27 October 2022 - "Shaping Air"

Those are the words that Dr Eddie Chang used.

"Shaping Air" is how he described the process of articulating sound. The process of bringing words to life. The magic of speech.

Breathtaking!  That was my instant reaction.

Yes, the irony isn't lost on me.

I found utter beauty in the expression used.

Words are like keys. 

They are keys to unlock learning 

They are keys that give access to understanding.

They are keys that open up worlds of possibilities; personally and professionally.

I recall when I first visited Belarus briefly in November 2008. I didn't have a single word of Russian upon arrival. 

I didn't have keys.

I had to rely on others completely for any learning, or understanding, or exploration of possibilities.

My lack of words delimited my life. It left open the doors of ignorance, misunderstanding, and lost opportunities.

Broaden your vocabulary early, and daily, sweetheart.

Words will serve you well.

Your life will be enhanced in ways that are unimaginable (& frankly unpredictable) at the outset.

As to predictions, remind me to tell your about the brain as a 'predictive machine' and to talk to you about pattern recognition.

Back to words for a moment, public speaking is one of the ways in which words are used. News came through from Australia today that your cousin Maysoun won a public speaking competition that included a local network of schools. Bravo!

Taking pride in one another's achievements is a beautiful thing.

(celebrating at a distance 😊 )

Using each others successful outcomes as a source of inspiration is also a beautiful thing.

Even not achieving desired results and outcomes can be transformed into something beautiful; if lessons are drawn, and improvements are made. 

The idea that "failures are portals of discovery" ought to be borne in mind. So too the qualifier "fail fast". In other words, learn from your mistakes quickly, and change direction based on the new information (or data points) gathered.

As to things being gathered, it was a gathering of your grandmother, her sister, and us this evening. 

There was a tapas style table laid out, with cuisine from all corners of the globe represented.

(FUNNY that a globe doesn't have corners, and yet the expression 'makes sense'. There is a paradox for you sweetheart).

A last thought for today springs from a sight enjoyed whilst I was walking along earlier on.

The autumn is stunning.

The colors are of hope, notwithstanding that the leaves are falling and trees are being left naked.

There will be a return.

The colors embody a golden promise; of that return.

When things fall off, or apart, always thing of the return.

Focus on the growth to come.

The future is bright!

You can do it!

Both of you!