TheHumanElement.Life | Page 2 | Relentlessly pursuing what connects us. One person, one moment at a time.

If not me, then who, if not now, when?

June 1, 2015

I experienced unexpected challenges during my host provider change the last two weeks. The kinks worked out, the site now loads in 1/3rd the time. Now back to the good stuff... Happy Monday! Can you believe that we are in June already? The many times I discounted my father's wisdom, time flies quickly as we get older... He was right. For several months I sought out paths for a "creative" avenue, I pondered art classes to take, things to study but nothing resonated to my core. Thinking back to […]

Effie, Brace yourself, Thank You Mrs. Doubtfire…

May 26, 2015

Today's Tuesday Takeaway, Mrs. Doubtfire In 1993, Thanksgiving ushered in a new character named Mrs. Doubtfire who continues to bring laughter some 21 years later. I'd like to share with you one of my favorite scenes of the movie, the interviews. Do you have a favorite character? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=is0RMnx0sAo My favorite inquiry is a toss-up between I am Job and don't make me get the hose. While traveling over the weekend I debated whether a Mrs. Doubtfire clip from the movie woul[…]

The Detox I start tomorrow! I need your help!

May 19, 2015

Good Morning! Today's Tuesday Takeaway, time for a Detox. Phew, are we busy, busy, busy, busy people? First things first on the docket today, rollover to check my phone, tweet, update my Facebook status, comment on my friend's status, Facebook Messenger, post to Instagram, Home email, work email, junk email, send texts.... (lather, rinse, repeat) I can't fathom a world without social media, how would I talk to people? I would miss out on that post about the SNL skit and I just might offend […]

How One Restless Night Changed My Life, The Human Element

May 18, 2015

Mantra: man-tra (noun) - (Originally in Hinduism and Buddhism) A word or sound repeated to aid concentration in meditation. A Vedic hymn a statement or slogan repeated frequently I often thought the phrase Happy Monday was an oxymoron. For those in the corporate world, it's the start of the work week and conclusion of the short two day break. The past thirty days has forever changed my perspective on life which will continue to ignite my pursuit in the better of humanity. People […]

An unsung hero, daughter battling cancer, will you dance?

May 15, 2015

Often times I find solace in the flicker of candlelight. I lit my hurricane lamp trying to fight back tears, bewildered on the pain on Jane’s heart. I asked for Jane’s permission before adding some personal interactions below. Jane is a mother, grandmother and a friend of so many. I have been fortunate enough to have Jane in my life after only two in person moments, the second time being the Jet Drag. I joined Relay for Life because Jane’s passion for the event, it hit close to home, and the gre[…]

Deep breath, now exhale… You are ALIVE!

May 13, 2015

Gearing myself up mentally for a long day before me tomorrow starting early and non stop meetings. I took a pause last night reflecting on my #TuesdayTakeaway Challenge - Can’t Sleep? Maybe you are NOT living #TuesdayTakeaway Challenge: When you crawl into bed tonight take a moment to give thanks for air in your lungs. Give thought to one thing you will do tomorrow to celebrate being alive. After all, each day when you wake up is a good day. I crawled into bed last night hearing the heavy exhal[…]

Can’t Sleep? Maybe you are NOT living

May 12, 2015

Happy Tuesday! Today I contemplated what would I post for a Tuesday, taking a Mad Libs approach to guide me to the answer. Tuesday ______________ (Tidbit... Tangent... Takeaway... Takeout...) Today’s Tuesday Takeaway is a quote by Michael Xavier. Quote: The reasons we can’t sleep at night are usually the same reasons we don’t truly live during the day. Michael Xavier Many of us, myself included, spend countless nights staring at the ceiling attempting to turn our mind off. Restful nights are f[…]

A 2 Minute Journey Along Moon River

May 11, 2015

Motivation: Mo-ti-va-tion - The general desire or willingness of someone to do something. Today I ask for 2 minutes of your time in a challenge to motivate you to connect your mind with your body. I remember my first flight to Europe, 1996 JFK-FRA on Delta Air Lines. Filled with excitement to arrive in Europe, experience such a larger jet, I found myself gazing outside the window for hours. Mid flight I noticed the ocean far below us lit by a beautiful full moon over the Atlantic. Thinkin[…]

