The journey could be The aim of the whole shebang. If I plan it right. Today's Meditation(s): On my journey through life, being a good person along the way is my focus.  If I take care of the little things — if I'm kind and generous and love others and live in accordance with Nature — the final destination will take care of itself.

I was exhausted, Drained of all my energy. I'll read mañana..... Today's Meditation(s): Been a while since I just completely missed a day.  Guess I went to bed before I remembered to do my reading and writing. When I follow Nature and practice virtue . . . When I am kind and gentle and loving to all . . . When I leave an old vice in the dust behind me as I go . . . When I experience a moment of insight into some bit of wisdom . . . These are moments that no one can take from me.  They will always be good.

Focus on vitals; Primary targets only. Take some pressure off. Today's Meditation(s): A great passage from Marcus today about the relative desireability of [mundane reward] v [moral principle].  Guess which wins? But it's true: when I think about it, I do feel better when I do good.  When I help someone. Or when I am honest when I might have lied to my advantage. Or when I study some bit of wisdom. Or when I experience some new insight. So yeah, I too often indulge physical pleasures but, when I remember to hold myself to the higher standard, and when I don't rationalize myself into ignoring what I know is true to feed my monkey mind, I like it better. I like me better. Science is a tool, not an answer. It can be useful, but it isn't the end in itself.  Living in accordance with Nature is the goal. Living with wisdom, justice, courage, and temperance and being useful to the human community are natural consequences if I do that first part righ...

It's not a contest. We can all win. Be better. Let's all help each other. Today's Meditation(s): It's not a contest. I won't win extra points if I 'best' you in the wisdom Olympics. You won't get 'a better seat in heaven' if you understand something I don't. It's a journey.  If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. Inner happiness remains for the enlightened regardless of what happens.  I'd sell my soul to achieve that. (/s)

Stoic displays of Emotion are tools to urge The crowd to action. Today's Meditation(s): If I do not feel harmed, I am not harmed.  Change your mind, change your reality. The more I can forgive, understand, tolerate, and ignore, the happier I will be. But but but . . . people will just walk all over you! No. That's not what that means. Failing to be offended by what someone says doesn't mean I must do nothing.  Failing to get angry with someone who disappointed me doesn't mean I won't fix the problem and take steps to prevent future ones. Rather, it means that I can act to counter those things without letting the monkey drive the bus . Although not exactly accurate, a useful rule of thumb goes: Neo-cortex = human brain Limbic system = monkey brain Cerebellum = lizard brain The Neo-cortex controls rational thought, speaking and other higher brain functions. The Limbic System controls emotions and a whole lot more. The Cerebellum controls movement and action. Technic...

Secret smile runs wild, Patron of a lovely face Full of verve and life. Today's Meditation(s): It's tough to be on all the time, though, right? But there's a difference between wasting time and purposefully recharging your batteries. I can look to safeguard how I spend my time while also taking prudent steps against burnout. If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go with others. It's easier with help, but if there's none to be had . . . .

Patient afterthoughts Sift through justifications. Hindsight always, right? Today's Meditation(s): Starting from a place of love is my goal.  And yet I lose sight of it so damn often in my day-to-day. I've believed wholeheartedly this for years — I've practiced it for years (when I remembered) — but I've not come closer to making it the automatic, default setting for how I approach others. I've still got a lot of work to do.

Those flashing eyes — dropt Beneath the higher 'rizons — Flare bright, beautiful. Today's Meditation(s): The more satisfied I am, the less I need. On one hand, I know this well and am well contented with my life. On the other hand, I still buy things I don't need, eat things I'm not hungry for, and pursue prizes which are not valuable. Siddhartha taught me about this. About how teachings can only point the way. I must travel on my own. If I stay always to the path laid down by others, I will never find my personal destination. It disrupts, upsets. Maligns intent and character. Short circuits logic and temperance. Looses a thousand words which cannot be called back. Wounds self and others. And almost always for ego.

Time for rest, respite For all the times I didn't. I need quiet days. Today's Meditation(s):

Lightnin a bottle Spreading the message to my Eyes. And headache is. Today's Meditation(s): I'm very proud of how much I know that I don't know. Mr. Humble. That's me. Can't touch this. Seriously though, it wasn't until I started thinking I  really knew something about life that I understood that, while I know much more than I did in the past, I've not taken a first true step. I've made some preparations for that step, that transition. Someday, I hope to, I might be able to, if I keep learning and practicing and get lucky. Amen. Indeed. Hallelujah. Follow your heart is fine but take your brain with you.

I've nothing to say. Did ya hear the one about The philosopher? Today's Meditation(s): Good night, moon.

