The Forest and The Trees

Today, everyone sweats the little stuff or they don't sweat at the big stuff. Frankly, who wants to? Nothing is worse than pit stains when faced with a big deal. Sorry, that train of thought was a little derailed. Back to the original point, someone once told me to 'look at the forest, not just the trees'. This is a valid metaphor, because often the whole is more than the sum of its parts. Many people I know will stare for hours at each and every tree, counting leaves, noting every imperfection, and in short completely missing the fact that they are in a forest. Others focus entirely too much on the forest, and don't give 2 cents about the trees, much less the leaves. But in the midst of these people, there is a handful that appreciate the forest, but can also enjoy the trees, and one among them who lives in the forest and makes something better out of the trees for themselves and others (this both in the literal and metaphorical sense). This is the balance many never realize exist, few strive for, and even less find.

Summer Vacation

It's a thing that every kid waits for, every parent dreads, and every working grown-up craves. It's three months of paradise for the under-18s and three months of hell for the adults. But why? During the nine normal months, students daydream of 3 months of pools, malls, exotic locales, and no homework. In reality, its 3 months of reruns, mosquitoes and isolation. It's not all bad though. For example, all the guys in my family go fishing in Canada for a week at one point (which always leads to hilarity and cursing) but is a great way to relieve stress. It's at times like that I really think that I'm getting just a little taste, a sample, a glimpse of the fantasy that is everyone's perfect summer.