Plenty of reasons to be optimistic

Despite the doom and gloom spread by news media, there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about our future.

Here are a few reasons.

Advances in Medicine: Innovations like gene editing, immunotherapy, and AI-powered diagnostics are revolutionizing healthcare, improving lives, and extending lifespans.

Environmental Progress: Renewable energy sources like solar and wind are rapidly growing, helping to reduce carbon emissions globally.

Global Collaboration: International efforts such as climate summits and global health initiatives demonstrate humanity’s ability to unite for common goals.

Technological Innovations: Breakthroughs in fields like artificial intelligence, robotics, and quantum computing continue to solve complex problems and improve daily life.

Rising Awareness: More people are becoming educated about issues like mental health, sustainability, and social justice, leading to meaningful change.

Cures and Vaccines: Diseases once considered incurable are now manageable or preventable, and vaccine development has accelerated tremendously.

Space Exploration: Exciting missions to Mars, moon colonies, and the search for extraterrestrial life inspire wonder and innovation.

Youth Activism: Young people are leading movements for climate action, equality, and innovation, bringing fresh ideas to old challenges.

Global Connectivity: The internet and social media connect people across the globe, fostering understanding and collaboration.

Education Accessibility: Online learning platforms and scholarships are making education accessible to millions worldwide.

Decline in Poverty: Global poverty rates have declined significantly over the past few decades due to economic growth and targeted programs.

Innovations in Agriculture: Advances like vertical farming and drought-resistant crops promise to combat hunger and food insecurity.

Scientific Discoveries: From understanding the human brain to mapping the universe, science continues to unlock awe-inspiring mysteries.

Resilient Ecosystems: Conservation efforts are leading to the recovery of endangered species and ecosystems.

Humanitarian Efforts: Grassroots organizations and global NGOs are addressing crises with compassion and effectiveness.

Energy Independence: Green technologies like hydrogen fuel and battery innovations promise a cleaner, self-sustaining future.

Cultural Exchange: Art, music, and literature from diverse cultures are becoming more accessible, fostering global appreciation and unity.

Mental Health Progress: Growing conversations and resources for mental health are breaking stigmas and helping people lead fulfilling lives.

Entrepreneurial Spirit: Startups and innovations continue to emerge, solving challenges and creating jobs.

Human Resilience: History shows that humanity has overcome immense challenges, proving our capacity for adaptation and growth.

Marina sunrise

The marina was full of sailboats

All sleeping sound at night

Most of them on permanent moorings

A few were overnight visitors

They were the ones who woke up first

Chatting incessantly at dawn

Speculating if the sunrise would be special today

The long timers were not amused

Its only a sunrise

We get them here most days

Not worth waking up for

Keep down the chatter 

Some of use want to sleep more

The visitors ignored them

Wow look at that big sky

The clouds are lit up orange and purple

Lets turn to watch the sunrise

They were in awe of the spectacle

The rising orange sun floated on the horizon

Was it under the ocean all night

Did the sun just wake up too

Does the sun make these colors for fun

Is he in awe looking at us 

This could never get tiring

The sun rose higher and the colors faded away

Soon it was all over with dull cloudy skies

Wow that was amazing

You resident sail boats are so lucky

You should all we waking early daily to watch this

The residents were totally unfazed

Go back to sleep

It was only a sunrise

You need to rest more

We have a hard day of sailing ahead

The wind started to pick up

Chopping up the surface of the bay

A few early sailers appeared

Rolling down sails in preparation

The newcomers were excited

Oh we get to explore this bay

Maybe we will see dolphins

Lets see who can sail fastest

I will win today

The residents were not amused

Why do they let visitors moor here

They always wake up too early

Its was just another sunrise 

My sails are still tired from racing yesterday

A few hours later

All the visitors were away sailing

The remaining residents dozed

Peace at last

Thank goodness they left

I hope they all sink today

There was however one dissenter

I am glad they woke us early

Sunrise was truly incredible today

Things you only notice when crossing the pond

Things that Europeans notice when visiting the United States

Everything is measured in ‘old’ units

Public bathroom doors have huge gaps

Meal portions are huge

People take food home from restaurants, frowned upon in Europe

American flags are everywhere

Service staff are badly paid and need tips to survive

Dwellings are so much bigger

Cars are bigger and guzzle gas

Everybody says thank you

Mail is left in the street in an open mailbox

Dollar bills of all denominations are the same size and color

Drinking age of 21 is the highest in the world

………………………………………

Americans notice these when visiting Europe

Hotel rooms generally much smaller

No electrical outlets in bathrooms

Culture is different in each European country- food, language, traditions, landscapes, architecture etc

Washing machines are smaller and dryers are not universal, people mostly air laundry dry

Stereotypes are not true, French people are typically friendly. Most Europeans speak English and are not offended if you don’t speak their language

