…the totality is not, as it were, a mere heap, but the whole is something besides the parts. Aristotle.
Every now and again I look at photos of our previous home. It’s not necessarily a good thing to do. I loved it so much. If I had photos of all my much-loved friends, I’d probably be looking at those too. But in the beginning of a new adventure it never helps to look back. All focus must remain squarely in front of you. You’re standing in front of the proverbial tunnel, looking for the light.
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What has the world come to? How has hate become the ruling emotion in the world? Is it the instant on-screen nature, and the speed of lives these days? I don’t think there’s an answer to this. I challenge you to find a day when there aren’t reports of all the above “newsworthy” items.
There are mountain views, and spectacular skyscapes, today with little puffy white clouds suspended above them. Tall trees, ancient, huge and inspiring wonder, provide welcome shade this summer.
Let’s go on to more pressing things.
All things octopus
So what does an octopus dream about?
Well, we’re still not quite sure. There are some definites though. When an octopus sleeps its colour changes. This apparently closely resembles our own sleep patterns. Its eyes close. They have a quiet sleep state, and then there is an active sleep state where there’s flickering of the eyes, and the change in colour.
The fact of the matter though, is that an octopus, for its size, has a greater brain than all other creatures. Its brain part that helps their learning and cognition is very similar to the hippocampus in us humans! They can do all kinds of problem-solving.
This returns us to a human problem at hand. With the societal need for speed and instant gratification, there’ve lately been attempts by some to establish octopus farms. After all, you should be able to rapidly multiply eight-armed delicacies just like you’d farm any other creature, right? Eight multiplied many thousands of times might supply enough calamari to satisfy the taste buds of the world. Or, would it?
It might be time to hit the “pause” button now. Stop the need for speed in everything we do.
Make enough time to do a kind deed for someone else every day. The possibilities are endless, the effect may spread to others.
During my growing-up days, it was a popular thing to try and “find yourself,” whatever that meant. People still make trips around the world, hoping to connect with countries and folks in them who manage to survive without speed, weapons and deadly force.
Now I find seeking the qualities of peace and quiet is therapeutic. They’re becoming more and more rare. You don’t have to go far though to find them. Study a single plant or tree. It echoes with something deep inside you. Pass it on. Study with a child to let them have the experience of wonder in nature. Follow any peaceful passion that you are guided towards.
Everyone knows about my passion. If you want to, we’d love to hear about yours in the comments below! And always, thank you for reading here.
Tomato therapy
I gave a small box of them to a neighbour yesterday, and he confessed to watching the growth of this plant with absolute awe! He says it has inspired him for next year.
This year he just watched, and mentally chastised himself for not doing something similar.