Charleston Daily - Seeking all the beauty that is Charleston, South Carolina

Saying Goodbye: 20 of the Greatest Television Show Finales of All-Time (You will need tissues)

June 22, 2018

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

Television has become such a pivotal part of our lives that we often take it for granted instead of acknowledging its parental power as it shapes our perceptions and decisions. Many shows and characters are a mirror image of ourselves and in these characters we see who we are and who we want to be. We develop relationships and emotional ties to these men and women that come to us each week with a story.

When that moment comes to say goodbye, millions of us come together to not only say farewell to those that have become a part of us, but look back and reflect on how important they have become.

I thought I would take a moment and glimpse into the past and focus on some of the greatest series farewells. It is not hard to remember where you were when you said goodbye to Sam, Hawkeye, Jack, Bob, Kevin Arnold, Mr. Feeny, Felicity, Ross and Rachel, Mary and Frasier.

They are a part of us and though not invited into our homes each week any longer, they remain in our memories as we look back on our own lives.

Enjoy this journey on the boat of television memories.

Boy Meets World (1993-2000)

Newhart (1982-1990)

ER (1994-2009)

The Wonder Years (1988-1993)

Scrubs (2001-2010)

The Middle (2009 – 2018)

West Wing (1999-2006)

Mary Tyler Moore (1970-1977)

Six Feet Under (2001-2005)

Frasier (1993-2004)

Lost (2004-2010)

Felicity (1998-2002)

Golden Girls (1985-1992)

Entourage (2004-2011)

The Fugitive (1963-1967)

Cheers (1982-1993)

M.A.S.H. (1972-1983)

24 (2001-2010)

Friends (1994 – 2004)

Breaking Bad (2008-2013)

South Carolina Ranked 3rd Worst State for Dangerous Roads in Latest Study

June 21, 2018

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

Wall Street 24/7 has released its latest study of United States Roadways, ranking the safest and most unsafe by state. Coming in as the safest state is Rhode Island with Mississippi coming in as the worst. Six of the top ten worst regionally fall in the Southeast with South Carolina coming in this year’s survey as the 3rd worst state for roadway safety.

Here is how the Top 10 in both categories ranked.

Top 10 Most Dangerous Roads

10. Louisiana
> Road deaths per 100,000: 16.2
> 2016 roadway fatalities: 757 (19th most)
> Seat belt use: 88%
> Deadliest holiday in 2016: Martin Luther King’s Birthday (14 fatal crashes)
> Fatal crashes on rural roads: 49%

9. Oklahoma
> Road deaths per 100,000: 17.4
> 2016 roadway fatalities: 683 (21st most)
> Seat belt use: 87%
> Deadliest holiday in 2016: Labor Day (8 fatal crashes)
> Fatal crashes on rural roads: 62%

8. Montana
> Road deaths per 100,000: 18.2
> 2016 roadway fatalities: 190 (11th least)
> Seat belt use: 76%
> Deadliest holiday in 2016: Labor Day (4 fatal crashes)
> Fatal crashes on rural roads: 89%

7. Arkansas
> Road deaths per 100,000: 18.2
> 2016 roadway fatalities: 545 (25th most)
> Seat belt use: 75%
> Deadliest holiday in 2016: Memorial Day (9 fatal crashes)
> Fatal crashes on rural roads: 66%

6. Kentucky
> Road deaths per 100,000: 18.8
> 2016 roadway fatalities: 834 (16th most)
> Seat belt use: 87%
> Deadliest holiday in 2016: Columbus Day (11 fatal crashes)
> Fatal crashes on rural roads: 73%

5. Wyoming
> Road deaths per 100,000: 19.1
> 2016 roadway fatalities: 112 (4th least)
> Seat belt use: 81%
> Deadliest holiday in 2016: Columbus Day (2 fatal crashes)
> Fatal crashes on rural roads: 81%

4. New Mexico
> Road deaths per 100,000: 19.3
> 2016 roadway fatalities: 402 (20th least)
> Seat belt use: 92%
> Deadliest holiday in 2016: Columbus Day (10 fatal crashes)
> Fatal crashes on rural roads: 56%

3. South Carolina
> Road deaths per 100,000: 20.5
> 2016 roadway fatalities: 1,015 (13th most)
> Seat belt use: 94%
> Deadliest holiday in 2016: Martin Luther King’s Birthday (16 fatal crashes)
> Fatal crashes on rural roads: 60%

