Connected

Soaking up the stillness of peaceful Alaska at Columbia Glacier on the Lulu Belle

How do you describe a place that makes you feel so connected to yourself and the world surrounding you?  Paradise!   Even in this world full of distractions, our minds can connect to raw nature in Alaska.  Under such peace and freedom from the negative hum of media, we can actually connect at a time when everyone is yearning to disconnect from their devices.  I love technology, as it makes it possible for me to type this blog.  We live at a time and in an environment dictated by social media. I have been spending years to improve my social skills and yet society is moving in the opposite direction.   Social media trains people to rely on typed words to communicate without actual personal interaction.  I can speak from experience that an emptiness is left in or souls when this is left to stand alone in our relationships.  In some ways you would think this would make it easier for me, yet I wonder is this the direction of elevated humanity?

I am almost sure we are stifling the natural bond the world has known until now. How do we embrace this change in technology and still stay connected as humans?  We must think of solutions before it is a lost art of  personal emotional interaction.  Ways to stay connected are families who play, eat, and pray together.  I love cards, games, and love to eat.  All is well when everyone feels loved and accepted and this is not always conveyed thru typed words. So let’s take some time everyday and talk personally to the ones we love.  We can still stay connected. I am not sure we can continue to stay connected as we were created to be if we don’t.

 

Sincerely,

Isaac

She keeps me connected!

Hiking the Exit Glacier in Alaska

The Crew on our trip of a lifetime!

ALASKA

Humpback Whale Prince William Sound

I am back!  I am excited to share the most amazing vacation I have ever experienced,  Alaska, the last frontier.  It is true beauty preserved and intrepid.  Even the air seems so dear you think it would cost you to breathe it.  Predators are given freedom and the eco- system takes care of itself with its unique balance that humbles even the jealous souls to think nature is better when left alone.  My favorite part of the trip was the wild life cruise we took out of the small fishing port in Valdez.  Our boat was tagged as the “Lulu Belle”.

Captain Fred was as entertaining as informative and in my opinion a master at what he does.

Captain Fred

Yes he let me drive!!!

I am in awe of such amazing beauty that it is hard for me to choose my favorite experiences but this was definitely the best day of the vacation.  We saw humpback whale, dall porpoise, otter, sea lions, moving icebergs, Columbia Glacier, and the most inspiring mountainous backdrop to observe it all.

Happy 50th Anniversary!

What a great day!!!

Now I know the color ice blue.

Marked sea lions.

We loved the observation deck!

 

Stay tuned for more from Alaska…….

Extremely grateful,

Isaac

 

 

 

 

A BRIGHT LIGHT

This is my sister,  Sophia.  She is such an artist, with paint and with personality.  She helps me so much in areas that I am weak.  Almost everyday she finds joy and happiness in the smallest things.  Things like catching a beautiful butterfly and then letting it go, or picking a flower and giving it to someone to make them feel special.  She brings light to so many people.  I enjoyed going to this lake with her as we chased ducks and watched them play and swim.  She is never shy or afraid of an adventure.  I love her enthusiasm for life.  She also is so interested in helping me with my weaknesses.  She even helps me with therapies and sees my life as one of purpose.

Everyone is unique in strengths and weaknesses.  It’s the combination and blending of these in friendships that make life so fascinating and enjoyable.  I enjoy people who are unique or even odd to some,  because they are not predictable and less boring.  Sophia is certainly not boring.  Those who are unique yet are integrated into society, in my opinion, we must treat them as gems, for that is what they are.  Everyone can take a little strength from their friends who are different, but not if your friends are all the same as you.  Under pressure to be accepted we sometimes pretend to be strong when in reality we are weak.  This robs us from the opportunity to rub shoulders with somone who could help us grow out of our weaknesses, to be stronger.  I cannot afford to pretend to be someone  I am not.  I need help with my weaknesses so I wouldn’t jeapardize that opportunity  for growth for a false sense of approval.

   My sister, Sophia, has certainly helped me see life as an exciting journey, revealing the beauty of friendship and acceptance of everyone.  She has taken an odd shaped “cake” like me, and artfully decorated me to be more appealing.  A true artist she is.  We may be just the ingredient someone around us needs to be more beautiful on the inside or out by just being who we are.   Sophia intelligently recognizes me as different, yet she loves me regardless of my limitations.  Not your average 7 year old sister.  To me,  she is priceless.  Just follow her example of meeting  the needs of others while being beautiful, genuine, and young, with only joy and happiness in view everyday.  We  just might open our lives to a little more light, like Sophia.

Your friend,

Isaac