Infinite diversity in infinite combinations…
symbolizing the elements that create truth and beauty.
-Commander Spock, Star Trek

Now I know I’ve written on this subject before.  But this time…. dang it.  I mean it.

One of the things I am truly coming to appreciate is the cultural differences in our world.   As far as this goes…. I suggest that there is no right way or wrong way.  Simply put…. each of us were born in a different place and a different time.  That’s all.

We are different.  But all of us…. very much the same.

As it was so aptly put to me a couple of days ago:  There are three kinds of people in this world.  Good People.  Bad People.  And Politicians.

At first I wasn’t completely sure about this statement.  And then I realized it is quite true.  We draw separations between our cultures because of politics.  Power. Rooster Feathers.  And the like.

When in fact…. we are all here together.  What we wear.  How we eat.  Who we believe in.  How we pray.  All the same… but unique.

This little boat ride is teaching me a lot.

And. About today.  We stopped in Stockholm, Sweden.  Another amazingly beautiful city.  Clean. Vibrant.  Old.  Full of History.  Inviting.  Yummy.  Stockholm has a coolness about it.  Cool…. like… leather-jacket-meets-cotton-candy cool.   It was delightful and engaging.

We only had the chance to sample a morsel of this grand city today.  The city of Vikings… and nobles… and old ships.  Islands.  Swedish Fish.

We visited a little village called Sigtuna.  We explored Old Town near the Grand Palace in Stockholm.  And finally, toured the Vasa Museum.  The Vasa was a grand Swedish warship built in 1628.   It sunk to the bottom of the sea on its maiden voyage.  Really…. it only sailed about 1,300 meters, I think. They found it 333 years later… brought it up from the depths of the lake… and now it is on display in its very own museum.  This was quite overwhelming to see….and consider.

Yep.  It was a grand day. And just remember… a Viking is just a another dude in a little party hat.

It is difference of opinion that makes horse races.
-Mark Twain

A human being is a part of the whole that we call the universe,
a part limited in time and space.
He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings,
as something separated from the rest-
a kind of optical illusion of his consciousness.
This illusion is a prison for us,
restricting us to our personal desires
and to affection for only the few people nearest us.
Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison
by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living beings
and all of nature.
-Albert Einstein