2. Alabama
> Road deaths per 100,000: 21.3
> 2016 roadway fatalities: 1,038 (11th most)
> Seat belt use: 92%
> Deadliest holiday in 2016: Columbus Day (18 fatal crashes)
> Fatal crashes on rural roads: 62%

1. Mississippi
> Road deaths per 100,000: 23.1
> 2016 roadway fatalities: 690 (20th most)
> Seat belt use: 78%
> Deadliest holiday in 2016: Independence Day (11 fatal crashes)
> Fatal crashes on rural roads: 98%

Top 10 Safest

Rhode Island
New York
Massachusetts
New Jersey
Minnesota
Washington
Connecticut
Maryland
Hawaii
Illinois

Note: 9 of the top 10 Safest are Northern States

Methodology

To rank the safest and most dangerous states to drive in the United States, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed roadway fatality data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety along with urban and rural travel data from the Federal Highway Administration, each for 2016. The number of fatal roadway deaths was then adjusted for the population, noted as fatalities per 100,000 residents. Seat belt use rates and the share of fatal accidents on rural roads are also from IIHS and are all for 2016. Fatal injuries due to vehicle accidents include pedestrian and cyclist fatalities. Data on holiday deaths are for 2016 and came from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System.

Charleston Based, Women and Veteran Owned Dynepic Completes Techstars Program with Funding to Bring Safe, Secure Connected Play to the Masses

June 19, 2018

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

CHARLESTON, S.C., June 19, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Dynepic, creator of playPORTAL, a groundbreaking platform that makes developing child privacy-certified and secure apps fast and easy, announced it has received $675,000 in a recent funding. The financing occurred with its completion of the Techstars Boulder program, a seed accelerator, designed to provide entrepreneurs with market exposure and access to financial resources. Participating in the oversubscribed round are Good Growth Capital, Black Lab Sports, Charleston Angel Partners, and Techstars. To date, Dynepic has raised $1.5M.

“Dynepic participated in the 2018 Techstars Boulder program and we were impressed with their team and the importance of their technology,” said Natty Zola, managing director of Techstars Boulder. “We believe that children should have safe access to the online world and have seen firsthand the ways in which playPORTAL is revolutionizing connected play. We couldn’t be more excited about Dynepic’s mission and the impact playPortal will have on millions of families.”

“We are honored to bring these well-respected investor groups into the Dynepic family to help us grow and influence the way families play and connect through technology,” said Krissa Watry, CEO and co-founder of Dynepic.

Dynepic will use the capital for marketing and engineering to expand its playPORTAL platform, and grow its developer community of innovators, toy makers, and brands that look to extend their connected products to Gen Z with personalized cutting-edge technology and play patterns.

Dynepic now offers playPORTAL platform software development kits (SDKs) backed by a kid-safe and secure family network. The solution allows developers to achieve instant COPPA- (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act) compliance with the highest level of verifiable parental consent for their apps, games, and connected devices.

The platform addresses the complex issues surrounding COPPA compliance, which forbids most developer SDKs and APIs from use in child-specific apps without in-depth knowledge of privacy laws or parental consent. Failure to comply with COPPA guidelines can result in considerable fines and legal consequences. SDKs for iOS, Android, Unity, and Java Script are in closed beta and will be available later this Summer for public access.

“As a smart toy inventor, myself, I know all too well the challenges of trying to understand and meet the child privacy laws,” Watry explains. “There was no easy solution, so we decided to build one. Today, playPORTAL is the only child privacy-certified platform with the tools that help protect developers creating apps for kids under the age of 13.”

About Dynepic
Launched in 2014, Dynepic, Inc. is the creator of playPORTAL, a secure platform that makes developing child privacy-certified apps fast and easy. With cross-platform Software Development Kits (SDKs) backed by a first-ever kid-safe family network, developers can now create apps with instant Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) compliance allowing game-developers, app-developers and toy-makers to focus on making amazing personalized and social connected products that include kids, while playPORTAL handles the data security and privacy compliance. playPORTAL is architected with Dynepic’s portable profile cloud data vault technology, ensuring users are in complete control of their and their kid’s personal information on the platform.

Media Contact:
Traci Massaro
Winkowski Public Relations, LLC., for Dynepic
tampublicrelations@gmail.com
617-877-1293

City where many slaves entered US to apologize for slavery – Charleston, S.C.

