You’re sitting in a CHAIR in the SKY!

Dad sent this poignant video of comedian/commentator Louis C.K. on Conan O’Brien my way a week or so ago.  (I’d love to embed it, but it’s been disabled for this video.)  Take four minutes and watch it.  It’s worth it.  I’ll be here when you get back.

I’ve written and said several times that one of the most tragic things about growing up is that it takes more and more to truly impress you.  When the world loses its newness, it can take a little effort to rediscover the marvels of everyday life.

Isn’t it worth it, though?  Technological advances are easy to miss because they’re gradual and ever-evolving, but take a snapshot of your life today and try to think back to a typical day of 20 years ago.  There’s a hard drive in your iPod that wasn’t available for any computer at any price until very recently.  When was the last time you considered how incredibly complex, yet freakishly reliable, your car is?  Do you even remember what it feels like not to have access to a robust World Wide Web?  I’ve written about that one before.

Louis C.K.’s comments on air travel really ring true with me.  I don’t care for all of the logistics of flying, and I really dislike the near-fully relinquished control.  But wow, the actual act of sitting in that airplane and looking out the window still rocks me.  Flying home from Atlanta—a common last leg of any trip that only takes about half an hour—I usually look out continuously.  I don’t expect I’ll ever “get over” that, because I don’t intend to.

The wonder isn’t only looking up into the heavens, or feeling the ocean lapping at your toes, or gazing out across a tree-lined valley.  Sometimes it’s on an IC in your pocket.  That wonder is just as genuine, if you remember to consider it.

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