No matter who you are and what kind of head you have, there is only so much room in there. I recommend you give precious air to those thoughts that help you.
Yesterday, this helpful thought appeared in my head:
I need some fresh air!
So I headed out, into the notably warm air. As I walked, many songs aired through my headphones, including The Heat of the Day by Pat Metheny and Pharrell Williams’s Happy (airing for the first time since it helped me get through a bout of pneumonia last spring).
This future-oriented thought took up air in my head:
What tune should I use for my blog post tomorrow?
But I aired that out, re-focusing on the present moment. I had faith that — no matter what song you heard in your head as you were reading my post today — it would match airy images like these:
Then, Airhead by Thomas Dolby took up air in my head, as I walked through the warm air, yesterday.
Here’s a recent live version of that song:
(YouTube video found here)
… and another live performance from when Airhead first aired, in the 1980’s.
(YouTube video found here)
And — in case there’s enough air in your head for three versions of the same song — here’s the official video for Airhead (with lyrics):
This thought aired in my head, when I heard Airhead yesterday:
Perfect! That tune lets me air thoughts I have about sexism, a topic I raised in a recent blog post, but haven’t revisited!
And I saw lots of images, where I could pretend to be an airhead:
Duh! Isn’t West supposed to be opposite to East?
Where’s the private property in that photo? Am I supposed to stay off that grass?
Are the pets really THAT BIG around here? Why are they welcomed, then?
However, would photos and captions like that really make non-airy points about sexism? I mean, I’m constantly airing images like those in my posts, no matter how much air I have in my head.
Then, I realized I could see a movie that’s been airing in theaters since the summer:
Even though the name of it wasn’t aired on that marquee, “Guardians of the Galaxy” was playing at the theater there, and I’ve been wanting to see that.
As I moved through the air, to discover the next airing of “Guardians of the Galaxy,” I took this photo:
The man driving the car noticed me taking a photo, and waved at me. I stopped to speak with him, airing that I take pictures for a daily blog.
He wanted me to take a photo of the last letter his son wrote him, before he died:
As I turned to leave, he said this amazing thing to me:
I love you with all my heart.
And, then he said:
I don’t judge people. I know them by their hearts. How about you?
I said, “Me, too.”
Then, I went to see “Guardians of the Galaxy.” Before it started, I took this photo, so I could air it for Vic Briggs, who loves Benedict Cumberbatch.
I loved “Guardians of the Galaxy,” for oh so many reasons, which I don’t have time to air this morning.
I wish the main character could have been a woman … but you can’t have everything, can you?
Thanks to every woman and man who contributed to this post today and to you — of course! — for everything that’s in your head, right now.
I am very moved by your encounter with the man who carries the last letter his son wrote to him. Sometimes, Ann, we entertain angels without being aware that we are doing so…. <3
Diana xo
Thank you, Diana, for this angelic comment. Hearts back at you.
I found your post today to be very airy, Ann. Pet friendly. One with the Galaxy. In tune with angels. My tune, for the still-grieving father: “Just a Song Before I Go,” from Crosby, Stills, Nash (and sometimes Young).
Thanks for the gift of this comment, Mark. Here’s a gift, in response:
Thanks for the present, Ann. One of my iPad difficulties is that it automatically goes to the YouTube version that is embed-codeless. You fixed that for me right here. Yay!
Great post…there are times when becoming an airhead is the best, walking around and just absorbing in all that you see 🙂 Loved the photo looking down the road with those beautiful trees and blue sky, but it is your encounter with the gentleman with the last letter his son wrote that is most inspiring to get out and see/witness the world around out there first hand. So nice 🙂
I love your take on “airhead,” Randall. Thanks so much for reading and commenting, with your kind and clear perspective on the world. It always creates a wonderful space in my head.
Great post! I am having fun today viewing all the wordpress ‘you may like’ blogs and yours was one!
I love just walking around and observing too. Your pics are great (I especially like the road one with the trees and stone wall). The part about you meeting the grieving father was so beautiful, thank you for sharing 🙂
Welcome, fellow WordPresser. I’m loving your blog, also.
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What a moving encounter. I like the little bird painted in the road.
I liked that a lot too, Hilary. I’m so glad you noticed what you noticed here.
I loved Guardians of the Galaxy! Mr. T and I had a blast watching that one – so I’m glad you got to see it!
I hope to see it again, Kate, maybe with Aaron!
Your posts are more like adventures 🙂
Your comment put a lot of happy air into my head, Alex.
You are always a breath of fresh air 🙂
The grieving father picked the right person to share his son’s letter with. I’m glad that you were there for him, Ann.
I’m glad you’re here!!!!!!!!!!
That man couldn’t have picked a better stranger to welcome into his world.
Thanks for this comment, one of the better stranger ones I have ever received.
Ann, that is the sweetest thing and thank you. It is a heartwarming piece and my heart was caught already when I came across the dedication that was meant for me. Hope you are having an amazing week an thank you again for thinking of me x
Vic! I’m such an airhead it took me months to notice this great comment. Always wonderful to see you here.