unbelievable!

Once you get over the rather disconcerting "costumes" (or lack thereof), these competitors of the 6th International Circus Festival of Budapest, 2006, are simply amazing. When watching this video for the first time, the first question I had was, "How long do you have to train, to build that kind of strength??" My second question was,"How the heck do you practice something like this without getting injured every single time??" All I can say is, this makes my job look pretty easy! (Warning: the video is almost 10 minutes long.)

Flying

I could wax poetic about how this picture reminds us that we need to keep trying because we're not always going to get it right the first time. But really, this picture just makes me giggle.
see more crazy cat pics

New Life

There's nothing worth celebrating more than a healthy baby being born to a family that is excited to welcome it, and fully equipped to care for it.... That said, I'd like to take a moment to welcome two little ones to the world, and to my "extended family" of friends....

Welcome Elijah (born March 7, 2008), son of Larissa and Blair
and,
Welcome Kai (Born March 10, 2008), son of Edie and Ricardo, and little brother to RJ!

You are both very very lucky babies, and we will be much blessed by your presence in our lives too, I am sure. I can't wait to meet you in person!!! (Congratulations families!!)

Last Lecture

Professor Randy Pausch knows exactly what he would say if he was giving his last lecture at the university where he teaches. Because it is his last lecture. His pancreatic cancer has spread. But fortunately, so has his message, and his perspective on life. So much so, that I have now encountered his videos in 3 separate places, on 3 separate occasions. Thanks to Adam for posting this on his blog a while back, and reminding me how very important this message is.

I have seen the long version of this lecture, and the short version, and both have taken my breath away, and left me dabbing tears from my eyes. Have your kleenex box handy, but be ready to laugh hard, too. (The Oprah one - bottom - is about 10 minutes, and the full-length version - top - is an hour and 16 minutes. Do yourself a favor and watch the long version if you have the time.)

Ordinary Miracle

So simple. Such a great way to see the world. Sarah McLachlin is one of those artists that couldn't help but become famous... (This song is from the Charlotte's Web soundtrack, apparently.)

On Prayer

My thoughts on the act of prayer are still under construction. I have rarely prayed for anything for myself... I am far more comfortable asking things for others. And I think this is really about taking time out of a busy day to think about someone other than myself. It's about being less self-centred (and becoming self-centred is a really easy thing to do when one lives alone).

And it's also about recognizing that as much as we wish it sometimes, certain things are simply not under our control. It's about releasing what isn't mine to hold. I often end my prayers with "thy will be done," to remind myself of that.

Not long ago, I came across the video below: A Living Prayer by Alison Krauss. The simplicity of the song took my breath away. But what especially struck me was right in the song's title. The idea of BEing prayer, rather than just SAYing prayer.

Atomic Grandeur

I have been thoroughly enjoying my latest reading: A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson. I have never been that into science, but this is a truly fascinating read. Bryson puts the "how did they figure that out?" behind such facts and theories as the size of the Earth, its distance from the sun, and its molten core in a completely accessible way. The whole book is peppered with interesting little tidbits about the scientists (and amateurs) that made these discoveries. For example, did you know that Dr. James Parkinson (after whom Parkinson's disease was named) was a socialist revolutionist who once won a natural history museum in a raffle??!

But in amongst all the scientific facts and concepts and anecdotes about their discoverers, Bryson has a real reverence for the miracle (and sheer improbability) of the existence of life on this planet. So far, I think I have been most affected by this one section in particular:

"Atoms, in short are very abundant. They are also fantastically durable. Because they are so long lived, atoms really get around. Every atom you possess has almost certainly passed through several stars and been a part of millions of organisms on its way to becoming you. We are each so atomically numerous and so vigorously recycled at death that a significant number of our atoms - up to a billion for each of us, it has been suggested - probably once belonged to Shakespeare. A billion more each came from Buddha and Genghis Khan, and Beethoven, and any other historical figure you care to name."

Chew on that for awhile. :-) .... Crazy, huh?

By the way, Bryson goes on to note: "(The personages have to be historical, apparently, as it takes the atoms some decades to become thoroughly redistributed; however much you may wish it, you are not yet one with Elvis Presley.)"

Strength

We have a lot of amazing students at the place where I work. It sounds corny, but each is really amazing in their own way. I learn more about inner strength and beauty with each day that I work there.

In particular, one of our students is a 17-year-old girl who shall remain anonymous. She has had a rough time of it when it comes to growing up. Yet somehow, she continues to grow. The word resilient doesn't begin to cover it. That Great Big Sea quote, "She might stumble if they push her 'round. She might fall, but she'll never lie down," reminds me of her. So do Carolyn Arends' lyrics:

"I’ve heard it said there’s got to be a crack or two
For the light to get through
It seems to me that you are meant to be the kind
Who shines"

But instead of going on and on quoting songs that make me think of her, how about I just share the quotes from her journal that she was willing to share with us at school...

"I always felt like I never had a place in this world but day by day I slowly see the evolving inner beauty of myself. I realize better now than ever before that without the bad things in my life I would not be the person I am today. I am not normal…I am excellent. I am precious and untouchable.

I write to feel, I write to forget, I write to stay alive, and for the first time I am writing to heal.

One day I will make a difference you’ll see, whether it’s great or small I will be there and be strong throughout it all."

This young lady is clearly a force to be reckoned with.

Genuine Genius

Ben Folds is my latest hero. I read somewhere that he describes his music as, "punk rock for sissies," so I guess I'm a sissy. This guy can do anything when you put a piano in front of him - including making me cry with his perfect lyrics, and the amazing images he has in his videos. This guy should be a lot more famous than he his. Check it out...

Oh yes, AND

I promise that if something I post is not inspiring, it'll at least be funny!! :-)

Welcome Here

I have thought about blogging a number of times before, but never knew what on earth I would have to say to the world. Recently, I have encountered a string of videos, songs, quotes and the like that are nothing short of inspiring. And I have spent a lot of time sharing/talking about all these tidbits with friends and family and then wondering where the heck I should put this stuff so that I have it when I need a little inspiration. I occasionally journal some of this stuff on paper, but it's hard to journal a video! And so, a new blog is born.

I promise not to talk about politics (unless it's something inspiring about politics, so.... unlikely. ;-) ). I promise not to whine or complain. I promise to only post things that make the world a better place. And I hope you enjoy sharing these moments with me. Let's begin....!