Cities are much more walkable

Public transport is extensive and easily accessible

Most public toilets charge a small fee

Drinks are served without ice

People eat dinner later

Meals are not rushed and you have to ask for the bill

Food quality in Europe is excellent

Sow some friendship seeds today

Everybody is on a journey in life

We all have struggles and obstacles to overcome

Other’s struggles are not always obvious when you first meet them

People develop incredible skills to hide their problems from view

If you show kindness and compassion to others it will certainly help them

Even if they don’t acknowledge it

Pay it forward every day

Sometimes you will get it paid back

Be bold and show your appreciation for the kindness of others

Its the seed that can sow a friendship

Happy paying it forward day

Happy seed sowing day

Happy friendship harvesting day

Make the best of everything you have

They say if you can’t have the best of everything, make the best if everything you have

I woke up this morning and studied the trees outside my bedroom window

Gold, rust, deep red, orange and green were all on display

Autumnal colors are just about peaking in this area

Its costs nothing but a few moments in time to be in awe of this dynamic explosion of nature’s palette

I took a walk along a wooded trail

Stepping on a carpet of fresh fallen leaves

They rustled and swished under my feet

Urging me to look down at their fallen display

Their last hurrah before mulching into the winter soil

I picked up a few brilliantly colored leaves on the trail

Brought them home and pressed them in a book

I will bring them out some time in the future

To relive these beautiful autumn moments

Leaves keep falling

Seasons march on

A spectator pauses to make memories

Make the best of everything you have today

Dentist speak

I went to the dentist yesterday

Not to fix a dental problem

Routine planned maintenance with the hygienist 

Stacey is a very pleasant young lady

We started by chatting about our respective families

As she positioned me horizontal in the chair

I lost all sight of her pretty face

When she switched on her miner’s cyclopes bright light

I closed my eyes and surrendered 

My mouth was soon filled with suction tubes, mirrors on sticks and a super strong power washer 

The equipment made a lot of noise

Far too much to hold a conversation

But we had one anyway, throughout the whole procedure:

Stacey: did you have family visiting over the summer?

Me:  ug ger ga ga ker grah

Stacey: where did you take them?

Me: ugh gee ent to gag goo ged gra gee gan gace

Stacey: their pita bread is delicious, we love the mezza there

Me: gee guv kit coo

Stacey: how old is your grandson?

Me: gee gill ge gelve goon

Stacey: oh twelve is that funny age where they start to change into a teenager

Me: ges gee gi ga git goody

Stacey: where did you go on vacation this year?

Me: ge gen koo ahh gan gan goo geng gan

Stacey: did you see the northern lights in Iceland?

Me: go gi gas goo gla gee gut ge gaw got gata gawl

Stacey: oh those beautiful waterfalls, I saw your the photos on FaceBook

Me: ugh goan goo ga guc, ga gaw guh gy ge gife

Stacey: oh yes she is your social media queen, I am almost finished now, just one last rinse

I felt ice cold water gushing into my mouth like a fire house

My teeth don’t like extreme temperatures

The pain was instant

I closed my eyes tighter

Praying it would end soon

Stacey:  how are you doing?

Me: ga gow gawgu gake gy gee gaw

Stacey:  thats normal but it will all be done soon

The fire hose was turned off

The suction tube drained my mouth and half my internal organs

My teeth stopped screaming at me

She finished off with a rotating brush and gritty toothpaste

Then it was all over

A final mouthwash rinse and I was able to talk human again

Stacey: see you in six months, have a great winter

Me: you too, it was good to catch up

Soon I was back outside and walking towards my car

Making resolutions to floss daily 

So that Stacey has less need to power wash my molars

I decided to weigh myself when I got home

I must surely have lost pounds in plaque

Balancing the virtual books

Wages in my first job were paid in cash

That bundle of notes felt oh so sweet

Hard labor and hard earned currency

Spending those notes carefully

Taking some time at the end of every month

To be sure there was some real money left for savings

Proudly walking into the bank with cash in hand

To make a deposit into my savings account

Then along came along paychecks

Just a piece of paper detailing my earnings

With a deposit directly into my bank account

The bank gave me a card for cash withdrawals

And a checkbook for paying bills

Not seeing the physical cash come and go

It was harder to balance the budget 

I had to read all the check book stubs and bank statements

To be sure of having some money in the bank at the end of the month

My first credit card was intriguing

I could use this plastic toy to buy lots of stuff

They allowed me to spend well in excess of my income

It took a lot of willpower to stay out of debt

Thankfully I had the discipline to pay it off in full every month

No mounting credit card debt

Today there are so many ways to spend my money

Direct debits, Venmo, PayPal, Zelle and Apple Pay

Purchases are just a click away on Amazon

I can wave my phone at the checkout

I recently took a trip to Europe and spent no cash at all

No need to exchange currency when you pay everything with a swipe

They have made spending way too easy now

No more fumbling in my wallet for cash

Its even harder to balance a budget these days

Money is no longer something you can touch and feel

Its become a virtual commodity

Now I pause at the end of each virtual month

I have to ask an App if I am virtually solvent or bankrupt