My Idea for a Meaningful Life

Having a meaningful life is a concept everyone wants. Everyone wants to feel like they have a purpose or make a difference, but above that everyone wants to be happy. For some this is achieved by being with family and friends. For others this is accomplished by working and getting a paycheck to buy different things. Whatever the case maybe the end result that is wanted, is one that involves love, happiness and a sense of security.

As this picture shows, happiness doesn't involve having everything, it is achieved by making the best of what you have, whether that is friends and family, a job or even just something to eat.

 

What makes me happy is being outdoors, anything that involves being in or around water or wilderness. The fresh air and the chance of adventure will always put a smile on my face. Finding whatever it is that puts a smile on your face is a huge step to having a meaningful life. With happiness life is worth living and living life brings happiness as long as you appreciate what you have and love what you do.

 

The most important thing to remember is that happiness is a way that you live and strive for, it's not something that you settle for. Being happy takes work at times, but even smiling when your are upset can begin to change your mood. Smile, love and live and happiness will follow.

A Discussion on Advertising

I have always been somewhat conscious of that impact that advertisements can have. When I was younger I always wanted to be able to buy the flashy new toy, or some football jersey, but now that I have grown up, my wants have become centered around my needs. Such as I need food or I need shorts or new shirts for work. Now I don't look at advertisements (only if they are for discount prices) and instead I look at products themselves to determine if it is something that I can or will use. The perceived power of advertisements is what gives them power.

5 Photo Essay

Identity

Hiking in the mountains or through the wilderness in general is something that has always made me happy. The open air, the lack of people and the vast expanse of a seemingly never ending landscape creates mystery and intrigue. It makes me want to explore.

                              

The inherent risk and reward that comes with mountain biking is what draws me to it. I love that feeling of being on the edge of control and coming out the other side with adrenaline coursing through my body. This is also a great activity that gets me into the wilderness where I feel at ease.

Shooting pool is another aspect of my identity that resonates with who I am. The attention to detail the focus and determination it takes to be good is something that I thoroughly enjoy.

  The thrill that comes with gliding on top of frozen water down the side of a mountain is one that really brings a smile to my face. The quiet of the ride to the top and the rush of weaving in and out of trees or just pointing the nose of the board straight downhill and going as fast as I can are only a few aspects of this sport that I enjoy.

As the theme of these pictures have shown, I enjoy most anything that gets me outdoors, moving around and exploring. Another thing all these activities have in common is the focus and mental concentration needed to be successful at them. This last picture was taken at the Crane Creek disc golf course after I got my first hole-in-one.

Views of the Summit

The vast wilderness lies at the foot of the massively majestic mountain

The bright sun embraces me in a blanket of warmth

The summit is as crisp and clear as a babbling brook

A sense of adventure overwhelms me

While the peaceful view puts me at ease

The Fractal Black Hole

Several new theories are being talked about in the physics and quantum physics worlds. From the idea that this reality could just be a holographic simulation to string theory, the possibility that there are endless dimensions coexisting at the same time just outside visible frequency ranges. But one theory that truly "blows my mind" for lack of a better term are the new hypotheses coming out regarding black holes. This theory states that within each massive black hole, which is at the center of every galaxy (of which there are endless numbers), exists the possibility that an entirely different universe exists. What this means, as explained by the popular and well-respected astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson, the possibility of a truly infinite number of realities exist and happen. So every thought, every single action, every single opportunity that could exist has already happened. As I am typing this, another version of myself could be typing the exact same thing, and yet another version could be typing just a slight variation.... Wow. Mind blown.

Photo courtesy of:  http://7uncle.wordpress.com/2009/01/20/227/

5 Looks at The Giver

5 key words from the book The Giver would Confusion, Community, Likeness, Memory, Lie.

Confusion: I feel this is an important word because it encompasses how Jonas feels for the book. He is confused about feelings or "stirrings" ( we all know what those mean), also confusion in what his assignment might be.

Community: This is a very important concept in Jonas' life. The sense of community and the assigned positions each person has seems to be an integral part in how their society functions.

Likeness: Each person, though different in who they are, are essentially the same. From each age that they progress through they all wear the same things, are told to follow the same rules and told to feel the same things.

Memory: I feel this is a crucial element to this book. This is essentially what the "Giver" is giving to Jonas. Even with his very first encounter and the memory of snow being transmitted.

Lie(s): After receiving his assignment, Jonas learns he has the ability to lie. Though this doesn't seem like it would affect him much, he quickly learns that perhaps other people have authority to do the same. This in turn starts making him doubt if the questions he is now able to ask, are in fact truthful answers being given.


Photo courtesy of: http://dailyhealthpost.com/6-ways-youre-causing-your-own-memory-loss/#axzz2hBUW9yEh

6 Word Memoir

I found love at age 20.

Privacy.. Is it attainable?

With all this talk of N.S.A spying and F.B.I data gathering programs privacy seems to be a foregone idea, left behind with VHS tapes and cassette players. But the truth is, privacy is viable today. Just not to the extent of what we are used to. The fact of the matter is that if you don't want something known or you want to keep something private don't put it on the internet. While this seems to be a bit ridiculous to have to practice self censorship, this idea is the same it has always. Big Brother can't read my mind... Yet.


Photo courtesy of:  http://ssiknowledgewatch.com/2012/07/17/the-right-to-privacy-in-a-digital-world/

5 Things to know about me

Of the many things about me, I will narrow it to only 5 to ease into this introduction.

1) The first would be that I am an outdoor enthusiast. Anything that gets me outdoors, gets me  happy.

2) I am a hard-worker

3) I enjoy working with my hands and creating something from nothing. From carpentry, to solar panel installation to general construction... And the occasional destruction.

4) I like being healthy. Whether it is eating healthy or working out. Being active is an important part of my life.

5) The last thing to know about me.... I am a nice guy.