June 19, 2018

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — The South Carolina city where almost half of all the slaves brought to the United States first set foot on American soil is ready to apologize for its role in the slave trade.

The resolution expected to be passed by the Charleston City Council on Tuesday offers a denouncement of slavery, a promise of tolerance in the future and a proposal for an office of racial reconciliation. The vote will be full of symbolism when it is taken by a majority-white council that meets in a City Hall built by slaves. It will happen less than a mile (1.5 kilometers) from the old wharf where slave ships unloaded — soon to be the site of a $75 million African-American history museum.

Tuesday is also “Juneteenth,” a celebration of the end of slavery and just two days after the third anniversary of the racist attack by a white man that killed nine black church members at Emanuel AME church — a target picked in part by Dylann Roof because of its long history. In the 1800s, the church was closed after Charleston’s white leaders thought church leaders had fostered a slave revolt. Church members were forced to worship in secret as a result.

“We hereby denounce and apologize for the wrongs committed against African Americans by the institution of slavery and Jim Crow, with sincerest sympathies and regrets for the deprivation of life, human dignity and constitutional protections occasioned as a result thereof,” the resolution reads.

Charleston Council member William Dudley Gregorie insists the resolution will be more than just a soon-forgotten vote. He promises the city will support ongoing education about how slaves contributed to all parts of Charleston.

A centerpiece of that effort is the International African American Museum . Organizers, including former Charleston Mayor Joe Riley, are trying to raise the millions of additional dollars they will need to break ground this summer and open the museum in 2020. It will be located on the site of the old wharf where slave ships unloaded.

The museum will tell the story of African-Americans in the U.S. from slavery to today. It also will include genealogy resources to help families trace their roots.

To All the Fathers: You are our rock – Thank you Daddy

June 16, 2018

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

“I am not ashamed to say that no man I ever met was my father’s equal, and I never loved any other man as much.” – Hedy Lamarr

“I know that I will never find my father in any other man who comes into my life, because it is a void in my life that can only be filled by him.” – Halle Berry

“My father was my teacher. But most importantly he was a great dad.” – Beau Bridges

“I pressed my father’s hand and told him I would protect his grave with my life. My father smiled and passed away to the spirit land.” – Chief Joseph

“My father was not a failure. After all, he was the father of a president of the United States.” – Harry S. Truman

“Fathers, be good to your daughters. You are the god and the weight of her world.” – John Mayer

“Father I will always be
that same boy who stood by the sea
and watched you tower over me
now I’m older I wanna be the same as you” – Yellowcard

“He didn’t tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it.” – Clarence Budington Kelland

“A man’s desire for a son is usually nothing but the wish to duplicate himself in order that such a remarkable pattern may not be lost to the world.” – Helen Rowland

“My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me.” – Jim Valvano

“I decided in my life that I would do nothing that did not reflect positively on my father’s life.” – Sidney Poitier

“When Charles first saw our child Mary, he said all the proper things for a new father. He looked upon the poor little red thing and blurted, “She’s more beautiful than the Brooklyn Bridge.” – Helen Hayes

“I talk and talk and talk, and I haven’t taught people in 50 years what my father taught by example in one week.” – Mario Cuomo

“I’m a father; that’s what matters most. Nothing matters more.” – Gordon Brown

“I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father’s protection.” – Sigmund Freud

“My father used to play with my brother and me in the yard. Mother would come out and say, “You’re tearing up the grass.” “We’re not raising grass,” Dad would reply. “We’re raising boys.”” – Harmon Killebrew

“A truly rich man is one whose children run into his arms when his hands are empty.” – Author Unknown

“Any man can be a father. It takes someone special to be a dad.” – Author Unknown

“I love my father as the stars — he’s a bright shining example and a happy twinkling in my heart.” – Terri Guillemets

“My daddy, he was somewhere between God and John Wayne.” – Hank Williams, Jr.

