Woops.  Forgot to do A poem and post today. Anyone notice? Today's Meditation(s): Thoughts: Friendship is a boon in my life.  I've had two close friends for decades now.   A few others have been close, but for reasons I do not understand, they stepped out of my life, never to return.  Given that I was the only constant between these relationships, I must assume it was something about me that they decided need not be in their life anymore.  Since that is not something I can control and, since it lies in the indeterminate land of Indifferents, I've practiced letting it go over the years.  It only bugs me sometimes and not as much anymore as it used to. The two who have been here for me and with me, through thousands of experiences, good and bad, are ones I know I can count on.  And they on me. We trust each other.  Without a doubt, if I heard something bad about either person, I would go to them and tell them.  And I wo...

Pentatonic has Just four syllables, not five. Flabbergasted, me. Today's Meditation(s): Thoughts: The first quote seems like low-hanging fruit, given the state of today's sense of humor and general post-cynic world. (No slight to Pascal, who said this a bit less than 400 years ago.) ===== One of our kids is on the spectrum.  A large part of our work with them has been to help them view others as people , to recognize that all those humans around them have their own feelings and desires and boundaries and preferences .  It's been tough work, but they've been slowly getting better at it over the past few years, including a nice uptick in positive coping behaviors in recent months. (Woohoo!) It's gratifying when they do something that demonstrates that deeper understanding : when they stop and try to back up what they were doing and undo the insult / offense / problem because they caught themselves mid-snafu. I'm anxious to meet who they...

He who controls the Spice is the variety Of life, no parole. Today's Meditation(s): Thoughts: With vitamins and antioxidants for all. Amen. Play ball! I'm in a silly mood today. Time to go out and play. Goodbye.

Your driver is in Y'all's neighborhood. It's close to Midnight. Run. Run. Run! Today's Meditation(s): Thoughts: It's a process — sometimes easier, sometimes harder, sometimes middling — learning to love others. Because that's goodness, right? Following reason, finding that right path that confirms a life of helpfulness and kindness to others. Doing everything with love. A way to generate meaning in my life.

Never miss a good Chance to shut up. Always a Good chance to shut up. Today's Meditation(s): Thoughts: Why on Earth do I sometimes think people want to hear what I want to say? They want to hear their stories, their name, their interests. And I should want to hear them.

Ding ding ding goes the Censer in alter boy's hands. Calling the faithful. Today's Meditation(s): Thoughts: Tolstoy really went after false faith today. All the insecurities that show when someone either knows that their beliefs are bullshit (and so are using them for fun and profit) or doesn't actually understand their beliefs because they were inherited from elders and never examined, never grokked. What does this look like? Incuriousity . They feel that to explore their faith in any depth would be to harm that faith. In their eyes, explanation is damaging so blind faith in the Leader™ is not only required but better than understanding. Intolerance . If people around them do not believe as they do, this is dangerous to the faith. Since there is no comprehension, only obedience to the Leader™, alternate ideas of how to live are anathema. They might pierce the veil of ignorance and steal away the Faithful™. Obstreperousness . They'r...

New month, new format. Hardly a change. Barely an Inconvenience . Yeah. Today's Meditation(s): Thoughts: In a week or so, I'm going to take two of my kids to their first and second, respectively, live music events.  It's a group that has held a position of prominence in our playlist over the years and we're pretty excited to go. I even made a YT playlist of their average setlist for this tour. There were 4 songs out of 12 or 13 that we already knew well. I figured a playlist would help us be familiar with all the music we'll here and thus we'll enjoy the show more. I hope they find a love for live music. Music is one of those life-long passions that never stops giving and can be done at any age. Indeed, some patients with Alzheimers or dementia find they can remember tunes and melodies long after most other things are gone.