7 Days Since Jet Drag, A Blank Stare

May 11, 2015

It have reached a solid brain block in deciphering what and when to compose next. All too often a very familiar trait I have learned of myself is that something which should be simple my mind sees it as quite the opposite. Overthinking, perhaps something with photos, screenshots, outputs, what else more? Do I need to write a longer post to appease people and keep them interested? Can I post an update about #theHumanElement out of sequence to the other happenings in my life? What I ca[…]

ACTION! Postcards 4 Parker, Relay 4 Life Challenge #Pulling4Parker

April 24, 2015

( PLEASE SHARE THIS POST - http://j.mp/ForParker ) In March, Jane Mitchell an Atlanta based flight attendant, kicked off fundraising for the annual Delta Airlines Jet Drag team benefiting Relay for Life. Jane’s donation link: http://j.mp/Relay4Life4Jane . What is a Jet Drag? A Jet Drag lasts only seconds involving a team of 20 people tugging on a rope to get a 757 to move a set distance. The 757 is my top domestic plane for her design, speed, power and climb. Delta has 9 variants of the 757-[…]

A Journey to define The Human Element (THE)

April 23, 2015

A month ago someone asked me, in 5 years, what will your brand be. Not an MBA question nor where will you be working, what will YOUR brand be. This thought provoking question left me also slightly unnerved. What would my brand be? In 5 years, what would my life have shaped up into? For several years I have engaged in lengthy conversations on The Human Element (THE). This is not our evolution to the automation of processes to reduce human error or our impact to global warming but an innate connec[…]

VIDEO | Towards the Sun by Rick Mereki #breathtaking #vimeo

March 22, 2014

Last month I ran across a vimeo by Rick Mereki called Move. In February he added "Towards the Sun". If you ever imagined some of the most breathtaking moments of seeing the sun, this video filmed in the Canary Islands, captures them. Take a moment, and enjoy the view. Kudos to #RickMereki . http://vimeo.com/86002097 […]

Article | He Killed Himself After An Argument With His Mom. What She Did Next …

February 23, 2014

Greetings from a Delta 1757 (B752 N661DL) to ATL from SNA. I ran across a story on viralnovelty about a son who killed himself and what his mother did with his ashes for the places in the world he wanted to see. (Article: He Killed Himself After An Argument With His Mom. What She Did Next Is Unbelievable. / 11-Feb-2014 ) After a fight between mom (Hallie) and her 20 year old son (CJ), formerly in the military, the mother created a campaign to have his ashes spread around the world. I hope you en[…]

Quote Dalai Lama XIV: Every day, think as you wake up, today I am fortunate to be…

August 4, 2013

"Every day, think as you wake up, today I am fortunate to be alive, I have a precious human life, I am not going to waste it. I am going to use all my energies to develop myself, to expand my heart out to others; to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings. I am going to have kind thoughts towards others, I am not going to get angry or think badly about others. I am going to benefit others as much as I can.” - Dalai Lama XIV […]

A Retrospective Look at 9/11, Eleven years later

September 11, 2012

Enjoying Helen today and as it approaches to 1am, I have spent a few minutes of time reflecting on that day in history, 9/11. A day that for our generation will be paramount similar to where were you during Pearl Harbor or when JFK was shot. No doubt you remember where you were when you heard the news, but my story I often try not to think about as it all seems too surreal to fathom. My good friend is a flight attendant for United Airlines, at the time we had all plans to visit NYC, explore the […]

“31 Minutes to Take Off”, how Flying Evokes Emotion in me

July 14, 2011

While preparing dinner last night, Slacker popped up the album 31 Minutes to Take Off by Mike Posner. The song of the cover is only 53 seconds but what grabbed me was the album cover. Sitting on a plane at sunset, no one next to you, seat in front of you, and bound for wherever the jet is going to touch down. Whenever it is close to take off, I still get the feeling of excitement. The plane pushing back from the gate, being cleared to taxi, and finally rolling down the runway. Looking out the sm[…]

The Person Behind the Pursuit

I'm Douglas. Since 2015 I've been on a relentless pursuit to define The Human Element. The innate quality that draws us closer to one another. One name, one moment, one person at a time. I believe there is light in all of us. This site is my attempt to protect it.
Be humble, be grateful, be true to you.
Read more about the journey →

_{Opinions expressed are solely my own and do not reflect the views of my employer.}