black museum.

So if you believe in a Hell, or if you know someone who believes in a Hell - where people are eternally tortured, I have a challenge for you. 

Watch. Or invite that person over to watch episode 6 season 4 of Black Mirror. It's called "Black Museum". It's dark, of course. Hell is dark. 

It isn't specifically about Hell but think of the concept of Hell as you watch. If you - or the person who believes in Hell - watches that episode and still believes in Hell - well, I'll be honest. I'd be worried.

universalism...

This is part question and part statement.

If you aren't a universalist, how can you possibly, correctly, understand the love of God? 

today.

We bought one of those little signs that you can slide letters into and light up. You know the ones. They're big right now. 

Problem is, there is lots of pressure to come up with a wise saying that will fit into the thing - and that we have enough letters for. The pressure. We've all got to be inspired when we walk into the kitchen! 

So, how's this? 

Today, or not today. 

That is the question.
Arguably the only one. 

If it's not today, it was yesterday or it will be tomorrow and, well, yesterday is all memories and tomorrow is all ideas about future events so really if it's not today - what is it?

We can remember today, of course. And we should. We can plan today, of course. And we should. 

But there's no use wasting time today on something that doesn't need to happen today.
And if it does need to happen today, well, then make it happen! 

hard to believe.

I just watched The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo because my wife read the book and because it's filmed in Sweden and, well, we needed some Sweden. It's a pretty dark movie but there is a great line in it: It’s hard to believe that the fear of offending can be stronger than the fear of pain.

Of course there is the obvious fear of offending your grandparents by swearing at the dinner table but there is also the fear of telling someone no, of letting someone down, of breaking with the expected and ritualistic - when you know you are supposed to. 

life vs. money.

I was talking to a friend who said something along these lines: I've never met anyone who was sincerely pursuing the kind of life they want, who didn't find enough money. They might exist but I haven't met them or heard those stories. 

To which I added something along these lines: And I've met a ton of people who were pretty intent on pursuing money and didn't find enough life.  

I'm 44 today. Here's to pursuing life and letting the money show up where it will, instead of pursuing the money and endlessly waiting for life to show up. 

I think Jesus said similar as well... seeking first or something like that... right? 

preference.

Would you prefer to be a protégé, a prodigal, or a prodigy?

A protégé is guided by a person who is more skilled than the average. 
A prodigal is reckless - but learns - and ends up more aware than the average.   
A prodigy is gifted beyond the average. 

Each of them brings us somewhere above average but by very different means... 

Instruction. 
Failure. 
Talent. 

The good news is we probably don't need to choose. In fact, if you're lucky, you have all 3 in your life. 

lucky.

What role does luck play in success? What role has it played in your success or lack thereof? 

The answer to that question might determine as much as the answer to any question in how we see the world and the humanity in it. 

convincing...

There are two kinds of people in this world. 

One kind is trying to convince you of something. 

The other kind is trying to convince you of something else. 

So who are you listening to? What are you trying to convince people of? 

(And you're not allowed to say you're not trying to convince anyone of anything. In that case, you're just trying to convince people that you don't have any ulterior motives or agendas - which might be the hardest thing of all - probably because it's not true.) 

trumped.

After returning from Europe and reminding myself that we have an amazing system that limits the power of kings and that we will most likely never have a king as bad as most European countries have had, I feel as relaxed and calm about our current government as I ever have. 

That said, Trump apparently said yesterday that the United States needs to keep out people from "shithole countries" and bring in more people from places like Norway. The White House hasn't denied the statement and numerous sources have confirmed it. 

It brings up an interesting point... and it's not the fact that Trump thinks there are shithole countries nor it is it that he doesn't want people from those countries. I don't think that's shocking to anyone. 

More interesting, to me, is the fact that Trump thinks someone from Norway would want to move to the United States.

Why in the hell would anyone want to move here from Norway?

You can look up the stats on your own - it's a fun time - but the U.N. recently named Norway (again) the number one spot to live in the world. 

1. Norway — For the 13th consecutive year, Norway ranked highest in standard of living, life expectancy, and education. Thanks to the country's robust, publicly funded healthcare system, the average life expectancy is 82 years.

Now ranking countries is difficult but according to most every meaningful metric Norway is up there, if not number one. 

And, according to that same study the United States is 11. 

So, again, more important than the fact that there are perceived lower countries, it's important to remember that there might be 10 "better" countries that we can humble ourselves and learn from. 

Oh and Norway's prison system is generally regarded as the most humanizing and healing in the world. It's prison rate is 75 per 100,000 compared to 707 per 100,000 for the U.S. It's recidivism is generally the lowest in the world at about 20%. The U.S. has a rate of about 76%. 

Oh, and Norway recently pledged 1.2 billion dollars to the Syrian refugee criss which is the equivalent of $240/person. The U.S. has pledged about $16 a person. (But Norway's GDP of $97,000/person is nearly double the U.S.)

Oh, and though Norway has recently tightened up its restrictions, it has been generally been a leader in the world in accepting people from "shithole countries". 

Yeah, there is much we can learn. 

escaping reality.

You can't escape reality. Stop trying to escape reality. 

They will say. 

I agree.

Unless the reality you are trying to escape is a bad one. 

america? great?