But whyyyyyyy? I wannaaaaa! Hush, child. Quiet. Be still now. You're soon blessed enough. Today's Meditation(s): Thoughts: But it's so easily hurt, right? My ego? Too easy for someone to break me with an unkind word or sharp feeling. To react in ways unbecoming. To over commit to folly because I 'gotta get em back!' or 'teach them a lesson!' Wait. I thought Stoicism was supposed to fix me, to cure me of such idiocy. Well, that then becomes a tale of reality v hopes and dreams. I know I'm better than I was when I was young. My temper got me in trouble too often, though usually minor (and the cops rarely got involved). But that doesn't mean I'm yet immune to a bruised self-image. Or that I always manage not to use my ill-chosen words at just the wrong time. However, the more I practice, the more often I'll get it right. Time to be better. ====== As for the second part, I am highly educated, but it's not been until the pa...

Permanent stations. Ever-present reminders Of  ad hoc measures. Today's Meditation(s): I could not be a soldier. Not that I would not care to defend something I love or the people in my community, but you could never, ever convince me this wasn't some fucking racket / beef between some Big Shots. If they have a problem, let them sort it out. Be damned if I'm to shoot at somebody I don't know just to satisfy their ego or greed. Fuck that and fuck them. No.

Suddenly appear Every time, you draw near, oh To be close to me. Today's Meditation(s): All education is self-education.  I'd know so. much. more. if I'd known this from the beginning. Forget stock tips, just let me send THAT  message to my 20-year-old self (and have me believe it) and let's see what happens.

Think! Think damn you! Think! The bomb will explode in thirt.... Lie! It exploded now. Today's Meditation: <<The teachings also say that the mind is reality and the only reality. If this is true, then what happens when we think differently?>> Today's Meditation II: Today's Meditation III: Thoughts: Who is my thoughts? An odd question, that, but isn't that what the first two quotes are saying? And what Tolstoy harps on every other day? Think good thoughts; avoid evil thoughts and you will become good (by not doing evil if nothing else). And how many others since time long past have said this, if not in these exact words? Socrates? Epicurus? Zeno? Epictetus? Buddha? Tolstoy? Dr. Phil?  Ted 'Theodore' Logan? ===== Who is choosing when I make a decision about something? Not who as in 'what person' but as in 'which monkey is driving my bus at the moment'?  Is it lust? Is it gluttony? Is it pride? Is it pr...

Rigid claws sharp scrape, Blood boils in the darkest hate. Have mercy, Jolene.* Today's Meditation: Today's Meditation II: Thoughts: Be kind. A recurring theme here and in my life. And in my children's lives. As I've said before, it's a foundational assumption in everything we do. First, be kind. Then work the problem. And I love the fact that, as I read the second quote, I find that I'm closer to the description of serenity than of boredom. ===== * Idea stolen from this meme.

Drumbeats echo through the halls, 'Round the corners, down the malls. Fretful tattoo of ancient meaning Chanting low High words flow Flashing rhythm of folly's dreaming. Today's Meditation: Today's Meditation II: Today's Meditation III: Thoughts: I must go to bed. I'll finish this in the morning. G'night.

Sweaty nights ahead, Contesting with the dire thoughts That invade my mind. Today's Meditation: Today's Meditation II: Today's Meditation III: Today's Meditation IV: Thoughts: La la lalala let's live for today . And which of you by worrying can add one hour to his life? ~ Luke 12:25 But if I do everything with love, love every person and love every situation, I will make things as best I can at the time.  And that's all anyone can ask.

Fools' ships, blundering Vital missions of justice. Find an even keel. Today's Meditation: Today's Meditation II: Today's Meditation III: Thoughts: Justice is wisdom applied to relationships between people (or between a person and their community or between communities). We have rules / aspirations about such practices: — Be fair. — Be proportionate. — Don't be capricious. — Be kind. / Don't be cruel. — Look for a chance to show mercy. — Give the offender a chance for redemption.* — Set a good precedent to follow in similar situations in the future.* — Motivation matters, in both committing the offense and in passing judgment. — Outcome matters, in both committing the offense and in passing judgment. These rubrics help guide our actions and decisions when someone has transgressed, but there will always be cases where they aren't enough, where no set of static rules will produce justice . In those cases, we have to look de...

