What is important…

I haven’t felt much like posting lately. My good friend had an apartment fire and pretty much lost everything he owns. Fortunately, he was out of town at the time, so all he lost were possessions, and we are quite grateful for that. But when these kinds of events happen, one does tend to gain a little perspective into what is really important. The trick is to hold onto it after the shock wears off.

On the good news front, we also bought a Civic Hybrid this week, which I love.

So this week, I highlight our species’ talent for ignoring what is really important. And to exemplify this, I present the head of NASA Michael Griffin, who is not at all worried about climate change and told National Public Radio:

I guess I would ask which human beings, where and when, are to be accorded the privilege of deciding that this particular climate that we have right here today, right now, is the best climate for all other human beings. I think that’s a rather arrogant position for people to take.

I think what is arrogant is wantonly destroying our environment with our selfishness, greed and shortsightedness, then telling future generations they should be glad they can wear shorts all year.

So what is really important? For me, it’s being able to slow down and savor my life, take pleasure in the small things while yet focusing on making some kind of difference, and always live in accordance with my core values. When work pressures increase and the whims of beauracracies dictate my day’s activities, this is what I need to focus on.