Annies, Cannonballs, and the World's Most Inconvenient Pool Furniture (Lifeguard Insight)

(Illustrative Only)

A lifeguard who swam
out to a stand to get a better view. 

Lifeguard training is no joke. Sure, from the beach it might look like we're just sitting in a chair working on our tan, but behind that whistle is a surprising amount of training.

During certification, instructors hide submerged "victims" throughout the pool. Thankfully, they're training mannequins—affectionately known as "Annies". The Annies get tucked into corners, placed on the bottom, or hidden where you don't expect them, forcing lifeguards to constantly improve their scanning skills. It is designed that way to show how our brains might skip over things and how prevetion helps.

Now imagine taking that challenge from a clear swimming pool to a lake or the ocean. Add waves, glare from the sun, changing currents, floating toys, and dozens of swimmers. Suddenly, spotting someone in trouble becomes a lot more complicated. Throw a bunch of active teens and movements and it takes some effort to monitor it all. 

Lifeguards don't just stare at the water—they're constantly scanning. We're counting heads, grouping families together, noticing where people were a few seconds ago, and watching for anything that seems out of place. Is that child simply swimming underwater, or have they been under just a little too long? Is someone splashing because they're having fun, or because they're in distress? Sometimes the biggest warning sign isn't frantic movement at all—it's no movement. A person who has struck their head, suffered a medical emergency, or quietly slipped beneath the surface may never wave for help.

The more you train, the better your brain becomes at recognizing patterns and spotting subtle changes. Experience teaches you to notice what doesn't belong long before it becomes an emergency.

A perfect example of prevention happened the other day. A group of teens had decided a bench in the swimming area was the perfect launch pad for backflips and cannonballs—even though they weren't supposed to be using it that way; or even be on it. One of the lifeguards repeatedly called out, "Off the bench!" The kids responded with the universal language of teenagers: pretending they couldn't hear.

So it was necessary to change tactics. One guard grabbed the rescue board, paddle out, and simply parked himself on the bench. No room for teens. :)

Problem solved.

The kids immediately found somewhere else to play (This is prevention). Sure, the lifeguard got wet, but we avoided possible injuries. Better yet, sitting on the lifeguard bench with the board gave him a higher vantage point, making it easier to monitor the entire area from the opposite angle while the kids played in a much safer location (One on beach and one way out there on the other end.). Likewise, with the rescue board they could close the gap between the water guard station and the victim faster. Its all about safety.

Sometimes the best rescue is the one you never have to make. And sometimes all it takes is a whistle, a rescue board, and the willingness to become the world's most inconvenient piece of pool furniture.

Lifeguard training sharpens brain dynamics in novices during drowning detection

• The study investigated how lifeguard training influences the brain activity of novice lifeguards while they identify potential drowning victims, focusing on the cognitive processes involved in rapid visual scanning and decision-making.
• Researchers found that structured lifeguard training improved participants' ability to recognize drowning-related cues more accurately and efficiently, suggesting that training enhances perceptual and attentional skills.
• Brain imaging revealed measurable changes in neural dynamics after training, indicating that the brain becomes more efficient at processing visual information associated with aquatic emergencies.
• The findings suggest that even novice lifeguards can develop expert-like cognitive patterns through targeted instruction, potentially improving surveillance effectiveness and reducing response times during rescues.
• The authors conclude that incorporating neuroscience into lifeguard education may help optimize training programs and ultimately improve drowning prevention and public safety outcomes.

Cahart, M. S., Smith, M. S., Sharpe, B. T., Williams, S. C. R., Hill, S., Talbot, J., Grazier, N., Lythgoe, D., & Smith, J. (2025). Lifeguard training sharpens brain dynamics in novices during drowning detection. Safety Science, 191, 106957. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2025.106957

A Few Characteristics of Global Innovative Firms (Play Ball)

(Illustrative Only)

Representing the game
of organizational 
development. 

Innovation is the name of the game, although we do not always play it well. There is a place for innovation, just as there is a place for time-tested traditions and proven methods. The most successful organizations understand when to preserve what works and when to embrace change.

