Category: Life Story

A brief observation on tree climbing and Isaac Newton

Ron Delaney JrLeave a comment

Well lookie here, a post not-about writing. Weird, I know, but I’m feeling a little philosophical today, and don’t want to wait until the next Friday Morning FYI. Warning: this may be a little unorganized. Stream of consciousness, and all that. Indulge me 🙂

During a recent conversation, a friend mentioned tree climbing, and it’s been stuck in the back of my mind ever since – leaning back with it’s arm folded and feet on the coffee table, grinning mockingly, waiting for me to figure out why it struck a cord.

It’s not because an adult talking about climbing trees is odd to me (just the opposite – I was glad to hear it). It’s not because it was a strange thing for that friend to say. It fit her perfectly. So why?

And then, on the train this morning, with innumerable trees swinging and dancing past my window, it hit me: Newton’s Third Law: For every action there’s an equal and opposite reaction.

At this point, the tree climbing idea nodded and winked at me. Enigmatic little devil.

See, I’ve recently been doing a lot of research on different physics topics for my WIP, so Newton’s Third Law (which tells us that when you push against something, it pushes back) was itching at the edge of my memory, too. Apparently it and the tree climbing idea wanted to hang out and play Trivia Crack, or something.

So what’s the connection? Think about this: if something pushes back when you push it, that means when you climb into a tree, the tree responds by lifting you. Like it wants you to go higher. Like it enjoys you being with it, in it.

I. Love. That. So. Much. (and kind of hate myself for not seeing it before)

Oh, look. Now I’m feeling a bit poetic. Hmm.

Oh, blessed inspiration – from words to heart to words. Now I just need to find a strong tree to climb and sit in and write.

 

Thanks for reading,

{RDj}

 

Friday Morning FYI – 4/24/2015

Ron Delaney JrLeave a comment

Welcome to your Friday Morning FYI, my chance to share observations/wisdom/rants in short, easily consumed form.

This week’s FYI is about being open instead of sheltered:

There are amazing, kind, funny, brilliant people all around you-but along with your eyes, your mind must be open to see them. Get out of your head and into the world.

 

Thanks for reading,

{RDj}

Friday Morning FYI – 4/17/2015

Ron Delaney JrLeave a comment

Welcome to your Friday Morning FYI, my chance to share observations/wisdom/rants in short, easily consumed form.

This week’s FYI is all about the unimpedible march of time:

Time is objective. It doesn’t care about you, doesn’t know you exist, and moves regardless of what you have done, are doing, or will do. Time is also subjective in that how you spend the precious little time you’re given impacts you, the people you spend it with, and those influenced by what you do. My point? Spend your time on things people will remember, because time doesn’t give a f*ck how much of it you waste, but at some point you, and others, will.

 

Thanks for reading,

{RDj}

Friday Morning FYI – 4/7/2013

Ron Delaney JrLeave a comment

Welcome to your Friday Morning FYI, my chance to share observations/wisdom/rants in short, easily consumed form.

This week’s FYI is all about listening:

There’s a difference between making a mistake and stubbornly ignoring facts. Mistakes happen naturally, as in you’re on the short end of something as the natural order plays out. When you willfully cover your ears and pretend something isn’t what it is or won’t end the way it will, that’s not nature screwing you, that’s you screwing you. Don’t screw you.

 

Thanks for reading,

{RDj}

Friday Morning FYI – 4/3/2015

Ron Delaney JrLeave a comment

Welcome to your Friday Morning FYI, my chance to share observations/wisdom/rants in short, easily consumed form.

This week’s FYI is all about not-wasting potential:

What are you going to do today? While the past has some impact on that decision, you’re by no means slaved to it. In fact, it probably only deserves minimal consideration. Never use “I’ve always…” or “I’ve never…” as excuses. Life is full of potential. Go realize some.

 

Thanks for reading,

{RDj}