Today's Meditation(s): Letters on Ethics  by Seneca, LXX.11 (Graver) We don't have to wait for a lingering or painful or humiliating death. We are allowed to choose the manner of our death if that is our only option.

Today's Meditation(s): Letters on Ethics  by Seneca, LXX.6-7 (Graver) Not all life is equal. But each person must choose for themselves. You don't get to choose for another. It's always and only a personal choice.   I can choose to exit when I wish. Even though it is a person's choice, it's not something done lightly. Stoics understood that sometimes people are depressed or despondent, mentally ill and not thinking correctly. That's why they instructed that such a choice only be made after examining life and determining what Wisdom, Justice, Courage, Temperance, and Nature allow. But if the time is come, and circumstances are untenable and not to get better, then it is a personal choice and the door is open.

Today's Meditation(s): Letters on Ethics  by Seneca, LXX.4 (Graver) Had my father been lucid, and not Catholic, he would have chosen to die months before he did. He told us often, and in certain terms, that he vehemently did not want to live as an invalid and incompetent. Even in his delerium, I knew he hated it. Had he been able to simply allow himself to die, he would have. But he was always afraid of the mortal sin of not living as long as possible. I hated it. I used to long for him to slip this mortal coil and go on to whatever awaited him. It had to be better than how he was merely existing, with no trace of the man who once shone so brightly left in his eyes. Rest in peace, dad. I love you.

Today's Meditation(s): Letters on Ethics by Seneca, LXIX.4-5 (Graver) Gods but temptation promises so much. And so soon. Have it right now right now right now! And I let myself give in, or, rather, indulge multiple times over. As if I were watching myself do through my eyes while someone else is driving.  I should probably not do those things which weaken my resolve and lead me into temptation. I know what I mean.

Today's Meditation(s): Letters on Ethics by Seneca, LXVIII. 6 (Graver) In my leisure time, examine my life. Find the errors and weaknesses. Work on them. Listen to criticism. Listen to those who will tell me truthfully where I miss the mark. Where I overextend or pull up short. Where I neglect and where I focus too much. Be better.

Today's Meditation(s): Letters on Ethics by Seneca, LXVII.16 (Graver) Even bad things, if required by virtue, should be seen as desirable because, without them, I wouldn't have the chance to exercise my virtue. Does that mean I should seek out tortuous treatment so I can bear and forebear the slings and arrows? No. But I must accept, and welcome , such maladies when they come. And practice what virtues they require with gusto and sincerity.

Today's Meditation(s): Letters on Ethics  by Seneca, LXVII.4 (Graver) To bear and forebear. Acknowledging discomfort and pain is fine — I need not lie about my situation — but virtue asks that I endure it without complaint.  Can I take medicine to help? Of course. Can I go to the doctor or clinic? Hell yeah. Suffering in silence is foolishness. I should not complain about what I must endure, but I can certainly ameliorate what issues I may.

Today's Meditation(s): We read about Heracles and his time with Queen Omphale of Lydia. His punishment for, yet again, flying into an unthinking rage and killing an innocent person.  I find it humorous that it often surprises my kiddo how cruel and capricious Greek gods and heroes can be. He literally stopped and said "Jesus Christ!" when Heracles dropped Iphitus off a wall.

Today's Meditation(s): Letters on Ethics  by Seneca, LXVI.43 (Graver) **** died twelve years ago today. Dad died 10 months ago. Sweet boy, you died so young. My God, you'd be almost 16. In my imagination, you're the perfect brother. Helping your older siblings, mentoring your younger brothers. Playing Ultimate with **** and I every weekend and on a team with ****. And you'd both be even better because you had each other to measure yourselves against. You'd be tall and athletic. Intelligent, diligent, and kind. You'd be tough, but gentle. And everyone would love you. I know it's a perfect fantasy, but I also truly believe it would be closer to the truth than not. 

Today's Meditation(s): Letters on Ethics  by Seneca, LXVI.39 (Graver) From Seneca's prior example: if I am being burned, that is part of Nature. The good in this case is trying to 'bear and forbear' the sensation of pain — acknowledging it but doing my best not to cry out and carry on because of it (though, I admit, I may be unable to fulfill this requirement of Virtue to any high degree of success) — and fight against engaging in any extravagant display because I am being burned which is, as I said, part of Nature.  (Still here after that last sentence? Jolly good!) So sometimes, to be virtuous, I must resist reacting intensely to what is happening.  This is the challenge tomorrow.

Today's Meditation(s): Letters on Ethics  by Seneca, LXVI.25 (Graver) I'm sitting here waiting for Mrs. Student to have a biopsy. Will I love her less should it be cancer? Will I esteem her less if she must have it removed and be "less" than she is now? Of course not. Her body is mere decoraton. I love her, not some poor flesh. She has a virtuous soul. That will not change.

Today's Meditation(s): The Creative Act , Completion (Rubin) Let it go. It's ok. Let it go. Move on. Let it go. But does it mean I never...? Let it go. But no... Let it go. I can't. Let it go. Let it go. Let it go.

Today's Meditation(s): The Creative Act , Completion (Rubin) This feels like part of the Tao of Art: knowing when a work has achieved its goal; following Nature when the path ends as well as when it leads on.

