Back from Neverland...

“Growing up is never easy. You hold on to things that were. You wonder what's to come...The thing is, we didn't have to have each other for getting older. We just had to forgive ourselves... for growing up." -The Wonder Years

Definitions of aging differ between biologists and behavioral scientists. For me? Aging is only change, and not always pleasant. Last night I ran into a friend whom I haven't seen in months. He seemed happy enough to see me, but he carried a new maturity I hadn't seen before. From his posture to the way he talked, he seemed older and more reserved. And very much above talking to me.

Perhaps my age is my burden. Although he's only older by a small amount, it's clear that I'm viewed as younger, and no matter what happens, he doesn't put me on the same level as he does himself. Maybe the time has come for me to grow up as well. To shed the remains of my childhood. But maybe not, for you see, when we grow up, we simply reach our own state of maturity. Being mature is simply full development of our judgment. It is, in fact, possible to do this and still hang on to childhood. It breaks my heart to see those who grow up too fast. I've watched young children, barely ten years old, sending texts on their cell phones, "dating", playing spin-the-bottle, swearing, and trying to hide all the fear of growing up they hold inside. What happened to building tree houses? To playing outside or holding lemonade stands? To teddy bears and games of fantastic imagination?

I ask all of you to hold onto your childhood. Hold onto your dignity. There's still so much time left, don't throw it away. Believe in fairy tales. Wish on stars. You'll know when your time comes. And please, never forget about your friends. Age creates no burden to love and friendship. Hold on to all this, and you will never be alone.

Keepin' it Sharp

“Passion is the element in which we live; without it, we hardly vegetate." -Lord Byron (English Romantic poet and satirist)

Passion is a powerful emotion, marking bountiful enthusiasm, and makes up the world we live in. Without passion, there is nothing. There is no color. There is no music. There is no life. Today, I was lucky enough to see passion in action. The singing group "The B-Sharps" put on a concert in Canton today, artfully titled "Keepin' it Sharp". I could go into detail about it, but to keep it short, I say simply, it moved me to tears. As a musician,I've attended countless recitals and concerts, but never have I seen such love, such enthusiasm, such talent as I did today. The singers truly loved being there, and their talent was astonishing. I believe that art is our purpose here on Earth. It's simply rare to find it displayed with such passion. When we hear music like this, or see breathtaking paintings, or great acting, we find another place on earth. We find our purpose, our being, our shared soul. Perhaps their director said it best. "Go on out there and enjoy it. Do what you love." Never be afraid to do what you love. It is through doing what we love that we find our places in the world. So follow your heart, and find your passion, and as for those who mind? They do not matter. And those who truly matter? They do not mind.

Come to the River

"And he showed me a pure River of Water of Life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the Throne of God and of the Lamb." Revelation 22:1


Today we visited the Farmington River as part of our ecology unit. In our daily life, we often forget the beauty of the everyday. Standing there on the bank was enlightening. The silver spay caress the rocks, the perfect crystal mirror and my heart quivering with the melody of peace. Perhaps the purpose of the life lies in the moments of every day. Heaven can be found on earth, in those perfect moments.
However, with every bit of beauty there lies an ugly underside. Here are the facts.

• 40% of America's rivers are too polluted for fishing, swimming, or aquatic life.
• 46% of America's lakes are too polluted for fishing, swimming, or aquatic life.
• 1.2 trillion gallons of untreated sewage, storm water, and industrial waste are discharged into US waters annually.
• Each year, plastic waste in water and coastal areas kills up to 100,000 marine mammals, 1 million sea birds, and countless fish.
• One billion people across the globe still lack safe drinking water

Why do we allow this? Why do we not stop it? This is our problem, because this is our now and this is our future. Don't convince yourself this doesn't matter. Look around. It might not matter today, or even tomorrow, but I know in the future, that I want to be able to take my daughter outside, to show to her the clear blue sky, to let her swim in the ocean, to let her play in the trees. I want her to know the African elephant, the blue whale, the gorilla, even the panda, and not because they've become extinct, but because she will have been able to see them. I want the same for my grandchildren, and for many generations to come.
Success is knowing that at least one life has breathed easier because you lived. So I encourage you, succeed! Baby steps are all we need. Save energy, use www.blackle.com instead of google. Check labels on hairspray and similar products. Conserve water. Try walking or biking. Try eating one meatless meal a week. Borrow, don't buy. And please, recycle. Then, will you succeed? That and much more. You'll help not only one of us, but all of us.
"Come to the water, the water will flow. Stand to the night, see the light, let it grow. Hold on, for hard winds are starting to blow –Stand up!Hold on! And swear you won't let go... "-Coming Together ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A200Yovf7g8)

Revival

"When you die, you lose a very important part of your life." -Brooke Shields


I realize that I've seemingly killed this blog. It lies motionless, with no views, and no posts. However, life takes crazy turns. We fall, and we rise again. So I bring back Organized Chaos with a more personal flair. Welcome back.