Today's Meditation(s): This is me. To my potential detriment, I tend to look for, and see, the good in others. I know there are bad actors out there — dealt with some, known others second-hand — but my basic impulse is to like and trust and try to love. I prefer it this way. Only in the present is anything under my control, and, in any given instant, that's a very small subset of everything about.... Thankfully, it's the most important few things which could be. Edit 230928:

Another change today. Simplify simplify simp. Wait. What? That's not what . . . Today's Meditation(s): I've come to really love my daily studies. Especially on those days when I get to do a deeper dive into one of my meatier manuals. My wife and I will be going on a Big Vacation in 2024 and I keep this and another quote from Seneca forefront in my mind when I think about it. A change of character, not a change of air, is what you need . . . .  And if you want to know why all this running away cannot help you, the answer is simply this: you are running away in your own company. You have to lay aside the load on your spirit. Until you do that, nowhere will satisfy you . (Moral Letters, 28.1-2) I need to find peace within myself if I want to find it anywhere on our journey. That and bring a good book. I mentioned something along these lines a while back. Wondering why it's always just assumed that people understand, through direct experience, one...

Such a mammoth word: Responsibility. So . . . Full. Kindly regard. Today's Meditation(s): Thoughts: Do for myself what I can do for myself. Delegate intelligently and responsibly. Be self-reliant. Use division of labor. No contradiction involved. All can be true. Just because I CAN split logs for firewood doesn't mean I should. It's worth more to me to use that time doing something else while the fella with the automatic splitter does the work in exchange for some part of my life as represented by the money I am willing to give up for it. I behave according to my preferences. Then, on other occasions, my preference will be exactly for the meditative physical drone of the ax. Or for the exercise of it to benefit my body. Or both. I can realize my limitations, physical and mental, and work within them to do what I need to do. Consulting experts when necessary. Partitioning work when needed. Picking up the tools myself as I can.

Twenty-one thirteen Scores distractifying us. No shirt, shylock. Nice. Today's Meditation(s): Thoughts: And a rallying we go. It took a week — it got bad — it was touch and go — but now we're approaching STP. I think I need to take a week off work. I often wish that, but I'm sorta thinking I might really need a day or two to relax. A bit of self care. I've got enough PTO saved up, I could do it. It's just whether I want to pull the trigger or not. And I won't. I know I won't. But I asked. So there's that. Done deal.

They are all  — Infinite knowledge. Those who enjoy suffering. Mind precedes mental. — mind-wrought. Today's Meditation(s): Thoughts: If I choose not to be harmed, I am not harmed. Harm is mind-wrought. If I choose to indulge in passions, self-chosen destruction, a life of the child-people, I delay my progress. If I fail to put kindness first, I lose my focus, I stop seeing people first. I go through life without the love I need to feel for my people.

He saw my beginning. I'll see his end — seeing age win its patient war — just as he and his father before. Today's Meditation(s): Thoughts: What's the term for accidental prescience? I tripped across the quote up there as I looked randomly though one of my books today. It's one of those coincidences in life that we wish were meaningful in something other than a subjective way. But I'm allowed to give it that subjective meaning if I want to. So I do.

Limping through life, tired. Kinda doesn't want to stay. Will he stay or go? Today's Meditation(s): Thoughts: I may be tested on this soon. More paternal health issues. I'm practicing my Premeditatio malorum , preparing for the inevitable, though still unscheduled, event. Thinking through how it will play out. Wondering what my best actions would be. Planning how to both help my mom and siblings and to process my own feelings. I'm torn. I love my dad. I want him to be here for my mom, my children. I also know he's miserable. Always in pain. Becoming more confused. Worried he's going to end up like others we know who lost their mind much more comprehensively. I just want him to be at peace.

Playful conversing  Trust and admit, love and hope Making a breakthrough. Today's Meditation(s): Thoughts: Gotta say, that last one's got me going. It's gonna take a while for that one tomorrow sink in. If ever. The first two, however, make easy sense to me. It's harder to live in harmony, to add to the good in the world.  Rudeness is easy. Politeness is needed. Crudeness is easy. Manners are needed. Selfishness is easy. Charity is needed. Cruely is easy. Kindness is needed. I need to be more mindful of where I can do better. And then do it.

Take the time, master The inner realms, strengthen and Sign treaties, have peace. Today's Meditation(s): Thoughts: A mixed bag of sayings from Tolstoy today. Spiritual improvement, service, and truth. Not a bad combination. Once again, I'm with my dad in the hospital. More tests. More waiting  More theories. More confusion. No answers. It's a trying time as we balance his desire ( I want to go home! ) v what is needed (an answer to what is troubling him;  any answer). He's so tired of the hospital and I don't blame him. It sucks being trapped in a bed, worried about mortality, and bored out of your mind.