Approaching the final day of 2014, I've recognized the profound changes even a single year brings in all our lives. And I see how my perceptions equally have evolved with the passage of 12 months.
Imagine how many people (and events) entered and departed your life in 2014; where you were a year ago and are this morning. Who's been gleaned that took more than they gave to enriching your spirit? Who arrived that replenishes the best in you? What experiences have changed life's direction and fulfillments?
In other words, how have the contexts of all our lives evolved day after day, month after month, inexorably toward the person who stares back from the mirror this morning?
And through many daily choices, we will even be different people at this time next year.
I once read that we physically become completely different people every seven years, as each cell in our body is continuously replaced and renewed over that period. It's equally true with our psyches and spirits. We hopefully grow from the lessons we experience without becoming cynical in a way that keeps us from continuing to take the risks that often result in the greatest rewards.
Like all of you who've been in this mysterious world of awareness and actions, I've survived enough lessons to finally realize what I want and need to best fulfill my life. Took long enough, I'd say. As a result, I feel more prepared than ever to acknowledge the people and events I know will enrich the experience rather than drain it.
With those thoughts in mind, I'm intentionally moving into 2015 with a hopeful, fresh perspective on everything, everyone and an authentic happiness for each morning and new day.
Here's hoping you use your choices with discernment to make it a happy and rewarding new year in every possible way.
Suit over bridges
A news account last week says Washington County Road Department employee George Braswell filed a federal suit alleging that the Washington County judge and road supervisors violated his civil rights by trying to suppress free speech and creating a hostile work environment after he cited construction problems with two county bridges.
A heavy equipment operator, Braswell claims he was harassed and bullied when he raised concerns that the Harvey Dowell and Stonewall Road bridges weren't being built safely.
The story said the Dowell Bridge east of Fayetteville opened after its reconstruction about a year ago. Similar work is ongoing at Stonewall, just west of Prairie Grove. Estimated cost for both is about a million dollars.
Braswell's suit claims construction on the bridges deviated from the engineer's original plans, particularly for the cantilever end walls at either end. He also contends steel rebar reinforcements were improperly installed and in smaller amounts than needed, leaving both bridges "dangerously under-supported." He complained to Arkansas Occupational Safety and Health about unsafe working conditions and sent a letter to the quorum court, the lawsuit states.
This suit strikes me as pretty clear-cut. Either the engineer's safety designs were followed or they weren't. And if not, why not?
Beautimous Buckyball
Among my most pleasant discoveries in 2014 has been artist Leo Villareal's unique and transformative Buckyball sculpture that graces the entry drive to Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.
This 30-foot dual geodesic sculpture named after the late engineer Buckminister Fuller's famous geodesic sphere boasts 180 LED tubes in a series of hexagons and pentagons combination of 16 million possible colors that constantly shift through the artist's computer program.
It's surprising how many didn't realize this piece of magically active art had been opened to the public last May following a loan arrangement with the Madison Square Park Conservancy, the Gering & Lopez Gallery (both of New York) and Villareal.
A new friend led me to Buckyball one evening. We arrived and settled on a cool evening into one of the uniquely curved benches that enable viewers to lean back and stare into the wonder of it all. Directly above was a colorful inner sphere of tubes encased by a larger outer version that form the shape of a carbon 60 molecule.
Villareal's program randomly determines the color, opacity and speed of the light sequences. His intent is to display the colors in a visual feast.
The museum says the shifting colors "trigger in the viewer an innate neurological compulsion to recognize patterns in order to understand one's surroundings." I just thought it was awfully pretty.
And since we already understood where we were in our surroundings (and it hurt my tiny brain to try and calculate any pattern), we decided to settle for mindless staring in mutual awe.
------------v------------
Mike Masterson's column appears regularly in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Email him at [email protected].
Editorial on 12/30/2014