So crazy it makes perfect sense...

Have you ever heard of the 6 Degrees of Separation Theory? It is an interesting theory. It is the possibility in which the amazingly active social media of today has allowed people to stay in touch with so many people and meet so many new people it's crazy. So check this out. The 6 Degrees of Separation  Theory means I am only 6 people away from knowing absolutely everyone. At first that sounds impossible but let me give you a few examples. 

(1) I am sitting on a plane from Salt Lake City, Utah to Paris, France when I start chatting with the gentleman next to me. He says he's from Prague in the Czech Republic. I say I'm from Idaho in the US. He smiles and says "My daughter recently married a man from Ketchum, Idaho." I then remember a friend of mine from college had recently posted pictures on his facebook page about going to his cousin's wedding in Ketchum, Idaho. He had married a girl from Europe. Could it be? 

(2) I had gone out with this one guy, Scott, several times and was showing my sister a photo of him. The photo contained not only contained Scott but his 8 year old son as well. My sister studies the picture for a second and says "I know his kid he goes to the same school as my son. I am actually really good friends with this kid's mom. She lives just three houses down and now that I think about it yes her ex husband's name was Scott." Really?

(3) My sister is building a house in the country and her new neighbors don't appreciate the company. She is telling my brother one day about how she has tried so hard to build a friendly relationship with her new neighbors but they are having none of it. My brother who lives 5 hours away manages a hotel. One day he is talking to a few of his regular tenants when they start complaining about how this annoying family is building this ridiculous house right next to them crowding in on their solitary country lifestyle. "Your new neighbors wouldn't happen to be the Jensens' would they?" my brother's asks. "Yes how did you know that?" the couple asks. "That annoying family would be my sister," my brother replies. And the awkward moment settles in.

Picture copied from Wikipedia

Stop and think about it for yourself. Have you ever had these kinds of moments? Maybe we all really are only 6 people away from knowing everyone. 

Cincinnatus

Lucius Quintuis Cincinnatus was a Roman statesman. He was a husband, father and farmer. In 458 BC the Romans were under attack from the Aequi. The Aquei were quickly advancing on the Romans. In a panic, the senate nominated Cincinnatus to become dictator. A group of senators went to find Cincinnatus to tell him the news. They found him on his farm. Cincinnatus literally went from plowing to dictatorship.

(Oil painting by Leon Benouville 1844)

In only a matter of days Cincinnatus had created an army. He then personally led this army into battle against the Aequi and won. After his victory he disbanded his army, gave up his absolute power and returned to his farm. He did all of this in a matter of 15 days. Talk about an awesome man. He was given absolute power which he used only for the good of the people then promptly gave up that absolute power and returned to his humble life.This man's incredible example of virtue and honest has reached across the centuries. The town of Cincinnati, Ohio was named after him and George Washington looked up to this man for inspiration during the Revolutionary War. There is a saying often associated with Cincinnatus. "Absolute power should only be given to those who want it least."

Things that Make Me Smile

I was walking to work when I saw this in the snow. I love little things like this, they make me smile.