#3 Tradition

Tuesday was a historic day.  Barack Obama was sworn in (sort of) as the 44th President of the United States.  It was a day of tradition.

I personally did not vote for President Obama.  However, now that he is President, I support him in that office. 

I love the traditions of my great country.  I love that President Obama was sworn in a second time because it had to be perfect and not left to any scrutiny (because, of course, there always is). 

I love that we have a Constitution that was laid out so perfectly that our country has been functioning with it ever since.  I love the sacrifice that was made and the blood that was shed if even for just an idea.  I love that idea.  Freedom is an incredible idea.

I love how the last two years have been ripe with bickering, back stabbing, mud slinging, lying, cheating, politicking, and debating (the financial markets, right?).  And, now we get to stand behind the man that overcame the odds and that we have chosen (well, some of us anyway) to lead us into a bright and promising future.

So, I am grateful for the traditions of the Constitution and the selection of the President.  I am grateful for the possibilities of my country. 

#2: Organization.

I am not talking about being grateful for being organized because I am not.  I am talking about how grateful I am for those that are organized and more specifically emergency responders.

The photo above was taken about 15 minutes after an elderly man drove his car off the road and down into Malibu Creek in Malibu Canyon.  The creek is about 75 feet almost straight down from the road.  I was amazed how quickly all the different agencies arrived and took charge of their respective roles.

There were even inmates (orange clothes, white helmets) brought in work the scene.  The elderly man even took out a large power box that left exposed cables which required another agency to deal with.

It all seemed to flow so well.  I was reminded of my own accident from last year.  Although I don't remember anything from it I do know that I arrived safely to the hospital. 

The whole fabric of society is woven together by so many different jobs and professions.  Among those, are many that require certain individuals with a greater willingness to serve.  For emergency personnel, it can't be about the money because they don't seem to make much compared to the service they provide.

I believe it is about the service itself.  It is a willingness to serve their fellow beings.  Thanks everyone!

#1 is a compilation of many things that work for me in my life, things I enjoy, and maybe even things I just think are cool.

Humor - I love to laugh!  I love to laugh so hard that it twists my gut up like a tangled up garden hose.  I love to laugh so hard that I snort.  I love to laugh so hard that my facial muscles feel like they will stay stuck in that position forever.  I love to laugh so hard that other people start laughing just because of it.  I love to laugh so hard that for that moment it seems as though nothing else could even come close to being as funny as what I am laughing at right then.

Most of all, I love to laugh with my wife and kids.

Pomegranates - The forbidden fruit was undeniably a pomegranate.  No other food in this world could ever have possessed the mind of man (Oh wait, it was the woman first) with such lust that he (she) would give up the heavenly tranquility of the Garden of Eden.

Detachable arms - I don't actually have detachable arms but the other day when I was relaxing with my wife on the couch I was laying uncomfortably on top of my right arm and I thought that if I could detach it for a little while I would be so much more comfortable in that moment.

Golf - I love a great game of golf.  And, every game of golf is great.  I love the challenge that lies ahead as I set up on the first tee.  I love that my golf game is directly intertwined with my state of being in that moment.  I love how a subtle, fiery hint of vanity from a brilliant shot played on the previous hole is quickly drenched in the humility of a well-placed shot in a deep bunker.

I love how it's just me out there despite the presence of others.  It's just me and the game.  As Bagger Vance said, "It's not a game that can be won, only played."  I love how I can perfectly play an imperfect game.

Most of all, I love what is revealed to me when I play.

Being an entrepreneur - I love being an entrepreneur!  I love plotting a course and navigating the currents to get there.  I love to steer the ship and to feel the cool breeze across my face.  I love facing the violent swells head on with my shoulders squared, a deep breath of courage, and a great big deafening BRING IT ON! as I charge full speed into the murky waters of the unknown abyss.

I love what lies behind the struggle.  I love the peace of a calm horizon and the radiance of what's around the corner.

Possibilities - I love what's possible.  And, EVERYTHING is possible.

Movies - I LOVE MOVIES!  I love that I can leave the theater of my life and enter another and become totally dialed in to what is going on in the screen.  I love that in that moment I am dueling with Darth Vader, on a quest through Middle Earth with Frodo and Sam, or running across the country with Forest Gump.

Fly fishing - It wouldn't be enough to say I love fly fishing.  When I am fly fishing I am the river, I am the trees, I am the rocks, and I am the fish.  I am in my perfect place.  When I am fly fishing I am discovering endless possibilities.  Each fish I catch is like realizing a new part of me that I've only forgotten and when I release the fish I release the light of my consciousness to all other beings in this fine universe.

And, fly fishing is just freakin awesome!

Good, wholesome food - Everything else is just crap!

The beach during sunset - A cool breeze, sand through my toes, no worries.  Need I say more?

Mountains - As long as there are mountains to look at the world will be a great place to live.

Well, that's all for now.  When I think of anything else, I'll add it later.