some optimism

i love the world. i really do. i mean, i know there are some majorly terrible things in the world, but it has some redeeming qualities.

i heard this quote once from a guy that did a lot of traveling. he was often asked how he made conversation with people in other countries, as they led such different lifestyles than he did. this is what he said: "He may not have a 50 inch plasma screen tv, but we both have a mother." everyone has a mom. brilliant, i know. but seriously, isn't that amazing? you and any one of the other six billion people in the world could talk about your mothers together (assuming you know the same language, but whatever). this guy also said he carried pictures around of his family while he traveled just in case. so the next time you're in another country trying to make small talk, just take out a picture of your mother.

there are a bunch of cheesy quotes about how "laughter is the language everyone knows" or something. i actually hate those kinds of quotes, but this one is true. i've taken care of kids that have only spoken one language, not always english, and i've found this quote to be true. all it takes is a funny face and they laugh. i think it's kind of funny that funny faces are universal, too. everyone thinks it's funny when you cross your eyes.

the moon. everyone in the world looks up to the same moon at night. we may see different stars, but we all see the moon. when i look out my window at night and see the moon, there's something comforting about knowing that at that exact moment there are millions of people (in time zones close to mine) looking up at the same thing.

i think pretty much everyone loves music. i mean, it may not sound the music we're used to, but there's music everywhere. something about it runs through our veins and we can't get enough of it.

i suppose i tend to be more realistic about things, but sometimes i just think about things like that and it makes me happy to be alive.