Beyond time and space...

Watching Band of Brothers again. I love history, especially WWII. Every time I watch this series I find something new, some new small detail. A lieutenant's fly button being a compass. So much thought into something so minor. For me it's not so much learning dates and names, but technology, ingenuity, reasons, actions, and emotions. WWII is really the first modern all out war with the mix of technology and documentation that lets us see first hand what really happens on the inside.

I don't revel in blood and guts, it is the sad part of war. Getting to taste just a bit of the emotion they must have felt, seeing the choices and determination. The feeling of resolve and purpose, unity and pride in their tasks. Even at the worst, being able to do what was needed though it cost them everything. Sacrifice. Wanting nothing for themselves except peace and quiet.

For me one of the most important things is understanding just how hard doing a job under the worst stress possible is, and how a lot of my own problems could not even compare to that. You begin to appreciate the things in life that really mean something to you and make you want to work to have them, though it may in the end be fruitless and cost you everything. Doing something difficult, even if it hurts you in ways, seems to be the standard price for trying to have something you believe in. Lately, I have found that to be very true.

You can learn a lot about things from exploring history. There is not much that is new to us as far as emotions go. If you can learn from the past, it might be able to show you something to help you in the future, if you let it. Even being able to examine your own mistakes. Finding ways to skip hardships and reach the joy in life is like playing chutes and ladders. As you travel the board you can find bits that help you climb up and skip lots of steps, but there are traps that will send you sliding right back down again.

What will you roll today? ...