I took a photo of this same pepper three days ago, just as it was emerging. Today, it has multiplied in size and the rest of the plant is covered in new peppers and blossoms.
My challenge to you is to consider how nature keeps moving ahead, even in its smallest forms - and often through adversity. Marvel at its complexity, and its will.
I like to consider this in the context of our learning and growing as humans. The strong plants will flourish, even against the odds. The ones unwilling to embrace growth and changes will wither.
Be strong today. Flourish. It is how nature intended.
Let this pepper be a reminder that even while you are not looking, amazing things surround you on all sides.
You can be a part of that growth and change - or not.
Here is what that pepper looked like three days ago.
Growing up with this didn't make me a violent person ... it made me a more humorous and jovial one. I'll kick anyone's ass who wants to argue the point!
I often marvel at little things. Call me crazy for this, but I think in systems. The many systems around us each day which make things better are easy to overlook.
Some people prefer to look at a car crash, or other tragedies which surround them. Others just seek reasons that they are "too busy" to give attention to the little wonders around us.
I saw a reminder this morning as I walked out of the restaurant where I had brunch with my family. I'd like to share it with you, and remind you to take opportunities to marvel at the little things.
When Pixar released Cars 2, I wonder if they ever saw this coming. If you ask my two year old, Jack Walden, who is his favorite Cars 2 character, the answer may shock you!
Holly Shiftwell is a great character, but Holy Sh*t Wow ... who would have guessed this?!
In one of those moments that a person may think "That will never happen when I'm there" or "What are the odds?" my family was present for a tragedy today.
My camera was fixed on the plane of pilot Bryan Jensen as he performed at Kansas City Air Expo today (20 August 2011). The spectacular air show ended sadly when Jensen's plane became uncontrolable and crashed about four minutes into his flight.
This video shows the incredible skill of Jensen, but it ends in tragedy, so be warned. It may be hard to watch.
Adding to the tragedy, the lack of emergency response was appalling. What if the plane had crashed into the crowd?
Aside from the incredible skill of Bryan Jensen, something notable about this video is the horrendous lack of response from emergency crews at Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport, in Kansas City.
In the prepared statement by the air show director, Ed Noyallis, they said "Our emergency response worked as planned" but if you watched my video, I think you will disagree. Unfortunately, the video of the statement does not allow embedding or responses, but the "dislikes" make it clear what others feel.
It seems obvious that emergency response at was not of great concern. One car, presumably crew members, arrived on scene within seconds, while the first emergency vehicles seemed to take their own sweet time. It was very upsetting and frightening to see just how poorly the emergency workers performed, and one must wonder how this would have turned out if the crash was in the crowd of onlookers. Even if there was not a life to be saved, it is very shocking to see crews just sit and wait as the plane burns as families cry.
The Murnahan Family offers our condolences to the Jensen Family, friends, and others affected by this tragic loss.
Addendum: After thinking about this a lot, I have shared additional thoughts about how our given perspectives affect our perception of events around us ... and also how it affects others. My follow up is titled "Paradigm Shifting, Initial Perceptions, and Marketing Communication" and it reflects the importance of how we view things around us, and how we present those things to others.
I just had to snap a couple shots of this box of cupcakes before my wife, Owner / Chef at Mad Eliza's Cakes and Confections, wisked them away from me.
They are for a seven year old on his birthday. I had to wonder to myself if there was a kid between one and one hundred who wouldn't find something to love in that box.
Comments [0]