I love analogies. They are most helpful in explaining our world. Take, for example, the behavior of electrons. Remember that all atoms are the building blocks of all physical matter. We know this through centuries of scientific experimentation. In recent years we've even been able to make the world's smallest movie with individual atoms. More on that later.
Atoms have a nucleus with electrons orbiting around the outside of the nucleus. The flow of electrons from atom to atom is what makes electrical current, or electricity. Certain materials have electrons that move more freely than other materials. These are called conductors because they conduct electricity, like metal. These materials have low resistance. Materials that don't conduct electricity are called insulators, like glass. These materials have high resistance. Materials whose conductivity can be altered are called semiconductors. OK. Maybe, too much information.
Conductors, insulators, and Semiconductors are all needed to make electronic devices; high resistance and low resistance. In this physical model, I see an analogy to life.
Sometimes we meet resistance in our daily lives. Perhaps the line is long at the DMV, or our child will not cooperate. Sometimes things flow smoothly, and we get from A to B with little effort. We long for those kinds of days where everything is easy. But they rarely happen because life is life. What if we are to change our perspective on those things? We build patience and understanding when we encounter resistance. Vacation is for low resistance. Life isn't a vacation. Life is a challenge. We grow in a challenge.
When we change our perspective and focus on the journey, everything seems to come together and make sense. In fact, when we push ourselves and take the path of most resistance, this is where we manifest what we are to become. We forge our mettle in the significant challenges we face, and we overcome. Sometimes we might even inspire someone.
Last week my Aunt Dottie died. She was 100 years old. In her late 40's her husband, my uncle Fef, died at age 53. The youngest of her 12 children was only 4. She didn't choose her path of most resistance; it was thrust upon her. Yet, she, and each of her children, thrived. This is most remarkable. See, was that type of person who gave you an immediate connection. Her love and understanding were deep, and yet she was strong and committed. Her smile was the warmest you could imagine. Now that smile shines from 12 faces with the same intensity. This weekend we will grieve her loss together. From grief comes growth. From trial comes strength.
In 2013, researchers at IBM made the world's smallest movie. They created a stop motion animation called "A Boy and His Atom." Through a tool called an Atomic Force Microscope (ATM), researchers can create images of an atom. An ATM works like a record turntable, except the needle comes to a point that is a single atom. As the needled moves across a surface, if it encounters another atom, it moves. This movement can be detected, measured, and creates images from the measurements.
Additionally, an ATM can be used to move and position individual atoms. The animation uses these images of arranged atoms to create the movie. It's called "A Boy and His Atom." Check it out.
The scientists and engineers who create so much incredible technology take the path of most resistance as a matter of course. They seldom say "we can't" and routinely say "what if?"
In closing, I'm reminded of this beautiful quote from Teddy Roosevelt.
"It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming, but who does actually strive to do the deeds, who knows great enthusiasm, the great devotions, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."
Be well, dear reader.
For those that want to geek out, here is a video on the making of "A Boy and His Atom."
Here is a video on the production of a
Photo credit: David Nadlinger, University of Oxford. Image of an Iridium atom suspended in an electric field and excited with a blue-violet laser.