Research consistently shows that innovative organizations differ from those that simply maintain the status quo. Companies that continually adapt and evolve tend to achieve higher levels of performance because they possess greater strategic capacity. They rely on evidence, scientific research, and data-driven decision-making. They seek shared knowledge, encourage collaboration, and connect people, ideas, and disciplines to create new opportunities.

History provides many examples of this pattern. Just as some societies flourished during periods such as the Renaissance while others lagged behind, an organization's ability to innovate is influenced by its culture and the broader environment in which it operates.

By developing effective leadership, expanding knowledge and skills, investing in resources, and creating processes that support innovation, organizations can build a culture of continuous improvement and become stronger, more competitive, and better prepared for the future.

A Global Study of Innovation-Oriented Firms: Dimensions, Practices, and Performance

• The study examined data from 1,265 companies across nine countries to better understand how innovation orientation influences organizational performance on a global scale.
• Organizations with stronger innovation orientations consistently demonstrated higher levels of business performance, reinforcing the importance of innovation as a strategic capability.
• High-performing innovative firms were more likely to use practices such as crowdsourcing, open innovation, design thinking, stage-gate systems, scientific discovery, big data analytics, innovation measurement, and innovation management software.
• Innovation orientation varied significantly across countries and regions, suggesting that national and cultural contexts influence how organizations develop and sustain innovation capabilities.
• The authors conclude that executives should strengthen leadership, knowledge management, organizational resources, and innovation-supportive processes to build an innovation-oriented culture that enhances long-term competitiveness and performance.

Wilson, G. A., Case, T., & Dobni, C. B. (2023). A global study of innovation-oriented firms: Dimensions, practices, and performance. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 187, 122257. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2022.122257

The Cracker Thief on the Beach-Lifeguarding and Beach Zen (Psychophysiological Reactivity)

(Illustrative Only)

To remind us of 
nature. 

The Cracker Thief

This seagull is a cracker thief,
It didn't come from some mystical underwater reef, 
It looks noble, proud and as free as the air, 
a cracker from my fingers this scavenger did tear.
🙃

You're sitting on the beach early in the morning. The sun has been up for just a couple of hours, painting the water with shades of gold. A light breeze brushes across your face, and somewhere in the distance, a seagull lets out its unmistakable squawk.

You close your eyes.

Your heart rate slows. The stress of deadlines, bills, difficult people, tomorrow's problems, and today's endless to-do list begins to drift away with the waves. For just a moment, none of it seems quite so important.

The seagull calls again.

Somehow, that sound reminds you that nature doesn't obsess over performance reviews, inboxes, or whether someone "liked" its latest post. Birds simply fly. Waves simply roll ashore. The sun rises every morning without checking a calendar invitation.

As the seagull glides closer, you begin to appreciate how nature has its own rhythm. It has been taking care of itself for millions of years, and we are part of that same world—even if we've wrapped ourselves in meetings, schedules, passwords, taxes, and the mysterious obligation to own seventeen different charging cables.

You realize that much of what stresses us is socially constructed. Society needs organization, rules, and responsibilities, but perhaps we don't have to carry every one of them every second of every day.

You take a deep breath.

You feel grateful for what you've accomplished, at peace with what remains to be done, and content simply to exist in this beautiful moment.

You open your eyes one last time to admire the beach.

You smile.

You reach for a bite of your favorite concession stand cracker.

At that exact moment, the seagull—apparently having completed graduate school in tactical food acquisition—swoops down, steals the entire cracker, and flies away.

Just like that, your mindfulness lesson becomes a reminder that nature doesn't care whose snack it is.

The beach wins. The seagull wins.

Maybe next time... buy extra crackers!

A Lifeguards Day in Paradise:

Breaking News.....seagull stole little kids cracker. We all agreed "baaad baad Mr. Seagull was hungry" and a smile returned. Other then this calamity it was warm, sunny, light refreshing breeze. Concession stands are open, there was a skateboarding band, lots of people, fishing boats out in the bay, pontoons with people relaxing, and even a musician that came up near the lifeguard hut and played beach music. Yep....nice place. A little Zen listening the waves. Weather was perfect for the visitors and the lifeguards.

The Psychophysiological Reactivity to Beaches vs. Green and Urban Environments: Insights from a Virtual Reality Experiment

• The study examined whether virtual beach, green, and urban environments produce different physiological and psychological responses to stress using a randomized crossover experiment with 164 adult participants.
• Participants experienced two 16-minute virtual reality environments while researchers measured heart rate, heart rate variability, skin conductance, breathing rate, blood pressure, muscle tension, and self-reported stress.
• Beach environments significantly reduced breathing rate and sympathetic nervous system activity (measured by skin conductance) compared with urban and, in some cases, green environments, indicating greater physiological relaxation.
• Participants who reported moderate stress before the experiment experienced greater improvements in mood and perceived stress after exposure to beach environments, while urban environments generally produced less favorable emotional outcomes.
• The findings suggest that coastal environments may provide unique mental health and stress-reduction benefits beyond those offered by other natural settings, supporting the use of beaches as restorative environments for health and well-being.

Hooyberg, A., Michels, N., Roose, H., Everaert, G., Mokas, I., Malina, R., Vanderhasselt, M.-A., & De Henauw, S. (2023). The psychophysiological reactivity to beaches vs. green and urban environments: Insights from a virtual reality experiment. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 91, 102103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2023.102103

Firefighter Fatigue is a Real Risk-Especially for Forest Firefighters

Illustrative Only

Staying up to date on changes in firefighting, new research, and evolving best practices is important for every firefighter. Whether you're a volunteer, part-time, or full-time firefighter, the profession continues to change, and departments across the country are facing new challenges. Beyond recruiting, fatigue can be a big issue when on scene.

The research discussed in the video below highlights one of the most significant issues firefighters face: fatigue. Studies show that extreme fatigue can reduce a firefighter's performance to a level comparable to being intoxicated. That's an important finding because fatigue affects judgment, reaction time, and decision-making—all of which are critical on the fireground.

Many structural fires are brought under control within several hours, but wildland and forest fires are a different story. They can burn for days or even weeks, requiring firefighters to work long shifts under physically demanding conditions. As exhaustion sets in, the risk of injuries, accidents, and even fatalities increases. Fatigue compounds over time, making it easier to make mistakes that could have serious consequences.

This is one reason why recruiting and retaining more firefighters is so important. Departments need enough personnel to rotate crews, reduce fatigue, and keep firefighters safe. Competitive pay, strong community support, and continued investment in technology can all help departments operate more effectively, especially as staffing shortages continue.

If you're interested in supporting the fire service, there is an outstanding volunteer department here in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. They regularly provide public education on topics such as grilling safety, fire prevention, and emergency preparedness. They've also done an excellent job recruiting a new generation of firefighters, bringing in more than a dozen members under the age of 30. For a volunteer department serving several surrounding communities, that's a tremendous accomplishment.

Like many volunteer departments, they continue to need funding for training, specialized equipment such as hydraulic rescue tools (often called the "Jaws"). If you want to support a local UP fire department send a message to the right or email me at muradabel@gmail.com and I will point you in the right direction. 

Gladstone Sailing Boats Near the School (Photography)

While on the way to the beach I snapped a few pics.....

Before my lifeguard shift, I had a few extra minutes, so I drove by the Gladstone Sail School. I had planned to volunteer there last week, but the weather had other ideas—it was storming with lightening, so that didn't happen.

I took these two photos when the water was perfectly calm. Early mornings are one of the best times to be near the water. Sailing might not be great because of low wind that picks up around noon. However, if you're diving, swimming, or just enjoying the shoreline, the lake is usually smooth with very few waves, making it a peaceful time to relax and capture some beautiful scenery.

PS The area needs more lifeguards so consider contacting the YMCA Aquatics Center for training and course options. Around 25+ hours of training and water time. Pool certification and then deep open water rescue certification. You will receive a professional CPR and AED designation.

If you're interested in either of these photos, let me know.

The Gladstone Sail School is open for the season and offers affordable sailing lessons. You can find them on Facebook to learn more or sign up for classes. Volunteers from the Escanaba Yacht Club also help with sailing instruction, making it a great community effort to introduce people of all ages to the sport.

Gladstone Sail 1

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Gladstone Sail 2

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Understanding Hate: Psychology, Society, and the Possibility of Change

 Let us consider both the destructive and the constructive lessons that can be learned about hate.

(Illustrative Only)

This man is teaching the young
to work together to achieve
their generation's goals. 
Hedge each other skills,
learn from the mistakes
prior generations made,
learn from what they have done well,
and be the best generation
they can during a time of
rapid transition and transformation
of our way of life through 
faster technologies and innovation. 
The young generation may 
not see what we see
because their world-time-era
-perception 
is different than ours. As
a new generation comes forward
some of our views will change
and that is a necessary 
part of societal development and 
many founding philosophers
understood that. 

There should be some values
that are cross generational
and codified into every
other law. If there are places
where hate and corruption
are not addressed it is
a violation of those generational
values that supercede the
needs of self-interest of social
groups.

In the Allegory of the Clan—presented as a modern version of Plato's Allegory of the Cave—people become trapped by a false sense of superiority and misperceptions of self (There is a reason why nearly all philosophers-religious and secular-talked about insight into self as a door.). They mistreat others, justify dishonesty, and take advantage of those around them. Systems with weak checks and balances allow self-interest to replace integrity, pushing aside capable and ethical people in favor of those who are more self interested. This is why we should encourage true north perspectives.

The difficult reality is that most people are unlikely to change unless their environment gives them a reason to change. That is one reason societies establish laws against hate-based behavior and discrimination. While such laws are not always perfectly enforced, they establish boundaries for acceptable conduct. Social norms play likely the biggest role. Most people are not ideological extremists; they tend to follow the attitudes and behaviors that become socially accepted (Just like there are a percentage of people who hate there is a percentge of people who are ultruistic and prosocial. It is part of our natural systems.). Different groups with different norms.

History demonstrates how dangerous this can be. Entire societies have justified slavery, genocide, and other forms of oppression at various times in history by constructing narratives that portray hatred as moral or necessary. When they learn, they change, and move forward in societal development. Once hatred becomes woven into public discourse, institutions, or the media, it gradually becomes normalized. That normalization is one of hate's greatest dangers. Freedom of speech is often a strong deterrent because people at their root want collaboration and homeostatisis with their environment and therefore have an interest in managing by shared principles. We learn when we communicate (Keep this connectivity in mind when we discuss economics, exchange, growth, etc.)

There is, however, reason for optimism. Just as a pendulum can swing toward hatred, it can also swing toward understanding and compassion. We can learn to not hate from hate when we are insightful. As people develop new ways of thinking, challenge long-held assumptions, and engage in honest self-reflection, they strengthen new neural pathways while weakening old patterns of prejudice. Research suggests that our brains are capable of adapting, allowing learned biases to diminish over time. Over generations and cultural change indivisibility can overcome divisibility (Hate spreaders seek to slice society for self gain so they use narratives. They strengthen certain negative orientations of thinking.). 

Some hate might be obvious and openly expressed, but most of it seemes to operate below the level of conscious awareness (Feelings of weakness, mental health, etc. lead to mistreating others to protect/hide one's vulnerabilities-some might think of this as a type of mirror. The flavor and manner of the hate tells you about those using it.). People may sincerely believe they are acting fairly while making decisions influenced by unconscious bias, prejudice, fear, or self-interest. Laws, constitutions, professional ethics, and personal oaths are important because they establish standards of behavior. Yet many everyday decisions occur below the threshold of legal accountability, making personal character and self-examination just as important as formal rules.

The encouraging conclusion is that hate is not necessarily permanent. Just as people can learn to hate through repeated experiences and social influences, they can also learn to let go of hate. Through reflection, education, accountability, and meaningful interaction with others, individuals and societies can replace cycles of prejudice with greater understanding and respect.

*The Allegory of the Clan is a philosophical learning thought experiment so take with a grain of salt.

