look at the Affordable Health Care Act.

Oh well.

maybe have cute little girls sell cookies door to door....but hey, that's really silly, that'd never work.

Priorities in Place

Not so long ago the series of events unfolded thus:

   Muammar Gaddafi was slain; the stock market lost fifty-four points. My dog Oscar got a bath then napped on the top of the couch in a cocoon of towels.

  The birds twitter outside as the day warms from its frosty beginning.

  I wondered, in earnest, what any of this mattered? Not just for those whose country had been liberated, or to those whose savings are waning by the whims of global events. Yes, I know, I make it matter; just as you make things matter to you too. Collectively we agree to laud one person a hero, or claim another as a villain.  If we disagree then likely or not we will spend emotional capital and energy trying to convince the other who owns title to being right. What will history students of the future think about what it was like back now?  Back when we defined our time.

   I walked the neighborhood, a necessary past time for dog owners, and I got a glimpse into one of my neighbors home through a door left ajar. I looked at the array of common objects, the couch, shoes, television, wall decorations and other items lying about. It seemed all so familiar yet foreign at the same time. I felt a whisper to judge conditions, as well as an urge to turn my head away; a subtle reaction to thinking I was invading privacy.  I was not invited to look. I have to laugh at these introspective moments brought on by the end of a story; where the focused ire has been brought to task. Where will we find the next distraction to avoid the awesome responsibility of our life choices?

Who shall we blame next for the discrepancies of our wishes? What tasty morsel of crises or outrage will grab our attention next? Clearly Oscar is indifferent to any of those questions; he has his priorities in place.

Familiar

I have discovered that frequency ushers in familiarity. And in that, we are prone to open up a little more each visit because we feel no threat; we let in a little more in order to enjoy a greater portion.  

I am grateful for the people over the years, who came to sample me; and yes, to offer themselves in the process.  Every so often my recollection taps on my window, "do you remember the goodness between us?”  I am touched to savor such a tender, delicate, recollection.  Our needs are really rather meager; we simple stated, desire to feel we are welcomed, and accepted. 

 Our reward is when our chosen is present we are inspired to consider how very rich we can feel.  Dispelling any notion of deserving or worthiness is evident we are in our element.  By reflex we put away self doubt, into a place relegated for useless ideas; because they are prone to be of no value but to limit enthusiasm.

So here is a product of kind welcoming ways....

Liberated from appointed necessities is a place to scan the horizon of possibilities and wonder; whatever shall I do?

As a child when released from the routine of going to school I found elation.  But the thrill of it soon wore off as my creative energy waned in the shadows of the real.  And really, wasn't that due to the absence of resources?  Those that had pools or parents to take them to arts and crafts at the Park and Recreation had a fuller schedule then say those of us that only had sisters and brothers to torment over the lazy days of summer.

   I am circumspect about the process since I am well aware of conditioning when I compare and contrast all that we experience in growing up.  Without the lows the highs would be lacking in luster. 

   There is a term in psychology called hedonic adaptation. The short version goes that we have set points of happiness.  This is a good adaptive quality because we are able to rebound from trauma and disappointment quicker when our set points are high. These are stable and shift very little in light of the immediate.  The down side of it is that thrills also fades quickly as well.  Certainly you've had the experience that something you really wanted appeared and was available for revisits at your leisure.  Swiftly the initial thrill was followed by a 'less-than' and persisting as we do, a parade of less-than’s follows that.  

   A good example would be a playground slide from our youth.  Sooner or later going down that terror filled excitement paled and did not justify the effort of climbing back up the steps one more time to the summit; so we wandered off to the swings, the teeter-totter, or that nameless device that twirled around until gravity suggested we hurl.

   In that way...we are encouraged to explore other possibilities; and it’s my disposition to think, that in no way leaving negates a return to ride what I know provides me thrills.  Variety ...what a win-win; so then...I'm back.