211225 What I learned in my studies this morning 2

Christmas day frenzy

Paper flying ev'rywhere. 

But wait! There's one more! 

 
Daily Stoic:

I'm pretty good about work / life balancing. I recognized a long time ago that "It's a job, not a jail," and have, at least fairly successfully, divorced my self-worth from my employment. This has allowed me to avoid the stereotypical problems of overwork and underplay: burnout and stagnation; depression and anger;  frustration and envy and all of the other negative emotions that come from  killing myself for a job I mistakenly let become a central part of my identity. 

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So last night, I was with my extended family having Christmas dinner and opening presents, and it struck me how incredibly, insanely, incomprehensively blessed we are. 

We had a dozen people who live overly comfortable lives, eating sumptuous food prepared by skilled cooks, connected through sharing interesting and touching stories from our lives showing common values and backgrounds,  amid secure housing and reliable transportation, most enjoying remarkably good health. Secondarily, we also had a ton of presents for each and every one.

Were an emperor of old to see my good fortune, he would have nothing better to offer. 

Were the majority of people on the planet, through all of history, to see my good fortune, almost all would see bounty beyond their imaginings.

The most fortunate fortune of all? I realize it. 

Today's Meditation:

Today's Meditation II: