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Five hundred twenty-five thousand

Six hundred minutes,

Five hundred twenty-five thousand

Moments so dear.

Five hundred twenty-five thousand

Six hundred minutes

How do you measure, measure a year?

In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights

In cups of coffee

In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife.

In five hundred twenty-five thousand

Six hundred minutes

How do you measure

A year in the life?

How about love?

How about love?

How about love?

Measure in love

— Seasons of Love from RENT by Jonathan Larson

I’ve been thinking lately about measurements. Specifically when it comes to emotion and human interaction. Words mean things. How we use them to measure and gauge ourselves, each other, and our surroundings can be quite telling.

For instance, intimacy is always measured in distance. When we have an intimate relationship with someone we say we are "close" to them. When someone is withdrawn we say they are "distant". Of course, I’m very close to people who live thousands of miles away and there are many times I feel distant in a crowded room. Yet, such words take on powerfully descriptive new meanings in a different context.

I also wonder if we are measuring things by the proper metrics. Just as Jonathan Larson urges us to consider measuring a year with love, should we measure how good the day was by counting the number of times we smile ("A seventeen smile day!")? How about the bad by tears ("I’m having a fifty-three tear day")?

Then there are the things we can’t measure using any words that seem adequate. Like love for ones children, partner, or spouse. I know my measurements always fall short because just when I feel I can’t love my wife any more than I do I surprise myself. How can words of measure capture that?

There is no grand point to resolve here. These are just some of the ideas about this subject that have been occupying my mind lately and I felt it time to share them.

What if, one day, no one showed up to the Internet¹? What if no one updated their status? What if no one checked in? There were no photos uploaded. No pushing publish. Nothing.

Then, what if, no one ever returned? Ever.

The truth is, we don’t need the Internet. The Internet needs us. Because, it is mostly made of us. Our words. Our pictures. Our creations. Our art. Our experiences. Our thoughts. Our opinions. Our feelings. Our endeavors. Our truths.

And, because it is made of us and our work, we should bring to it all that we are and all that we are capable of.

I’m a full-time independent writer who shows up here every day in the hopes that I can help make the Internet the best it can be. If you enjoy what you read here, please consider a free will donation of any amount.

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can be found easily. Special can’t. Same can be overlooked. Special can’t be ignored. Comparable is open to argument. Special can’t be denied. Special cant be easily copied or purchased or sold. It is rare by its very nature.

Find what it is about your work that makes what you offer special. Protect and invest heavily in that. Then, make sure it is the thing you lead with, what you demonstrate, and what you constantly work on strengthening, solidifying, and improving.

Because, once you know what makes you so special and are confident in your ability to execute it, you will never have to tell it to others. What makes you special will speak for itself.

I’m a writer. Writing is how I make this world better, friendlier, stronger place. If these words improved your day, please let me know by contributing here.