Today's Meditation(s): The Creative Act , Breaking the Sameness (Rubin) I certainly do. That's why I'm investing my time in this book: to challenge myself and look outside of my usual point of view. I know there is more out there than what I have experienced. So much life and wisdom is beyond my measure now and may stay that way forever. So I'm looking to see what else is out there and to examine it as I do my own thoughts and reactions.

Today's Meditation(s): The Creative Act , Breaking the Sameness (Rubin) Take a nap. Catch a buzz. Switch the setting. Change the rhythm. Work on something else. Adopt an opposing point of view. Any of these can help. The hardest part is recognizing I'm butting my head against the wall and stopping.

Today's Meditation(s): The Creative Act , Point of View (Rubin) ...  Where am I going? How has my milieu impacted and directed my development? What experiences can be added to make my point of view better, broader, more capable and discerning? How can I hear the world around me and find more sparks and more inspiration?

Today's Meditation(s): The Creative Act , Point of View (Rubin) I don't desire to make great art, but I'm open to it in the unlikely chance it comes my way. I want to live my life with a little style: to produce a good joke or a bon mot once in a while; to live according to my principles; to be kind to as many people as possible; to be a positive part of my community; to love, protect, and encourage my family and friends. I'll call that great art if I can pull it off.

Today's Meditation: The Creative Act , Momentum (Rubin) Proper planning. I don't do enough of this. I ad lib more than act a part. I've gotten pretty good at it over the years. But what would I be able to do with more planning? Notice I didn't say forethought. I do think about the future. I explore possible outcomes, good and bad, and do make moves to achieve those goals. (Reserve clause in effect.) but it's not step by step planning.

Today's Meditation(s): “Old people are always very impatient with young ones. Fathers always expect their sons to have their virtues without their faults.” I do forget sometimes that my kids don't have the history I do and so don't understand the import of what I'm telling them. What it means to me, with all the layers and connections, shadings and connotations . . . the meaning is different for them. Even if they catch a sense of my earnestness, it just means that they may try harder to get it than otherwise they might.

Today's Mediation: From The Daily Stoic (250210) Practice temperance.  Temper my desires so that I can step off the hedonic treadmill: stop chasing all those unnecessary, unimportant, unfulfilling things which charm me into thinking they are the answer to whatever I lack.

Today's Meditation(s): Two days late. I took the whole weekend off. From everything. Did birthday stuff for my eldest and that was nice. But not much else. Not even reading. Certainly not journaling. Laziness? Or self-care? Depends who's asking, I suppose. Or my mood at the moment. I still need more sleep. Got to start getting to bed earlier. Or quit my job and get up later.... A pointless entry. As are all of them, I fear.

Today's Meditation(s): Mediations , 6.52  Hicks & Hicks "These things are not asking to be judged by you. Leave them alone." I love that. Just shut up. Literally and figuratively. Stop judging things (and people and opinions and everydamnthing) not under my control. Wh6 would someone else need to hear my opinion of their taste? Why should they care? They might , but they needn't. ====== Waterfield Hammond Long, Hays From Farnsworth (unk. translation)

Today's Meditation(s): The Creative Act , Crafting (Rubin) From brainstorming to whittling to action. Throw out everything. See what sticks. Develop those. And don't be single-minded. Diversions are allowed. But do the work that presents itself.

Today's Meditation(s): The Creative Act , Try Everything (Rubin) Be careful of my preconceptions. Expecting something not to work is halfway to it not working . . . before I'm out the gate. I can at least be more open-minded and give more things more of a chance.

Today's Meditation(s): The Creative Act , Experimentation (Rubin)  Letting myself wander is tough. I don't like giving up control like that.*  I like to have a goal I can work toward. But I understand Mr. Rubin's point here: if I am open to experiences, and allow myself some freedom in gathering inspiration and in finding a path, I will almost assuredly discover things I would not in my normal activities. But I fear I would be losing progress I could be making using a goal to aim for. Is it worth it? =====   * In some circumstances, this does not apply.

Today's Meditation(s): The Creative Act , Seeds (Rubin) I do this. I catch an idea or a spark and jump in with both feet. It's so rare, I get overexcited and rush into it. Often, I can make it work, even work well, but this passage gives me pause. What if I'm missing a better, more mature, more authentic creation if I just waited a little while, allowing that germ to grow and develop in my subconciius? To find its own beginning that allows me to find new areas to explore and enjoy?

Today's Meditation(s): The Creative Act , Seeds (Rubin) What is up to me and what is not up to me. Epictetus' primal lesson appears everywhere, when I watch for it. Even in my woo creativity book, they still acknowledge that sometimes, all I can do is my best and, fate willing, I'll catch a fish. Or an idea. A seed.

Today's Meditation(s): The Creative Act , Habits (Rubin) I remember as a kid, I had a goal of perfect competence. If I worked hard, and learned enough, I'd have a proper reaction no matter what the situation. I'd be perfectly able of handling myself regardless of what came up. (Pure hubris, I realized later, but I'm going to cut my younger self some6slack.) Believe it or not, it didn't work out. But, as Coach Wooden stressed, good habits can eliminate errors before they arise. Every reinforcement of proper basics means one more issue I won't have to worry about because it (probably) won't come up. What positive habits do I hold? I try to read and think each day. I play word games and do my Duolingo each day. I (usually) read with my kids (one or more) each day. And the negative? I eat too much. I stress about things not up to me. I don't properly take care of my health. I put off important planning for my future due to inertia and fear. So h...