Love what humans have done with the place
Mark Pavilons

There's a Latin expression that I've come to embrace - Noli nothis permittere te terere or "don't let the (so-and-sos) get you down."

It's very easy for us human beings to slump, and fall victim to negative thoughts and actions. Is it any wonder, given the constant bombardment of negativity we face on a daily basis?

I truly admire those unusually happy individuals who seem to rise above it all in fine fashion. You likely know someone who is eternally cheerful, almost to the point of annoyance. I think the reason they strike us as odd, is that we can't get into that same mode of exuberance and we're jealous. After all, given the choice, who wouldn't want to be positive and joyous 24/7?

While I strive for joviality, I do fall prey to the nagging nasties in my brain. My Virgo nature, coupled with my somewhat jaded view of things due to my profession, tend to make me moody and down. It's not a pleasant place. It's void of ice cream, merry-go-rounds, ponies and balloons.

Despite the fact there are literally hundreds of things I don't like, despise, dread, abhor, deplore and object to, I tell my offspring never to use the word "hate" when referring to people. It's far too strong, reserved, in my opinion, for things like evil actions taken by the Devil and his minions. You can hate cockroaches, but even they have mothers!

My abbreviated list of things that make me twitch in a not-so-nice manner includes:

Selfishness; self-centredness; greed; egoism; insurance company tightness; mortgages; people who can't explain what they do for a living; litter; people spitting on the sidewalk; aggressive drivers; snooty people who think they are above everyone else; con artists and everyone who makes a profit from other people's misery. I could go on, but I think you get where I'm coming from.

Unfortunately, I can't do much about my fellow human beings. A high school friend of my suggested long ago that something be done about all the stupid people in the world. Given his military background, his suggestion is something I really can't repeat here. To put it in perspective, George Carlin said it well:

"Think about how stupid the average person is, then realize that half the population is stupider."

From my observations over the years, humans aren't evolving as fast as I'd like. Sure, we're more informed, more aware, more comfortable and somewhat better off, but that's it. We're no more compassionate, generous, courteous or loving than our predecessors. Given the amount of "abuse" of our God-given qualities, the saying "what goes around comes around" offers little in the way of consolation. The list of offenders of that code is growing exponentially, and Judgement Day is too far off.

All that being said, there are many, many things I love about this planet, its inhabitants and my own microworld. Humans are capable of such wonderful things, it almost makes you forget all the bad things we've done over the millennia.

My list of things I love is a great comfort to me. We should all consider ourselves somewhat blessed.

I love seeing my children laugh to the point of tears. Liam woke up laughing out loud the other morning, sending ripples of laughter across the faces of his parents. It was quite a sight. He said he was waking up from a dream where he was wrestling with a gaseous tiger.

Whether they're playing together, engaging in a tickle fight, or being tested on some amusement park ride, watching children giggle uncontrollably makes me grin and glow. I get warm and fuzzy all over. It's like I'm about to burst with all that bottled-up joy inside. I would encourage every parent and grandparent not only to look for such moments, but to create them. This is a feeling like nothing else on earth.

I love food that's bad for you. Consequently, I love holidays when we throw caution to the wind and literally pig out on all that wonderfully fattening food that was sent directly from Heaven as a reward for being good citizens. These delicacies include, but are not limited to, hamburgers as big as my head; pizza with more toppings than I can count; creamy cheesecake that makes you drool like a dog; steak so thick I need another person to help cut it; jumbo shrimp that require saddles; cheese melted on anything; chicken wings; currie; potato chips of every colour; imported beer and processed meat fashioned into weenies, sticks and chewy things. The smell of pizza, popcorn, freshly baked cookies, barbeque and coffee all put a spring in my step, too. There's nothing like sipping a steaming cup of java on the dock at the cottage early in the morning.

Wow, am I glad that humans put their prowess into culinary delights. Hats off to the all the chefs, cooks and behind-the-scenes creators.

Like my fellow bipeds, I am well aware of the lifegiving qualities of our sun. I love sunshine on my face and a light breeze off the lake during the summer. I love sunny winter days when the icicles begin to drip. The sunny Caribbean is like being given a soul-cleansing birthday gift that never ends. We do have a glass globe filled with beach sand from the Bahamas. If I could, I'd fill my back yard with the stuff so I could wiggle my toes in it every morning.

I've seen sunrises and sunsets around the planet. They are just as amazing each and every time and I never get tired of them.

I love powered flight and soaring to new heights. I have never learned to pilot a plane, but I love all aircraft. My son Liam hopes to one day be an astronaut and I may yet have the opportunity to go where few men and women have gone before. I admire all who've held the stick or wheel in their hands and engaged in barnstorming, dogfights and acrobatics. I can't think of anything else here on earth that allows us to be so free and unencumbered.

Music. Who doesn't love it? From '80s rock to Latin beats, I think music is another of humankind's greatest creations. It complements any occasion, holiday or event quite nicely. Singing out loud with the headphones on while vacuuming is another of my pastimes. Don't worry, I close the blinds.

I never thought, in a million eons, I'd share the earbuds of an iPod with my daughter, listening to hip hop. I sang a karaoke version of Foreigner's Cold As Ice before a live audience in Cancun a few years back. My mom said it was one of my shining moments. For my next number, slated sometime before I depart this world, I'd like to perform a live version of Cum on Feel the Noize by Quiet Riot, or join the Gypsy Kings on stage at my birthday party. I'm smiling just thinking about it.

I love she who carried and grew my children. My wife Kim is one of the most caring and compassionate souls I've ever met. She also has tenacity, patience and intuition in spades. While she doesn't share my interest in aircraft, Star Trek or beef, she puts up with my whims and eccentricities. She loves me unconditionally and that, my friends, is rare. The goodness I see in her and in everyone in my family, strengthens my faith in our species.

Maybe there's hope for humans yet. Considering the best of this place has to offer, parting will be sweet sorrow!