“It’s only when you grow up and step back from him–or leave him for your own home–it’s only then that you can measure his greatness and fully appreciate it.” – Margaret Truman

“To her, the name of father was another name for love.” – Fanny Fern

“No music is so pleasant to my ears as that word―father.” – Lydia Maria Child

“[He] adopted a role called Being a Father so that his child would have something mythical and infinitely important: a Protector.” – Tom Wolfe

“The quality of a father can be seen in the goals, dreams and aspirations he sets not only for himself, but for his family.” – Reed Markham

“When my father didn’t have my hand . . . he had my back.” – Linda Poindexter

In Darkness – Tribute to the Shooting Victims of Mother Emanuel (Charleston, SC) – (Original Poem)

June 16, 2018

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

There is a darkness where there was once light
A church steeple now silenced of its familiar chimes

A congregation mourning; a city in tears

Grey clouds fill the sky torturing the sun and prohibiting its spotlight over the Holy City

Gathered in prayer; stricken of faith
In a moment, a celebration of life became a resting place tainted in the blood of hatred

Begging in weakness for answers

A higher power watching as his children sing
Echos of hymns muted; screams then deafness

Wandering the streets, citizens cry and wonder
Questions running aimlessly through our empty hearts

A day has past
Once again, the glistening sun rose over the harbor in a morning calm
Floral fragrance ordains

Crowds gather in solidarity
Reminded of the power of community; the foundation of love
A family, not defined by color, hand in hand solidifies a bond from every church and temple to the edge of the ocean

A sanctuary of hope built on the resistance of fear

From the tip of that majestic Cooper River Bridge to the footsteps of children running on the beaches of Folly, there is a strength greater than bullets within the arms of acceptance

Charleston will once again rejoice and sing

For peace; for hope; for family

Darkness reigns now

Soon a thousand candles will light this city

Once again we will rise above the cloud of darkness and shine

Most Challenged Books of 2017

June 15, 2018

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

It is amazing that we still live in a society that challenges and bans books, but thus it is true.

Every September (September 23-29, 2018) Ban Book Week puts a spotlight on the literary struggle we face every year in this country. Based on content and socio-economic conditions, here is the list of the Top 10 most challenged books in 2017. We hope this promotes dialogue and/or curiosity to sit down and read one of these critically-acclaimed books.

Top 10 Challenged Books of 2017

The ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 354 challenges to library, school and university materials in 2017. Of the 416 books challenged or banned in 2017, the Top 10 Most Challenged Books are

Thirteen Reasons Why written by Jay Asher

Originally published in 2007, this New York Times bestseller has resurfaced as a controversial book after Netflix aired a TV series by the same name. This YA novel was challenged and banned in multiple school districts because it discusses suicide.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian written by Sherman Alexie

Consistently challenged since its publication in 2007 for acknowledging issues such as poverty, alcoholism, and sexuality, this National Book Award winner was challenged in school curriculums because of profanity and situations that were deemed sexually explicit.

Drama written and illustrated by Raina Telgemeier

This Stonewall Honor Award-winning, 2012 graphic novel from an acclaimed cartoonist was challenged and banned in school libraries because it includes LGBT characters and was considered “confusing.”

The Kite Runner written by Khaled Hosseini

This critically acclaimed, multigenerational novel was challenged and banned because it includes sexual violence and was thought to “lead to terrorism” and “promote Islam.”

George written by Alex Gino

Written for elementary-age children, this Lambda Literary Award winner was challenged and banned because it includes a transgender child.

Sex is a Funny Word written by Cory Silverberg and illustrated by Fiona Smyth

This 2015 informational children’s book written by a certified sex educator was challenged because it addresses sex education and is believed to lead children to “want to have sex or ask questions about sex.”

To Kill a Mockingbird written by Harper Lee

This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, considered an American classic, was challenged and banned because of violence and its use of the N-word.

The Hate U Give written by Angie Thomas

Despite winning multiple awards and being the most searched-for book on Goodreads during its debut year, this YA novel was challenged and banned in school libraries and curriculums because it was considered “pervasively vulgar” and because of drug use, profanity, and offensive language.

And Tango Makes Three written by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson and illustrated by Henry Cole

Returning after a brief hiatus from the Top Ten Most Challenged list, this ALA Notable Children’s Book, published in 2005, was challenged and labeled because it features a same-sex relationship.

I Am Jazz written by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings and illustrated by Shelagh McNicholas

This autobiographical picture book co-written by the 13-year-old protagonist was challenged because it addresses gender identity.

Funny Charleston Headlines (Though Not True, Certainly Could Be)

June 15, 2018

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

One of the joys of the Lowcountry is our light-hearted sense of humor as we deal with some of the annoying nuances of life down here.

Based on just everyday observations, we compiled some silly headlines, that in an alternative universe could very well be true.

