Life & Happiness

13.8 Billion

The universe is estimated to be 13.8 billion years old. That’s enough time to ask a few cosmic questions…

  • What are educational paths to the space industry?
  • Can astronomy, cosmology, and religion co-exist?
  • Does digitized consciousness unlock time travel by leaving the limitations of a human body behind?
  • How long would it take to arrive at the closest black hole? Who’s going in first?
  • How will robotics, AI, quantum computing, and material science accelerate space exploration?
  • It seems impossible that extraterrestrial life does not exist. When we learn that aliens are real, how should first contact be carried out?
  • If life on Earth has endured less than 25% of the time our universe has existed, how many distant civilizations may have come and gone?
  • Is it not foolish to mindlessly feed on energy that uses finite resources? When might we run out?
  • How does our planet’s spatial position and cosmic direction change inside an infinite universe that is expanding at an ever-increasing rate?
  • Visiting, even colonizing Mars feels like an important interplanetary exercise, but could other planets be a place to store all the things we don’t want on Earth? Even better, how about asteroids we load up and send off into the dark matter?
  • Can subatomic nanotechnologies alter the input of an energy source to transform the output?
  • How will ownership be handled in space?
  • Does seeing deeper fuel urgency?

                        These are bizarre prompts, and cosmic conversations can quickly become theoretical. To find answers in the unknown, our imagination, scientific exploration, and continual learning are essential as we keep tackling the questions of our universe and the unsolved problems in astronomy and astrophysics.

                        Cosmic questions put life into perspective and make our existence feel fragile. Arguing becomes a lost cause when collaboration is vital for our species to survive.

                        Brewed From Within
                        #108 📖 Life & Happiness

                        By Ben McDougal, ago

                        Santa is Real

                        Humans tell stories.

                        Storytelling is the way we communicate and a key to humanity’s evolution. The stories we share come in all genres, but each one builds a different type of connection.

                        Stories often exist for a moment, but some are passed for generations. The most successful stories humans have told may be those about science, mathematics, religion, or money, but holidays may also land on this list of extraordinary, generational storytelling.

                        In the United States, 11 federal holidays are all observed in their own way, but Christmas (and comparable year-end celebrations around the world) creates a special atmosphere. In fact, the entire calendar and our fundamental sense of time seem to revolve around this cozy time of year.  

                        Christmas is when we pause to remember the year that was and look forward to what’s next. With such a shared inflection point, the year-end holiday season has created many recognizable symbols. Many traditions revolve around religion and just as many do not, but the legend of Santa seems synonymous with the holiday spirit.

                        Whether you believe in Santa or not, it’s hard to argue with how well this jolly character embodies the essence of treasured time, cute mystic, generosity, and joy.

                        Think of the generational stories, decorations, letters to Santa, gifts, music, events, movies, more gifts, and all that is integral to the holiday season. Such a story told within culture can spark an undeniable, personal truth.

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                        Watching little ones lean into the holiday spirit makes us grateful and fills us with pure wonder. Children may be our favorite stories of all, so have fun telling them!

                        Great stories bring us together. If the result is anything close to the beautiful innocence of a child’s sparkle around the holiday seasons, I’m a believer and thankful that Santa is real.

                        Brewed From Within
                        #103 📖 Life & Happiness

                        By Ben McDougal, ago

                        One & Only

                        The weight of one is heavy. Something so rare makes us feel like we have only one chance to get it right.

                        If the one-and-only is inanimate, we never want it diminished. If it’s alive, we seek the futile tranquility of immortality. The desire for everlasting sustainability pressed against the tension of time can make oneness a bit overwhelming. This emotion can devolve into a fear of change and selfish preservation.

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                        Freedom awaits on the timeline of now.

                        Being present is hard when we’re always reflecting on the past and thinking about the future, but what choice do we have? Altering the past is not an option. All we have is now, but the present never stops passing. Time becomes an endless transition. Within the blur, gratitude provides peace. It invites us to cherish our one and onlys.

                        Such admiration acknowledges the past, allows the present to be a gift, and instills renewed optimism for what’s next. For all that is one and only, we say thank you.

                        Brewed From Within
                        #117 📖 Life & Happiness

                        By Ben McDougal, ago

                        Bookmarks

                        We are given and also earn many bookmarks in life. The first day of school, birthdays, holidays, weddings, vacations, the arrival of a child, a new job, launching a business… and when one accepts that we may only have one life to live.

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                        Someday is dangerous.
                        Today is all we have.
                        Start.

                        As we learn from the past, we acknowledge the present, keep building with less hesitation, and remain thankful for these bookmarks in life.

                        Cheers to all we’ve done, the hearts we’ve touched, and the connections we’ve shared. This appreciation adds to existing momentum, even when our directions inevitably change.

                        Brewed From Within
                        #113 📖 Life & Happiness

                        By Ben McDougal, ago

                        Pure Wonder

                        Children embody a state of wonderment.
                        They wake up each morning without a plan.

                        They have no preconceptions. No judgments. No worries. This lack of anticipation allows kids to live naturally in the moment. These littles get excited about teeny things and cry over nothing. Their states of wonder are fascinating.

                        Now, fast forward 20 years. The world hardens us. We want to impress and make our mark, but life is exhausting. A loudness disguised as busy is distracting. The need to make ends meet adds constant noise. Our experiences make us intelligent, capable, and aware of our surroundings, but they may limit our ability to feel the silence of pure wonder.

                        Occasionally, trade a daily grind with thinking like a child. Pretend you were born yesterday. Be silly. Forget the agenda. Color outside lines. Get weird to solve problems. Laugh at mistakes. Play in your sandbox and get messy.

                        Wonderment can shrink the ego to make room for more. What you’re building matters, and if you discover pure wonder, be thankful and pass it on.

                        Brewed From Within
                        #67 📖 Technology

                        By Ben McDougal, ago