Always have to be a little careful with statistics - as they can be manipulated to say a lot of things. 

But, you can read the article for yourself and form your own opinion. 

Children between the ages of 15 and 19 are 82 times more likely to die from gun homicide in the United States than in peer countries.

Between 2001 and 2010, researchers found that the risk of death in the United States was 76 percent higher for infants than in peer countries. In addition, the US has an infant death rate from extreme prematurity three times that of its peer countries.

If you're reading this blog, I assume you have nothing to be afraid of. You'll be fine.

The reason the numbers are becoming so bad, relative to other peer countries, is not because of the wealthy and/or middle class in the United States, but because of this growing mass in our culture called "the poor". 

I'm all for making America great again. The follow-up question is really important. 

For who? 

sweden summary 2.

The best thing about traveling anywhere, but, I believe, especially internationally, is the humanity of it all. 

It's a huge reminder that we are all humans, just trying to do our best. 

To eat. To see. To drink. To laugh. To cry. To meet. To understand. To talk. To form relationships and affect the world in a better way.

Yes, some of us are doing life better than others. Some have been given more to work with than others. Some have been handed tragedy since their first breath and some have been handed wealth and opportunity since theirs. 

But, no matter where we go, we find more humans, trying to do human things and we are always reminded that we are much more similar than we are different. 

sweden summary 1.

There are so many directions to go with our amazing trip to Sweden and Denmark but two things seem to wrap up how I felt. 

First.

There is an abundance of calm. It could be felt everywhere from restaurants to subways to airports. Maybe it's slower, maybe it's a few more smiles, or maybe it's a sub-conscience thing. Maybe it's just in my head. 

But, the entire family said they felt it. The energy in both countries felt more chill (not Hawaii chill though) than life in America which seems a little more hurried and, generally, afraid. 

god bless...

God bless China.
God bless Russia.
God bless France.
God bless North Korea. 
God bless Australia. 
God bless the United States of America.

Do each of those feel the same to you? Or do some feel better than others? 
Do you think God blesses countries? If so, what's that mean? 
Are any of those countries more blessed than others? 
How do you know? 
Are you blessed? 
How do you know? 

culture words.

It seems like most every culture has a word that can be used to summarize that culture. 

Hawaii. Aloha. Welcome, goodbye, breath, love. It captures a way of life. 

Sweden. Lagom. Not too much not too little. Again, a way of life that embodies Sweden. A middle ground that spreads the wealth and is content with enough. 

Denmark. Hygge. Warmth. Comfort. Again, a way of life that embodies the sense of candles and high heat on a cold dark day. It's a tone. 

Japan. Wa. Not sure on this one but it seems to work. Harmony. The greater good is more important than the individual. A way of thinking... 

Which brings us to the American culture (I realize Hawaii is in America but its culture is not.) 

What's the USA word? What represents our way of life? 

Freedom came to mind as a potential good word. 

More and fear came to mind as potential not so good ones. 

Your ideas? 

good does win.

I was flying on a German airline to a German city while reading Man's Search for Meaning - the famous (for good reasons) book about a man who survived Nazi concentration camps. It was a bit surreal as the German flight attendant asked me if I would like another glass of wine. 

In Stockholm, Sweden I went to an army museum that chronicled the numerous wars that Sweden has been through in its hundreds of years of history including numerous wars with Denmark, its now- friendly neighbor to the south. Sweden was neutral during World War II and remains neutral as of today. 

In Copenhagen, Denmark (the now friendly neighboring country) I went on a tour of a palace with a history that crosses hundreds of years and includes its own share of battles - and kings who would hold such extravagant balls when the country had no money that he had to raise taxes on the poor people - just to pay for the dinner events. Denmark still has a queen (as does Sweden) all of whom still live in castles and palaces but are fairly well loved. 

Upon returning, I listened to a podcast about the new China, the country that is now one of the leading contributors to the United Nations peacekeeping fund (ironically while the U.S. pulls funding) and contributing trillions of dollars to infrastructure in Africa and Asia (much like the U.S. did in Europe post-WWII). 

My point? 

It might be a long time getting there, but good is winning. Slowly, yes, but it's winning.

While it's tempting to become consumed with the evil, don't. Keep fighting for the good, instead, insuring that those wins come even sooner. 

open the window.

It's my pet peeve, I realize, but it serves a greater point. The lady behind me closed her window shade on takeoff and opened it when the flight attendant told her she had to for arrival. She missed Greenland, sunshine over the Canadian rockies, and a stunning approach into Seattle. 

But she didn't miss the movies she was watching the whole time. 

Yes, you can leave your literal window shade closed if you need to. But, for God's sake, don't miss everything happening outside the metaphorical window so that you can watch your Netflix in the dark.

secular countries.

Well today we head home from our epic adventure to Sweden and Denmark - two very secular countries that seem more Christian than the Christian country we are returning to. 

Isn't that the way it usually is though?

Beautiful things don't ask for attention. Neither do spiritual things.

let change.

If change is truly the only thing that remains the same in the universe it's also true that the best way to bring about change is to realize that you don't have to force it. 

new. new. new.

It's a new year for new experiences, new failures, new successes, new passions, new adventures, new attitudes, new perspectives, and new relationships.

Only if we choose.

Otherwise, the only new thing will be the numbers 2018.