Neural Correlates of Hate

• The study used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to examine brain activity in 17 participants while they viewed the face of someone they hated compared with faces of people toward whom they had neutral feelings.
• Viewing a hated person activated a distinct network of brain regions, including the medial frontal gyrus, putamen, premotor cortex, frontal pole, and medial insula, suggesting that hate has a unique neural signature.
• The intensity of participants' self-reported hatred was positively associated with increased activity in the right insula, right premotor cortex, and right fronto-medial gyrus.
• Unlike romantic love, which suppresses activity in areas involved in critical judgment, hate showed relatively limited deactivation, with only the right superior frontal gyrus exhibiting decreased activity.
• The researchers concluded that although hate and romantic love are emotionally opposite experiences, they share activation in the putamen and insula, suggesting overlapping neural mechanisms related to intense emotional attachment and preparation for action.

Zeki, S., & Romaya, J. P. (2008). Neural correlates of hate. PLOS ONE, 3(10), e3556. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0003556

Great Lakes Investing, Recreational Outdoor Lifestyle, and Luxury Liner American Patriot Visits Escanaba (Photography)

American Patriot
Luxury Liner
in Escanaba. 
July 4th 2026
Art is a hobby and not associated
with any company but its
a pretty ship and a lot of
people around town are 
saying it. Some of us
are getting into the history
of the tourist ships. 🙂

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 The Great Lakes—and communities like Delta County, Michigan—have far more to offer than many people realize. This region is full of opportunities that are often overlooked.

Escanaba is experiencing exciting growth. Downtown infrastructure is being upgraded with new water and utility improvements. Opportunity Zones are present encouraging investment, while our deep-water port, rail connections, major highways, and improving airport continue to strengthen the area's transportation network. Tourism is growing, the marina is thriving, and the community is reconnecting with the global economy.

If you love the outdoors, there's something here for everyone. You can go sailing, scuba diving, explore historic shipwrecks, hike scenic trails, fish, boat, or simply enjoy the beauty of Lake Michigan on one of its beaches. It's an incredible place that has long been an underappreciated oasis.

We're also seeing renewed investment in traditional industries, including wood products, while entrepreneurship continues to gain momentum. If you have a business idea, reach out to the City of Escanaba or the Chamber of Commerce. They can help connect you with resources and opportunities that can turn an idea into reality.

The vessel shown here visited Escanaba over the Fourth of July weekend. With its large sliding glass doors, passengers had spectacular views of the fireworks from nearly every angle. Visitors like these bring new energy to the community, supporting local restaurants, shops, attractions, and businesses.

If you're looking for a unique vacation destination, Escanaba deserves a spot on your list.

And if you're a ship enthusiast, the American Patriot  has an interesting story of its own. Built in 2025 with a capacity of approximately 130 passengers, it represents a new generation of small luxury expedition cruising. Escanaba was one of its featured stops, making the holiday visit especially memorable. You can learn about the American Patriot Ship

The ship offers elegant lounges, cafés, beautiful gathering spaces, and an intimate cruising experience that's very different from the giant ocean liners. If luxury small-ship cruising interests you, it's definitely worth learning more about. Check out the links below to explore the ship and its itinerary.

Great Lakes Investments Strengthen Michigan’s Economy, Environment, and Communities

• The fact sheet highlights how investments in the Great Lakes are improving Michigan's economy, protecting natural resources, and enhancing residents' quality of life through partnerships among federal, state, tribal, local, and private organizations.
• The Great Lakes support more than 800,000 Michigan jobs and contribute billions of dollars annually through manufacturing, fisheries, tourism, boating, ports, and maritime transportation.
• The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), established in 2009, addresses invasive species, contaminated sediments, polluted runoff, wetland restoration, and fish and wildlife conservation while leveraging additional funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
• Research indicates that every federal dollar invested in GLRI projects generates approximately $3.35 in additional regional economic activity, while full implementation of the restoration strategy could produce $80–100 billion in long-term economic benefits.
• As of 2024, Michigan had received funding for 2,377 Great Lakes-related projects, including major investments in clean drinking water, wastewater infrastructure, and environmental restoration projects throughout the state.

Great Lakes Commission. (2026). GLC investment fact sheet: Michigan. https://investments.glc.org