As the earth travels in its orbit around the sun going approximately
18.5 miles per second, spinning on its axis at a rate of about 1,040
miles per hour, we don’t feel a thing. We go about our lives, eating,
driving, sleeping, completely unaware of the astronomical speed that
we’re hurling through space at. It’s a remarkably smooth ride, isn’t it?
Yet here, on the surface of the planet, the ride’s considerably less
smooth. We’re constantly colliding into others, sending each
other ricocheting into different directions. Sometimes we say mean
things. Sometimes we do something that’s interpreted in the wrong way.
Sometimes we, with good intentions, try to help others, but instead we
make things worse. Sometimes we say and do things without thinking.
Sometimes we wound others and are not aware of it; other times we are
fully aware of the pain we are inflicting.
Sometimes it’s a glancing blow that barely registers. Other times it’s
a head on collision that sends us veering off in a wildly different
direction. It’s one of the hazards of living on an increasingly crowded
planet full of flawed and imperfect human beings.
There are ways we can lessen the impact of our collisions with each
other. Listening does a remarkably good job of that. If more people
took the time to REALLY listen and REALLY try to understand and
empathize with each other, we would be able to understand how others
feel. Listening is not enough. We need to actually follow through. For
example, it’s not enough that I hear you say that you’re upset with me
because of something I did, I also need to stop doing that very thing
that upset you. This principle applies to all relationships, not just
romantic couples.
Drama and fights and soap operatic situations will always exist, but we
must try not to forget that we’re all living under the same sky in the
same land on the same planet. It’s amazing how serene Earth looks from
outer space, when down here it’s anything but.
WhiteLancer64 says:
you’re a wise, wise man
gerckenator says:
Matt’s entries have changed from short intelligent entries to long intelligent entries.
Amanda1011 says:
…but they’ve always been intelligent
That’s one of the reasons why I fell in love with him… 
Earth_Alien_RV3 says:
I think he’d have three more female fans… if Steve, Doug, and I were female.
…uhm… in a really really WEIRD, roundabout sort of way… that’s a compliment, Matt.
Overwoman says:
Yes, we’re moving VERY fast. Stand very still with your eyes closed. You can feel your body constantly adjusting to keep from falling… left, right, back, forth… It’s a primitive form of dancing. Now exaggerate the adjustments. PERFECT! You look like a professional dancer (or a shark with no backbone).
Thirty_Three_Times says:
Wow. . . .most of the time I don’t know how to reply to your posts. So I will respond to the comment you left on my site. I also appreciate photography, and I would like to do more of it. I just don’t have the means. . .and I tell myself that I don’t have the talent. Maybe true, maybe not. Anyface, I think Rich would approve of your double-dating idea. I’ll run it by him, because I think it would be fun, too! See you soon!
Earth_Alien_RV3 says:
It’s a picture of Yuna, the main character of Final Fantasy X-2. As well as a star character on Final Fantasy X.
Rebelgirly82 says:
Matt, whenever I pop on to your site, there’s always something well written and profound waiting for me.
knup728 says:
I realize you put this up a while ago, but I just read it today. I completely agree with the relationship/anger/be nice stuff. But here is something to ponder. If you are driving the opposite direction that the earth is spinning, but the mph on the car are reading above the posted speed limit… should the cop be able to give you a ticket. Really if you think about, your actually going slower than the speed limit. Heck, your going slower than what the earth spins at. I think we should be able to get out of those kind of tickets, don’t you?