Monday, November 23, 2009

Buon Compleanno, Fibonacci!

Fibonacci, renown mathematician, would have turned 834 years old this Saturday, November 28. Highlowaha will be involved in our Yellow Envelope Project this Saturday and, since postage for yellow envelopes delivered to heaven are pricier than most of us can afford during the holiday season, we will celebrate Fibonacci today.

Those who know me well are surprised I am making time to celebrate the birth of a mathematician. After all, the more prolific and successful a mathematician is, the more there is for me to learn. Numbers aren't my strong suit and I don't generally look for more reasons than necessary to broadcast my ignor... void.

But.

If listening intently enough, messages - even answers to questions - might be surrounding you.

I could go into great detail about the who, what, where, when, why, and how of my connection to Fibonacci, but I've learned brevity scores more points. Suffice it to say, one month ago you could have told me we were having Fibonacci for dinner and I would have been licking my chops ready for a great Italian meal.

Earlier this month I was reading a book titled, The Think Big Manifesto, by Michael Port. I have big dreams for Shine, Ray Wattson, Yellow Envelope Project, and our Highlowaha community and, The Think Big Manifesto served as a healthy dose of inspiration at the right time. In his book, Port explains,
"To think big is a thing of beauty in keeping with the mathematical code of Fibonacci numbers. I have used its sequence to describe the principles of thinking big. I have another purpose in using this seemingly random numbering. That is, to demonstrate that no one of these principles has a higher priority than another. Rather, each builds on every other one, creating and interdependent web."
That same week I was plotting out upcoming blog topics for Highlowaha and, as usual, consulted the web for a calendar of fun dates. Fibonacci's birthday was listed. One week earlier and that date would have meant nothing to me and, instead, today we would be talking about dressing your turkey.

Click here if you want a credible explanation of Fibonacci's code. Otherwise settle for the remedial and perfectly parochial point I hope to make.

Fibonacci's code is like nature's numbering system. His numbers, in sequence, appear everywhere in nature, from the leaf arrangement in plants, to the pattern of the florets of a flower, the bracts of a pine cone, or the scales of a pineapple, and on and on and on. WOW! Method to the madness? Really, who knew?

How many times have you looked at a pine cone, a sea shell, a pineapple, a strawberry, or a daisy and taken their beauty or symmetry for granted? For me, far too many!

But.

The realization there is a code helping explain what I suddenly realize are perfect patterns to simple things, such as pine cones and daisies, is not only inspiring, but also comforting.

Inspiring because, it seems, there is no way such a thing good be accidental or coincidental. Comforting because, I think it means there is a natural order to things and that that order is far stronger than any of our human attempts to control the world around us.

Fibonacci's Code is my reminder that, if I simply plow forward, living each day with purpose and offering up what I have to give the world, eventually a sequence of contributions will emerge, every bit as beautiful as the seashell, the flower, or the pine cone.

How about you?

Consider leaving your home today in search of a pine cone. Bring it home and spend some time studying the wonder that is Fibonacci's Code. Then imagine - maybe even journal - what that very same code might mean for you.

I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Signing off until tomorrow...

10 comments:

cassie p said...

who won best kiss?

Robin said...

Being married to a mathematician I can tell you that we talk about Fibonacci and all those other math guys a lot. Let me tell you, the were always dueling, drinking and dying over the ladies. A wild group to say the least!

Sir Isaac Newton's birthday is recorded to have been on 12/25. So another fun one coming up!

I think big for HLA too!

Claudia @ Highlowaha said...

Good question, Cassie. Maybe Cheryl will tune in this morning and let us know.

So good to see you posting again. We miss you!

Cheryl Houston said...

Oh my goodness, there are a lot of BIG words in todays post. I think I get it... it may look random but there is order to everything. I like numbers. When I'm drawing something I find myself counting. Did I put in 12 of something? I was born on the 12th. I have other hidden number sequences but I won't bore you with that.

On to the Mistletoe Pomander winner! Thanks to all who participated. I consulted with my Guest Judge- Margeret- and the winner is Jessie Freeman with her Magical Kiss under the Mistletoe in Magic Kingdom.

Jessie- I will pack it up and send it to you before I leave for my moms house for Thanksgiving. I know you're still waiting on your other piece of artwork. Have faith. I'll get it done eventually. You would think it's a freaking huge masterpiece the way I've let it drag on but that's how I work... S L O W!!! :)

Katie said...

I love this post. I love to live by year way of life which believes there is a rhyme and reason(or pattern) for everything! I'm going to look for patterns in life today!

Heather said...

I've waited to post today because the topic of math had me running scared. But I do like patterns and order in life so I'll embrace that message from today's post.

On another note I just registered Team Shine for the 2010 Breast Cancer 3 Day in Dallas...wanna walk with us? Register today and save $35 on your registration cost using code Power10!

Cheryl Houston said...

I'm all signed up with Team Shine!!

:)

Katie said...

I just officially registered for the 3 Day Walk, too! Go Team Shine!!!

Who else is going to join us?

Peggy said...

Okay,
First~ wow, I'm watching tv and someone just had an "AHA" moment

2nd: I'm having computer problelms so I couldn't grasp the blog post this morning, now getting back on to the computer at 7pm

C: at first glance, my thought on pine cones... I used to collect them on walks as a child, my mom used to make wreathes out of pine cones, she used wire and I remember she loved making them, but they worked havoc on her fingers, I love my pine cones now, especially the cinnamon ones! Smell great!

4: I count numbers a lot, especially to 10

5: Is Buon Compleanno.... Italian? I'm reading EAT, PRAY, Love and the first section is about learning Italian for the love of learning a beautiful language.

6: My temp job now, I'm constantly counting and playing games because of the repetivenss (I'm packaging gift cards, so I count cards, envelopes, boxes, postage)

7: Sissy just told me she got a 15 out of 14 on her latest math test... and now is thinking about doing a 'career' in math instead of law.... ps she is 14.... loved Elle Woods (Legally Blond) now she thinks she'd like to be a math teacher.... cool beans!....

okay, I can't make it up to ten!

cassie p said...

im in and out now...sadly more of a lurker i guess. but i read every post, if not the day of, then i catch back up later in the week. i just dont have comments much anymore...