Relentlessly pursuing what connects us.
One person, one moment at a time.

Tag: Reflection

  • HURRY! Planes, Trains, Automobiles and Abraham Lincoln?

    HURRY! Planes, Trains, Automobiles and Abraham Lincoln?

    On Saturday, May 16th I was fortunate to tour the FAA tower at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport through the New PDK Airport Association.  The tower has a 360 wrap around deck where you can see the entire airport and downtown. Photos | Exploring the tallest ATC Tower (ATL) in North America #avgeek

    Perspective DrawingDo you remember as a kid when you drew a Perspective? At a view of nearly 400 feet above the worlds busiest airport (2014 Passenger Volume),  the wind whispered the word Perspective in my ear. Did that word call out to me because the view before me seemed like it continued on forever? Perhaps

    Having travelled 800+ flights, air travel is an intricate experience with hours upon end spend at airports.  An airport is similar to a ride at Disneyland, You rush to wait.

    Hear me out on this tangent… a typical day of air travel out of Atlanta –  You rush out of the office to avoid the afternoon traffic while contemplating is MARTA a better option today. You rush up to the platform at the MARTA station, to wait for the next train. You stand by the doors because you are nearing the end of the line at ATL. You rush out the door to beat the long line of people with their luggage awaiting the escalator, inevitably behind one. You rush to the kiosk or pull out your mobile to double-check the TSA Pre-Check stamp. You rush through security screening to not lose belongings or hold up the screening queue. You rush down the escalator to wait for the plane train. You rush up the escalator to the gate to see the plane hasn’t arrived and wait. When the plane arrives, you rush to the restroom when the plane arrives being keen to not miss the boarding zones, to return and wait.  You briskly walk to scan your boarding pass knowing the carry on baggage space saga. You rush into the jetway to wait to board the plane, which in Atlanta is miserable in the summer. You rush to pass down the aisle to put your bag up, to then sit, and wait…Arrive at your destination, unfasten seatbelt upon the chime to then wait to exit the plane.

    Knowing first hand the annoyance of the announcements, lines, obnoxious people, screaming children, yet it was all drowned out by the warm calming breeze.  When can you recollect an airport moment you would describe as peaceful?

    Gazing down from the tower on the airport below, I felt that I had stepped out of my body and soared like a bird overhead, it gave me a different perspective.

    Having you ever been pricked by a thorn of a rose? Abraham Lincoln shared his perspective –

    “We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”
    “We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.” – Abraham Lincoln

     

    I was stressed last Tuesday and I briefly closed my eyes and recollected the moment atop the ATL ATC tower. The warm breeze that drowned out the loud jet noise and the sunshine that blinded me with warmth. After only a minute, my body was calmer and reset simply by thinking of changing my perspective.

    We all could use a little more waiting and a lot less rushing.

  • Effie, Brace yourself, Thank You Mrs. Doubtfire…

    Effie, Brace yourself, Thank You Mrs. Doubtfire…

    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?

    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 would be better suited for a #FridayFeelGood or a #TuesdayTakeaway.  Welcome Mrs. Doubtfire to the Tuesday Takeaway list.

    A pop up video debuted several years ago of Mrs. Doubtfire highlighting many hidden facts about the movie. One being, Robin Williams danced to a different song in the infamous “Dude, Looks Like a Lady” scene. Ad hoc lines from Robin riddle the movie highlighting the incredible talent he had as an actor. A similar act Robin put on each day of his off-screen life until the unfortunate end.

    I can relate to Robin Williams in that I have many days where I seek out laughter of others to help calm my brain from the overwhelming chaos of thoughts. These moments of humor allow me a mental break to work towards solutions to challenges before me, delivering clarity and perspective. Maintaining high energy can be exhausting, when I am quiet people most often assume something isn’t right, simply my batteries are charging.

    Robin Williams was a talented and brilliant man that I firmly believe was like no other. Often we discount others without understanding them, one might think Robin was crazy, in the end he was human, deflecting reality with humor longing for a connection.

    Robin Williams Quote
    “I used to think the worst thing in life was to end up all alone, it’s not. The worst thing in life is to end up with people that make you feel all alone.”

     

    Having lost my mother to suicide in 1993 I can share the feeling of devastation when someone departs this world so quickly.

    Some of the most energetic people have tough times but worry more about questions of concern from others or an innate feeling to make others happy. This facade depletes what little energy the person has making the days tougher.

    Challenge: When someone makes you laugh today, say Thank You. These two words of appreciation can make all the difference when a person is masking a tough day through humor.

