Something Worth Writing About

I Have A Dream

I just finished watching the movie I Am, which is an amazing piece on the human spirit, and what is entirely wrong with the world. In the asking of the questions: “What is wrong with the world?” and “What can we do about it?” the answers started to be more like “What is right with the world, in spite of all the tragedy and horror?” and “What can we do to make it better?”

I guess it just got me thinking about what I can do while I’m still here.

Statistically, I probably won’t see 60 years from now. That means I have, if God would let chance fall in my favour, only 3 more tries at how old I am now (give or take a bit).

That means that my time is ticking, and I’m still sitting in bed thinking big thoughts and not moving.

But all great actions come in one of two ways: spontaneously, or sophisticatedly pre-meditated. Since I think that everything builds up to something else, and spontaneity, though brief, is always influenced, I’d best plan this one.

So here is my plan:

But first, let’s look at what I have going for me. Evaluate my assets, as the businessman in me would say.

I can talk to people (sometimes) and I do well at empathizing with just about everyone, but am usually quite frightened of taking the first step. I have a good head on my shoulders, and though it likes to get me in trouble, it is remarkable at math and problem-solving. I have a decent amount of potential, and though I am young and inexperienced, I know God has put a fire in my soul and a barn door with a handicap push button in my heart (it opens big, and for just about anyone).

SO here is what I want to do. I want to create, or be a part of, a company that does engineering for the ethics, for the good of the people, and not for personal gain or triumph. Humanity as a whole needs engineers, because we rely on good design, and good work done right. We need bridges to hold, drills to drill, cars to run on less fuel, and people to care about one another.

Engineers Embracing Ethics. I think that will be my mantra. More than a slogan or pitch, but a philosophy I will follow.

I want to help people. I want God to use me to my full potential, and I know that these gifts aren’t chance or happenstance - they are exactly that: gifts.

If I lie on my deathbed knowing that in the 60 years from this point that I tried to make the best of, I made life easier for every person I possibly could, then I will have succeeded. That is a tall order, but really, not an impossible one.

That guy walking by you on the street? Smile at him.

That guy you work with who is always grumpy? Thank him for his hard work and brighten his day however you can.

The lady who is trying to control her kids in the supermarket and carry her groceries at the same time? Give her a hand and help with the kids. Maybe even volunteer to babysit so she can have a night off.

The boss who you have a tough time trying to connect with? Remind him just how thankful you are for the opportunity he has given you, and that if there is anything you can do to make his life easier, to let you know. And maybe bring him a coffee.

The small child in Ethopia who is struggling to find water or food or shelter or safety? Do something about it. Anything. Go there, send something, do something.

Biology, philosophy, neuroscience, religion, spirituality; they all tell us that we are fundamentally cooperative creatures and are here because of teamwork, sympathy and compassion. So do justice to your 6 billion years of evolution, or if you believe in intelligent design then the creature your God created you to be, and be that: human.

I forget that everyday, and I know that it is going to take some time to get it through my thick head, but LOVE, not hate, is the fundamental force holding everything together.

There is a fundamental force of connectedness that is greater than social media, globalization, quantum physics, biology or any form of quantitative measurement, and that force is LOVE.

I just want to be a part of that, in every possible way I can.

And I think I’ll start with a company. Engineers Embracing Ethics. I like the sound of that.

Do Better

This week I will do better.

What does it mean to do better?

Does it mean you hit the gym a little harder? Or eat a little healthier?

Does it mean you act a little nicer, and say the things you couldn’t have said otherwise?

Does it mean you walk with a strut in your step? Or smile from ear to ear for every stranger you see?

Being better is a difficult thing. How does one simply wake up one morning and have it be different from yesterday? We are creatures of habit, aren’t we?

But tomorrow, this week, this month, I will be better.

I have really sucked at a lot of things, and I know that I am capable of more. More learning, more thoughtfulness, more love, more compassion, more inner peace, more productivity, more sweat, more tears, more grit, more grind, more selflessness, MORE LIFE.

This time, I will do better. 

Who Will You Serve?

Joshua 24:15

2 Years

In the past two years I have accomplished a lot. I have changed so much, and met so many amazing people.

I just think of how I started this blog in the last two years, and how many people I have gotten to know because of it.

I can think of my amazing friends at school, and the things I have learned.

I think of the plans I have made and the life goals I have established.

I think of my friend Colin who died two years ago this Sunday, and all of the things he would have done in two years. Colin, I miss you man. You were such a light in a dark, dark world.

I hope that in the next two years I can do even more than I have in the last two. I hope that I can accomplish everything I had dreamed of and more, because I know that’s exactly what you would have done.

I thank God that I have had those two years. Two years that were robbed from you. Let this be a reminder to everyone that if you are reading this now, you got two years more than Colin, and that is a beautiful thing.

Thank you Colin, for continuing to reminding me how lucky I really am. You’re a great friend.

Miss you “Bug”, everyday.