The Will to Live

I was thinking about a new post when I ran across something in my paper that just couldn't be forgotten, and I had to pause to listen. We are all too familiar with the darkness that mankind has in abundance. But every once in a while there is a flicker of light that reminds us that humanity has another side. 

I Am Woman

For the past two days I have watched the rioting, looting and arson unfolding in Baltimore, Maryland. It has been said that people need an outlet for their feelings, but I have never believed that causing harm to people, or their property, to be the appropriate course of action to do that. And apparently neither did one mother who happened to see her own son among the rioters on the street. You have probably seen this clip, but I think it's worth looking at again. This is a woman who is intent on taking a stand to protect her child, and she made her opinion quite clear to her errant son who knew he was in deep trouble as soon as he saw his mother.

This next clip is of the speech given by Malala Yousafzai when she accepted the Nobel Peace prize in 2014. If you haven't listened to it, I recommend it. She calls herself a child but she is wise beyond her years. I would call her a young woman.

What this mother and Malala have in common is a determination to affect their respective circumstances in a positive way that not only helps themselves but others as well. Each is deserving of respect. One for caring enough about her son to intervene when he was doing something wrong that could get him injured or killed, and the other for standing up for her beliefs even if those beliefs could get her killed.

To all the women out there who are trying to make a difference to the lives of those they love or who are attempting to make their community, their country, or the world, a better place, this is for you. :)

Sorry guys, but I had to do one for all my sisters out there. :)

Hubble, Hubble, Toil & Trouble

Twenty five years ago on April 24, 1990 the Hubble Space Telescope was launched into space.  The hope was that by positioning a telescope outside of Earth's atmosphere we would be able to have a clearer more detailed view of our universe.  It was a failure.  Or at least so it appeared at first.  Due to a mistake in a measurement the pictures that the telescope sent back were fuzzy.  But instead of writing off the telescope as a loss those involved in the project doubled down and decided to fix it.  And fix it they did.  To the point where the Hubble has proven to be one of the most capable and useful pieces of equipment ever built.

This documentary shows just how much we have learned from the amazing pictures the Hubble has sent back to us, as well as the hard work put in by so many people to expand on our knowledge of space.

For those who don't have a free hour to devote to the above video I selected a couple of clips for you to enjoy.

And this:

The Working Man

Sometimes it's easy to forget the hard work put in by so many people, but it's those people who are the backbone of a country, for they keep everything functioning. So sit back, relax, and enjoy a few clips dedicated to all of you out there who are part of this thing we call life. :)

The dedication devoted to this endeavor has never ceased to amaze me.  It is truly an inspiration.  

Hard work comes in many forms...you gotta love these guy's energy.  Yeah, the numbers are way out of date, but the concept hasn't changed.  :)

  

How could I not include Norma Rae?  It goes like it goes...

Happy Easter!

Stand By Me

I think it's time for a break again from all the serious death and destruction out there. This year the Library of Congress added a number of titles to its collection of significant songs in American history, including "Stand By Me"  by Ben E. King. It was first recorded in 1961, but was re-released in 1986 when it was used as the theme song in the movie “Stand By Me”.

It is really the movie that I wanted to talk about. It's one of my favorites. Why? In many ways it's a serious film, yet it's a story of a period of childhood where adventures are possible and friendships are deep, at least in that moment.

It's the story of four friends who go on an overnight camping trip to see a dead body. Along the way they run into various obstacles and delve into the more serious sides of their lives. It's set in a simpler era of America, before the internet, before cell phones, and before friendships were based on the more superficial aspects of life.

This scene always gets me because my friends and I did this when I was a kid.  We were walking to the fair and took a shortcut across the railroad tracks over the river.  The river wasn't as wide, the drop wasn't as long, and there wasn't any train, but there was still just a little shiver down the spine.  

I know, I'm giving away part of the ending, but you've all probably already seen this movie, so I think I'm safe.  I can't not add this scene.  It's what the title's all about.

Yellowstone

Periodically there are stories of volcanic eruptions in the news. The latest was the eruption in Costa Rica. They always remind me that there are dangers in living on this planet that go beyond what we humans can do to ourselves.

Yellowstone National Park, located in Wyoming, was created in 1872 by President Grant. Like so many others I have visited there, viewing Old Faithful Geyser and being awed by its power. What one doesn't really think about too closely is what that power really means. We humans take much of our lives on this planet for granted. But while we are occupying those lives with harrying our political rivals, fighting our wars, or just trying to live, we are actually sitting atop a sleeping giant. Well, actually, more than one, but right now I'm just focusing on the Yellowstone Caldera. Because what those geyers really mean is that we are walking atop a huge volcano. And some day it may very well erupt, causing untold damage.

So, for a little exercise in humility, spend a little time contemplating how fragile our lives really are.