Stretching Branches

Today's thought of the day comes from one of my favorite singers, Adele. In an interview, she said:

"I'm ballsy. I have guts. I'm not afraid of anyone. I think that makes me feel powerful. The only person I'm afraid of is myself."

After a long day, this is a good mantra to repeat to oneself. Be more ballsy tomorrow. Fear no one. Feel powerful. Ignore the cowardly lion of self-doubt in us all.

Tomorrow, we should stretch ourselves beyond our "boundaries" and comfort zones into the limitless sky like these leafless tree branches in winter.

As we stretch, we may connect with others moving in complementary -- and at times, contrary -- directions. Perhaps this intersection will result in collaboration or conflict. Either way, growth can always be by-product if we allow it.

Whatever the outcome, we must still be fearless, bold, and ballsy. And always reach, reach, reach.

Wondering What's Going to Happen

Today's thought is courtesy of one of my favorite childhood authors and the creator of Winnie the Pooh, A.A. Milne:

“"When you wake up in the morning, Pooh," said Piglet at last, "what's the first thing you say to yourself?"
"What's for breakfast?" said Pooh. "What do you say, Piglet?"
"I say, I wonder what's going to happen exciting today?" said Piglet.
Pooh nodded thoughtfully. "It's the same thing," he said.”

Springtime Look at the National Mall

Did you know that the National Mall is arranged in the shape of a cross? From this view of DC from the Netherlands Carillon on the other side of the Potomac River, you can see the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument and the U.S. Capitol Building appearing in a row. It's actually an illusion, since those three landmarks form the vertical bar of the National Mall "cross" -- Lincoln Memorial is the base, the Washington Monument is the middle, and U.S. Capitol Building is the top. The White House and Jefferson Memorial make up the far points of the horizontal bar.

A city designed and led by Free Masons, their symbols and icons appear throughout Washington, DC. If author Dan Brown is to be believed, Masonic iconography is the key to understanding the design of the National Mall. I'm no expect on the topic, but I do find the repetition of shapes and symbols in the city's architecture, monuments and layout fascinating and worth studying further.

Oh Canada!

No, this photograph was not taken in Canada. Hopefully, visits to America's northern neighbor will be in my future, but this photograph was actually taken of the Canadian Embassy and the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, DC. The Newseum is right next door to the Canadian Embassy, so from its observation deck, you can see both the embassy and the Capitol. Without the proper context and only seeing Canadian flags in this vista, viewers might assume that this image was taken in Ottawa instead of the District of Columbia. I love that we keep our Canadian friends so close to our government and definitely makes for a memorable photograph.

At the End of Pennsylvania Avenue NW

We are so focused on the famous residence located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW that we forget there is another important building at the end of this street, the United States Capitol building. Yesterday, I visited another Pennsylvania Avenue NW address, the Newseum -- a fantastic interactive museum of news with behind-the-scenes views of how and why news is made. I took this photo of the U.S. Capitol at the end of the street from their amazing observation deck. It is such a majestic, iconic structure and it actually does sit on a hill overlooking Pennsylvania Avenue NW and the National Mall. One of these days, I'm going to need to arrange a tour of the building. I would love to see and photograph its famous rotunda.

Remembering What's Beyond the Gate

It's been a challenging year so far. Changes, adjustments and crises are appearing at every turn. I'm getting better at applying my 2011 life principles, but it's been a tough start. Today, Billy Joel's song, "Vienna," came on my iPod mix and it was exactly what I needed to hear. Don't you love when that happens?

So instead of me "waxing lyrical" on today's post, I thought I would let his song lyrics do the talking. While Billy Joel has his own back story for the song, "Vienna" reminds me to slow down and not take the hustle and bustle of life so seriously. Because in the end, things that really matter -- family, friends, life, "Vienna" -- await.

By the way, when Billy Joel was asked in 2008 by the New York Times to identify his favorite song from his career, "Vienna" was one of the two he mentioned.

"Vienna" by Billy Joel
From the album, The Stranger (1977)

Slow down you crazy child
You're so ambitious for a juvenile
But then if you're so smart tell me why
You are still so afraid?

Where's the fire, what's the hurry about?
You better cool it off before you burn it out
You got so much to do and only
So many hours in a day

But you know that when the truth is told
That you can get what you want
Or you an just get old
You're gonna kick off before you even get halfway through
When will you realize
Vienna waits for you

Slow down you're doing fine
You can't be everything you want to be
Before your time
Although it's so romantic on the borderline tonight
Too bad but it's the life you lead
You're so ahead of yourself
That you forgot what you need
Though you can see when you're wrong

But you know you can't always see when you're right
You got your passion you got your pride
But don't you know only fools are satisfied?
Dream on, but don't imagine they'll all come true
When will you realize
Vienna waits for you

Slow down you crazy child
Take the phone off the hook
And disappeaar for a while
It's alright you can afford to lose a day or two
When will you realize
Vienna waits for you.

The Peace Monument

 

When I visited the United States Capitol for the first time, I was surprised to find so many monuments on the grounds. The Peace Monument in honor of the naval deaths suffered during the Civil War is the most striking of the collection. The two robed women at the top of the monument represent Grief who is weeping on the shoulder of History. Below them is a statue representing Peace holding a symbolic olive branch. Symbolism in sculpture can effectively express to the public the sculptor's intent and/or message. This monument is a great example of how symbolism can be so moving and memorable.