I recommend an early morning walk in the Boise foothills. Sunrise provides memorable lighting when the passing storms leave intricate cloud formations. Clouds are inspirational, like nature’s Rorschach test with self analysis. Song writer’s have found many ways to weave them into their theme. I first thought of Joni Mitchell singing her 1970 hit single “Both Sides Now,” many great renditions but you will enjoy the original on you tube. Let’s not forget the Rolling Stones “Get off my Cloud.” I do not understand the lyrics but I get the drift that they are looking for a place to be alone. Carly Simon has “Clouds in her coffee.” In meteorology, a cloud is an aerosol comprising a visible mass of minute liquid droplets or frozen crystals. These particles are suspended in the atmosphere. Now, it seems like most all Data is stored or backed up in the “Cloud.” These variations are difficult for Hank to understand.
Hank and I were dropping large shovel loads of sand into the lake in McCall. I explained to him that the sand diffuses in the water. I have now done my research and I think diffusion is actually the net movement of molecules or atoms to be distributed randomly and uniformly. The sand just sinks to the bottom which is not diffusion. Hank understands gravity which may be the cause. I am not sure it matters because Hank will tell you this phenomenon is confusion. We further now believe that the sand sinks because it is heavier than the water. I suggest you find a two year old to hang out with and discuss nature and other important stuff.
I did have the opportunity to spend a morning at the Idaho Not for Profit Conference. I heard a very interesting speaker challenge us to rethink how we can help. Her contention is that often well meaning investments in time or money make us feel good but do not solve the problem. It takes a new approach and focus to adapt to rapid change. I liked her idea that the best way is to isolate the core issue and spend your energy there, it will do the most good in the long term and alleviate the more obvious symptoms. It made me think of an old saying, “it is hard to remember your objective is to drain the swamp when you are up to your rear end in alligators.” There are no simple solutions to human dilemmas faced each day by our not for profit community.
I guess not everyone agrees with the speaker I mentioned. A few thoughts on solutions. “Identify your problems but give your power and energy to solutions”-Tony Robbins. Anthony D’Angelo recommends “focus 90% of your time on solutions and only 10% of your time on problems.” Most of the quotes do give the hopeful spin that every puzzle has a solution. Support your favorite not for profit to assure they have the resources to meet their missions.
Enjoy the week end. Mike