"a butterfly floats on the breeze of a sun lit day..."

“I think that my job is to observe people and the world, and not to judge them. I always hope to position myself away from so-called conclusions. I would like to leave everything wide open to all the possibilities in the world.”
― Haruki Murakami

     This past weekend I had the opportunity to visit Washington DC during peak cherry blossom season. It was a brief but highly engaging eight hour adventure from riding the Metro to walking the National Mall.                                On a gorgeous sunny
 afternoon thousands of locals and tourists from around the world gathered to collect memories and marvel at the incredible monuments. It's easy to think of DC  in negative terms, scoffing at self serving politicians and the contrived arrogance of some educators and business people. DC is notoriously expensive with a high crime rate and ridiculous traffic. However, our nation chronicles it's rich  historic secrets at it's core. The museums, beautiful architecture, tree lined avenues and cultural appeal draws visitors from every state and country.
 Photographers huddled families together for keepsake poses along the steps to the posthumous Lincoln Memorial. Mothers and fathers fought back tears as they solemnly read names from the emotionally stirring Vietnam Veterans Memorial to their curious children. My sister-in-law, her father, my brother and me wore down our heels scurrying as we absorbed the sights, sounds and smells that swirled around us like Whirling Dervishes. The most captivating moments of any excursion is observing human nature. No matter how rude, obnoxious, frustrating or stubborn people may appear they are still endlessly fascinating. No matter how busily we rush through life their are lessons we learn only from each other. Slowly drinking from the cup of humanity is a full days journey always leaving an unquenchable thirst.

“To acquire knowledge, one must study;
but to acquire wisdom, one must observe.”
―    Marilyn Vos Savant