Videos
Can You Spare 5 Minutes to See the Whole World?
So many days, I wake when it’s dark, drive to work in a hypnotic daze and then drive home far after the sun has gone down. I can easily go 4 full days, hardly seeing the world that exists outside of my apartment and office building. It’s a shameful pattern, and even in the winter, there’s no decent excuse for it.
Recently, I found this video made by photographer Kiem Lam. After quitting his job last year, he packed his bag, grabbed his camera and bought a one way ticket to London. 17 countries later, he compiled this time lapse of the many amazing places he visited. In total, this video is 5 minutes, so really no longer than the time it takes to get an afternoon snack. But, it’s a magnificent reminder of the vast beauty, culture and color than are waiting if we just take the time to explore. I think of this as an updated version of the “smell the roses” adage— a 5 minute kick in the face reminding to get up and walk about in the world at large. Even if it’s only for a few minutes, just get up out of my chair, acknowledge the sun and thank it, with all of my heart, for showing up each day.
Meet Rita, Seattle’s Most Fantastic 80-Year-Old
Rita owns more than 70 pairs of wild, colorful sunglasses that friends have gifted to her over the years.
Tightrope Walking Through the Alps: A Spectacular Peace
It’s not often that we willingly put ourselves in situations of mortal fear, just to see what kind of person (stronger, better, more grateful) comes out the other side. There’s something to be said for people who will do so— give themselves so freely to the universe, ride the air, be at the very whim of the breeze and rocks around them.
I’ve never had the chance, but I’ve heard from people who slackline, skydive, etc., that after the initial leap, there’s a remarkable shift that happens: somehow, the terror in your stomach loosens and a sense of gratitude fills your mind— gratitude for being alive and for feeling simply at one with the world around you.
Here is the trailer for a magnificent documentary called I Believe I Can Fly (Flight Of The Frenchies), by Montaz-Rosset, which follows a bunch of daring Frenchies as they climb, slackline, base jump and tightrope walk across the Alps. It’s a beautiful part of the world and equally beautiful mindset to spend 15 minutes in. And, the documentary does well to convey both the fear and peace that exist within these adventures.
When was the last time you saw a piece of nature that made your palms sweat, inspired awe, made you want to breathe just a little bit deeper so you could carry home a gasp of that beautiful air within you?
I Believe I can Fly ( flight of the frenchies ). Free segment from sebastien montaz-rosset on Vimeo.