  • How One Restless Night Changed My Life, The Human Element

    How One Restless Night Changed My Life, The Human Element

    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 have asked what changed? Did I attend a course on finding myself or attend a religious institution? Neither,  but I experienced firsthand one of the most selfless demonstration of compassion from complete strangers that united from around the globe for Postcards For Parker, Relay for Life Challenge . In just 19 days, Parker Eckburg became a household name for 100’s, receiving 3,000+ Postcards and $14,500 raised in donation to Relay for Life. I never imagined one random thought to make a big difference. I’d like to shed some light on the night that changed my life.

    Experiencing a restless night, I glanced through twitter stumbling across a tweet by Life Coach Jordan Bach. The post prompted me to spend hours more awake exploring different aspects of life. The Parker phenomena idea came to fruition the next day. I also have recently expanded outside my comfort zone by partaking in therapy. I view that time solely dedicated to challenging myself and at times facing uncomfortable realizations.  From a career aspect I sought out a mentor who asked me the overly complicated simple question, what will be your brand in 5 years. All of these combined illuminated my mind, I felt like a single tree standing strong amidst a starry night.

    Last Sunday I felt a deep personal connection to a quote by the Dalai Lama XIV. I felt every word resonate to my guiding principle, to use each day to make a difference in at least one person’s life. I was fortunate to shake the hand of the Dalai Lama while working task force at a hotel in 2004.

    The next morning (last Monday), I began a ritual of reading the quote aloud as the start of a new daily morning motivation. I have no plans of memorizing the words, discussing with others, or speaking it aloud with others present. Somedays I speak the words twice to strike my core hard to ensure I remain mindful of my ability to impact the world around me.

    “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

    Challenge: When you awake you most likely find yourself thinking of the tasks at hand, schedule before you, dog to feed, kids to tend to. In the next week, find a word, a passage a quote that resonates with you. allow it to be your morning mantra.

    (Photo: April 09, 2005, Mauna Kea Summit, Big Island)

  • 7 Days Since Jet Drag, A Blank Stare

    7 Days Since Jet Drag, A Blank Stare

    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?

    1. Do I need to write a longer post to appease people and keep them interested?
    2. Can I post an update about #theHumanElement out of sequence to the other happenings in my life?

    What I capture on the text of the screen isn’t an avenue focused on appeasing others, rather then self growth and understanding of humanity. If those pixels on your screen mean no value that is an perfectly acceptable. Posts can flow freely, out of sequence is acceptable as that is our stream of conscious. It’s better to share thoughts then holding on to them for an opportune time that will never present itself.

    Wanting to expound upon it more, but the slight exhausting of the 9.5 flight home from a weekend trip has caught up on me.

    In Summary,  a blank stare visualizing my tapestry of life, my canvas, threads starting to weave in. Not only explore your mind, but challenge yourself how to do it. Seek that deep question on self connection and without a doubt it will be there. Most likely, it has always been there if we just search. Update on #Postcards4Parker soon!

    Welcome your comments!

    Good Night,

    Douglas

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

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

     

    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 .

     

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

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

    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 small oval window at the wing flexing as we lift off, hearing the engines rev up more, and finally the sinking feeling as we gain altitude. Looking back and seeing the runway behind us, the world passing by so quickly. Sitting down yet going so fast, how life often passes you by if you rest, while the world we live in just keeps moving faster and feeling smaller. Sitting alone on the flight, feeling the solitude knowing that an adventure can start with a plane ride and also draw to a close.

    More than anything else the sensation is one of perfect peace mingled with an excitement that strains every nerve to the utmost, if you can conceive of such a combination.  ~Wilbur Wright

    Many times I’ve gone flying and people mention they forget that the cloud layer is only so high, and above it, sun is shining. Passing through those clouds, a bump or two, and soaring above them, the shadow of the plane on the clouds growing smaller as we ascend. Closing your eyes, and you can wake up half way around the world 15 hours later. Granted, I could never sleep for 15 solid hours on a plane.

    How strange is this combination of proximity and separation.  That ground – seconds away – thousands of miles away.  ~Charles A. Lindbergh

    The quiet time on a flight allows my mind to wander, I think of friends, the path of my future, challenges in life, and oddly, I associate flying with evoking emotion. Whether it is the excitement to get to the place, or the sadness of the conclusion or a farewell, or the stress knowing the heavy tasks at hand upon arrival.

    Photo: Narita. October 14, 2011. A Delta 777 at the gate.