Blaze the goddamn trail! To where you know it will run. It will lead us there. Today's Meditation: Today's Meditation II: Thoughts: Some nice resources online are spoiled a bit by a certain amount of gatekeeping 'no true Greeksman' activity.  Though I try to let it slide, because I know wishing for a world without pedantic, nitpick people is impossible. I much prefer Seneca's treatment. If it's good, it's good; no need to try and discount it because it's not on your list of pre-approved sources / ideas.

Forever freeing waves Across gilded field lay sun's Shadow-sundered rays! Today's Meditation: Today's Meditation II: Today's Meditation III: Today's Meditation IV: Thoughts: Truth is mine.  [ My favorite version of Seneca's "Whatever is true, is my own." (12.11)] That's why you will see a variety of sources in the 'Meditations' sections of my daily posts. Why on Earth would I forgo some bit of wisdom just because a non-Stoic sage said it?  I'm not a philosophical purist. Even the Stoics knew no one could ever know everything, no one can actually be a Stoic Sage. We all strive to be the best we can. If someone who is otherwise a freaking nutball happens to say something that is distilled, purified, crystallized, gospel truth . . . you're damn right I'm going to take it and make it my own. I can still think the rest of the person's bullshit is bullshit while marveling at the sin...

A theme recurring Makes my cheeks not dry today. It's not for sharing. Today's Meditation: Today's Meditation II: Thoughts: Tolstoy echoes Stoic thought in the first quote, though Seneca might have called them phantasia rather than lies.  Withholding assent from sudden passions, and from suspect judgments, are both firmly established Stoic teachings. And, if Tolstoy means longer-term passions, the Stoics (and the Buddhists) also tell us that desire leads to suffering.  The less I want, the easier it is to be satisfied and happy. As for the other, I'm pretty lenient with myself. Except for one thing.

In layman's terms, it's Sesquipedalian woo. Speak straight and simply. Today's Meditation: Today's Meditation II: Thoughts: I like big words and I cannot lie.  You other 'sophers can't deny That when virtue walks in with  a highly logical and well thought out haste And a sound thing in your face  You get sprung . Why do I ever comment online? It's never necessary. Seriously, I've been stopping myself more and more from commenting lately. Generally, there's only one specific group where I participate. Other than that, no much at all.  I think that may be a sign of improving mental health. I thinks it's also helped immensely that I've not really watched the news (on purpose) in 15 years.

What is pure flavor? Offering the essence of Soul deep satiety. Today's Meditation: Today's Meditation II: Today's Meditation III: Thoughts: I'm hungry. Can you tell from the faux-ku?  Anticipation of Thai yumminess. But it's never as good as I wish. Or, worse, it is good, but I fail to appreciate it. I let myself get distracted and find three-quarters of the dish gone without it registering. This is a chance to practice mindfulness, to be truly present in the here and now. <insert it few hours here> Aaaaaaaand I failed. I did have some moments of attention, but not the satisfying enjoyment of full submersion to the experience.

Desire grows and grows, Pinocchio's limber prose, Or goes down in flames. Today's Meditation: Today's Meditation II: Today's Meditation III: Thoughts: Desire, in today's snippets. How desire builds upon itself and the truest happiest is found in the fewest and simplest wants. It's easy to satisfy someone who doesn't want anything. They an be satisfied all the time. And satisfaction is a component of happiness, of the good life. Every additional want or desire is a point of anxiety, of worry that I won't get XYZ. Maybe, by extension, a worry about status. They'll have more than me. I'm not as good a provider. ( Want  encompasses intangibles like reputation and status.) Also, my time and resources are still limited. More desires equal additional opportunity costs. If I can still gain only 10 widgets or honors in a given time period, then wanting 12 means I had to choose 2 to forgo. Wanting 100 would mean 'mi...