Funny Charleston Headlines:

George Sink Sued for Advertising Pollution
National Diabetes Outbreak Linked to Charleston Tourism
Charleston Mayor Challenges New York City Mayor to Instagram Competition
Shortage of Line Cooks Due to Restaurant Explosion in the Lowcountry Forces Local Government to Offer Free Culinary Training to the Homeless
Guinness World Records Recognizes Charleston for Having the Most Cranes in a City Metro for the Longest Amount of Time
Lowcountry Breweries Band Together to Influence Legislation Banning PBR, Coors and Budweiser from the Area
Civil War Re-enactments Postponed Until All Actors Go Through Sensitivity Training
Darius Rucker and Blowfish Producing Broadway Show in the Lowcountry – Remembering 1999: 90’s Mellow Rock Revival
Charleston County Introduces New Shuttle Plane Service to Alleviate Traffic Pressures by Flying Commuters to Work
Seasonal Retractable Bubble Across the Peninsula to Be Built and Used During Hot Humid Days and Hurricane Season
Mosquito named official bird of the Lowcountry
Charleston County Governments Halts all Tax and Rent Increases for Two Years Citing that Area has Exceeded National Inflationary Growth
Toll Booths to Be Installed on 526 and Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge to Fund Road Construction Projects
Drones Funded to Evaluate Traffic Issues and Deliver Drinks/Food to Drivers Stuck in Rush Hour
Charleston Named #1 Location in the United States for Festivals Per Capita
Population of Dogs exceeds Humans for the First Time in the Lowcountry

Have a great Friday and Weekend

Blackbaud Inaugurates New World Headquarters in South Carolina

June 14, 2018

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

Software leader’s state-of-the-art, eco-friendly hub to drive disruptive innovation and impact for global good at increased scale

CHARLESTON, S.C. June 13, 2018/PRNewswire/ — Blackbaud (NASDAQ: BLKB), the world’s leading cloud software company powering social good, is pleased to announce that its new world headquarters on Daniel Island in South Carolina is officially open for business. Blackbaud unveiled the 172,000 square-foot state-of-the-art workplace and innovation center during a ribbon-cutting ceremony today – just over two years since the company announced plans for its construction in 2016.

Blackbaud, the world’s 24^th largest software company, has operated in Berkeley County, South Carolina since 2000, and is the largest publicly traded software company headquartered in the state. The company was also recently named to the Fortune 56 Companies Changing the World list. The company’s eco-friendly world headquarters provides a dynamic and collaborative workplace for nearly half of its rapidly growing workforce, which operates in Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America, and North America.

“With our new headquarters, we’re making a generational investment in the very community that supported us since well before we went public 14 years ago, while also launching the world’s most creative workspace to cultivate innovation at the intersection of technology and social good,” said Mike Gianoni, Blackbaud President and CEO. “From dedicated labs for disruptive innovation, to modern engineering spaces, to leading-edge technology that connects our global workforce like never before, we’re positioned to do what we do—bigger, better and faster. And that’s good news for all of our customers and the millions of people who use our software around the world.”

The new world headquarters is also home to the new Blackbaud Innovation Center, a high-tech meeting space where customers, partners, community leaders and influencers across the social economy can convene to turn action into impact. The site will support the company’s ongoing community development and corporate citizenship activities, such as Camp Blackbaud, an employee-led STEM program that teaches elementary school children how to design and code. It also ultimately will be accessible to nonprofits in need of special meeting and event space.

Blackbaud, which was recently recognized on Forbes’ America’s Best Midsize Employers list for the third consecutive year, announced plans in 2016 to create 300 additional high-tech jobs over five years. The company is actively recruiting new staff and expects new positions to be added as the project continues to progress. “Behind all great companies are great people, so it’s our top priority to make Blackbaud a place that attracts and retains top talent in the industry,” said John Mistretta, executive vice president of Human Resources. “We designed this space based on what matters most to our people, which resulted in a sustainable, LEED-certified building that promotes employee wellness and collaboration; offering perks like a healthy dining café featuring local vendors, ergonomic furniture, a game room, an outdoor activities center, and more.”

To mark the celebration of its grand opening, Blackbaud made a $25,000 donation to Dee Norton Child Advocacy Center to support the new facility Dee Norton opened on the Cainhoy peninsula, a space designed to help prevent abuse, protect children and heal families. Blackbaud has a long-standing commitment to supporting organizations that work with disadvantaged youth and this partnership with Dee Norton allows the company to make a meaningful investment in its own backyard.

Blackbaud was joined by both state and Charleston-area leaders to celebrate the new building, including Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg, Berkeley County Supervisor Bill Peagler and Director of Global Business Development, South Carolina Department of Commerce Nelson Lindsay.

About Blackbaud
Blackbaud (NASDAQ: BLKB) is the world’s leading cloud software company powering social good. Serving the entire social good community—nonprofits, foundations, corporations, education institutions, healthcare institutions and individual change agents—Blackbaud connects and empowers organizations to increase their impact through software, services, expertise, and data intelligence. The Blackbaud portfolio is tailored to the unique needs of vertical markets, with solutions for fundraising and CRM, marketing, advocacy, peer-to-peer fundraising, corporate social responsibility, school management, ticketing, grantmaking, financial management, payment processing, and analytics. Serving the industry for more than three decades, Blackbaud is headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina and has operations in the United States, Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit www.blackbaud.com.

Blackbaud Media Contact
Nicole McGougan
Public Relations Manager
843.654.3307
media@blackbaud.com

Forward-looking Statements
Except for historical information, all of the statements, expectations, and assumptions contained in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Although Blackbaud attempts to be accurate in making these forward-looking statements, it is possible that future circumstances might differ from the assumptions on which such statements are based. In addition, other important factors that could cause results to differ materially include the following: general economic risks; uncertainty regarding increased business and renewals from existing customers; continued success in sales growth; management of integration of acquired companies and other risks associated with acquisitions; risks associated with successful implementation of multiple integrated software products; the ability to attract and retain key personnel; risks related to our dividend policy and share repurchase program, including potential limitations on our ability to grow and the possibility that we might discontinue payment of dividends; risks relating to restrictions imposed by the credit facility; risks associated with management of growth; lengthy sales and implementation cycles, particularly in larger organization; technological changes that make our products and services less competitive; and the other risk factors set forth from time to time in the SEC filings for Blackbaud, copies of which are available free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or upon request from Blackbaud’s investor relations department. All Blackbaud product names appearing herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of Blackbaud, Inc.

We may be connected, but are we touching others…

June 14, 2018

by Charleston Daily 0 Comments

By Mark A. Leon

I had an opportunity to watch a remarkable show several years ago on Fox, Touch featuring Kiefer Sutherland. Aside from an astonishing concept that has global appeal and an emotional message of connection, this show hit the heart of some of my deepest thoughts.

As an addictive, 24 fan, my expectations were high for Kiefer Sutherland and I was not let down. Driven by the concept that we send millions of texts, connect through email, social networks and mobile tracking, the show derives that though millions of interactions occur around the world each and every day, how often to truly touch one another. Think very hard about that statement and see if you can comfortably address that question?

Through human interaction, decisions are made and actions are taken that have a true domino effect. Though in hindsight, one action may influence another event, but it truly can effect hundreds of other simultaneous or future events. We are all unconditionally connected to each and every thing. Is it coincidence, fate or another power that controls our actions?

The depth of life is a wondrous miracle. Human, animals, plants, chemicals, vitamins, all cohesively living in co-habitation on this planet with the goals of sharing resources to continue the gift of life.

Do we see this? For many, life is a bubble. It is a comfortable place of our core surroundings where we understand the actions, the behaviors and the people and places that collectively create our own personal utopia. This is our circle of life. For some it is a single town, a cave, a state, a country, a family or complete isolation. The truth is, the connection of life is endless. We can never truly isolate our being. No matter what choices we make, there are consequences on others. We are all responsibility for something much greater than ourselves.

There are moments in my life that I see things in a much greater light, but not often enough. It is almost a shame that a show needs to remind me, but then again, I saw the show because another connection reminded me.

How often do we hear people talk about “paying it forward” or “karma will come back to bite you in the ass”. In theory, every calculated and un-calculated event that is possible will happen at some time. When you allow yourself to be free of expectations and see each day of your life as something wonderful, almost magical, you will start to see things differently than you ever have before.

Lay in a dark room or a dark field and listen. Listen very closely. You will hear sounds that have previously been blocked from your sub-conscious. You will hear insects, birds and even wind but if you listen very very closely, you will hear the air and the sounds of darkness. There is so much more we chose not to see and hear. Imagine you could hear and see everything that is right before your eyes.

It would be a life experience full of the greatest wonder you could ever imagine.

We are all connected to hundreds, upon thousands through that little device that has become our life line, yet so few of us see a world of wonder right before our eyes. Never question the heart, question the mechanism of translating the heart to the action.