We're in Heather's Pretend World today, and I will be riding on the coattails of the Oscar hoopla...total parody, of course...but not really.
First of all, the Rev. Fred Phelps would be presenting this award because he may be one person in the world that I detest.
Here goes:
Rev Fred: And in the category of "Worst Day Ever", the award goes to...March 14, 2011.
***Massive applause***
March: Oh my goodness! What an honor! Well, first, let's thank the Academy, and Satan, and The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. But really, I wouldn't even have this award if it were not for one person: Heather!
Because of that damned git William Shakespeare and his "Et tu, Brute?" and "Beware the Ides of March" BS, nobody cares nor remembers the 14th of March. And it's a crying shame.
However, I suspect it will be several years before Heather forgets ME...March 14th, 2011.
The day started off poorly. Heather was on a week-long Spring Break, so the odds were rather stacked against me, I daresay. But then, in the morning, her husband points out to her a survey administered by an online group. The question? "If you were the Superintendent in your school district, what would you change?" Of course, the husband tells her not to waste her time reading it, and that is where the avalanche began. Of course she read it and become promptly furious at the ignorance of the respondents.
I really could not have tapped into a better wellspring of negativity.
Heather takes all things education very personally, and this particular survey hit an especial nerve, because one of the frequent posters is a student of Heather's. While he said nothing against her personally, he committed several errors in logic and reasoning. Because she considered him to be an articulate, intelligent student, she was sorely disappointed. In fact, I overheard her saying to her husband, "I've just lost a little faith in young people today."
Not to toot my own horn, but how many days in March can brag about being able to accomplish that??
So, all of a sudden, the morning was looking pretty bright and chipper for yours truly. Then, while Heather was out running various errands, her iPod was thefted from her minivan! Does it get any more better? Then her husband (because she was too wrung out to do it! Brilliant!) was forced to spend several minutes on the phone with Apple and the police. It's utterly likely that she'll never get it back!
However, despite this truly awesome day of mine, there are dark clouds looming. Heather's naturally buoyant nature might perhaps get her through this difficult day. She'll remember the "People, Not Things" mantra from her friend and be able to relinquish her iPod. She will heed the wise words of another wise friend who reminds her to "ignore the idiots of the world".
Ultimately, my fear is that all my good works of the last 12 hours will be undone. But, I can't let that dampen my spirits, dear audience...so I will just try to ride this wonderful March 14 out the best I can!
Again, thank you! Thank you!
14 March 2011
22 February 2011
For Lack Of Anything Better...
As of late, I have been uninspired in more ways than one. My new job as a long-term sub starts next week - I've been bidding adieu to my extra leisure time. No better time for a change of pace...
I don't believe I've shared a ton of writing here before, but as it's a 'Random Thoughts' blog, I do believe I can, should, and will.
I attended my library's weekly writing group tonight, and we always start the session with a brief writing exercise in which we write a piece based on three slips of paper freshly chosen from a index card box. The slips contain words or phrases that must be worked into the piece...here was mine tonight...
***By the way, don't copy this without my permission or steal and try to pass it off as your own, because then I'll have to hunt you down and beat you with your own ripped off limbs.***
The small sleepy seaside village of Hampton was inhabited by good, hardworking, salt-of-the-earth folk. Most of the villagers rose with the sun, fed the chickens, milked the cows, swept the front stoop, stoked the fires, and generally prepared their households for the day ahead. The glint of the ships in the bay would bring the traffic of goods and trade business to Hampton, and the small burg would soon bustle happily with merchant activity and more.
Like clockwork, except more reliable, the entire village would close down at the noon hour, so that men toting pitchforks, bags of potatoes or gold could return home for a hearty luncheon with their families. Children were dismissed promptly at the school bell and they sprinted home, books or boxing gloves in hand, to the smell of bread baking or stew simmering on the hearth.
So it was like this every day. Dinnertime followed the same pattern: shops and vendors, public buildings and businesses would halt operations at five o'clock, and all townspeople, regardless of where they were or what they were engaged in, would wind their way home to their dinners.
As the sun burned a dull orange in the western sky, a few oil lamps would flicker in windows here and there, but not for long, because Hampton's residents were quite familiar with the old adage "a long day follows a short night". Thus, at the onset of complete night-darkness, every man, woman, and child in the village carried themselves to their beds.
To outsiders, this routine may have seemed monotonous, mundane...so inexcusably boring as to not ever be endured...to live every day like the one before and the one after.
But to the villagers, the days brought a life of comfort, of familiarity and they cherished it, in fact, they fiercely protected it. Because they knew that day would eventually come when their quiet, happy, contented lives would catapult into a violent, unexplainable chaos.
The solar eclipse would be occurring soon. A day and night of madness would then be upon them.
I don't believe I've shared a ton of writing here before, but as it's a 'Random Thoughts' blog, I do believe I can, should, and will.
I attended my library's weekly writing group tonight, and we always start the session with a brief writing exercise in which we write a piece based on three slips of paper freshly chosen from a index card box. The slips contain words or phrases that must be worked into the piece...here was mine tonight...
***By the way, don't copy this without my permission or steal and try to pass it off as your own, because then I'll have to hunt you down and beat you with your own ripped off limbs.***
The small sleepy seaside village of Hampton was inhabited by good, hardworking, salt-of-the-earth folk. Most of the villagers rose with the sun, fed the chickens, milked the cows, swept the front stoop, stoked the fires, and generally prepared their households for the day ahead. The glint of the ships in the bay would bring the traffic of goods and trade business to Hampton, and the small burg would soon bustle happily with merchant activity and more.
Like clockwork, except more reliable, the entire village would close down at the noon hour, so that men toting pitchforks, bags of potatoes or gold could return home for a hearty luncheon with their families. Children were dismissed promptly at the school bell and they sprinted home, books or boxing gloves in hand, to the smell of bread baking or stew simmering on the hearth.
So it was like this every day. Dinnertime followed the same pattern: shops and vendors, public buildings and businesses would halt operations at five o'clock, and all townspeople, regardless of where they were or what they were engaged in, would wind their way home to their dinners.
As the sun burned a dull orange in the western sky, a few oil lamps would flicker in windows here and there, but not for long, because Hampton's residents were quite familiar with the old adage "a long day follows a short night". Thus, at the onset of complete night-darkness, every man, woman, and child in the village carried themselves to their beds.
To outsiders, this routine may have seemed monotonous, mundane...so inexcusably boring as to not ever be endured...to live every day like the one before and the one after.
But to the villagers, the days brought a life of comfort, of familiarity and they cherished it, in fact, they fiercely protected it. Because they knew that day would eventually come when their quiet, happy, contented lives would catapult into a violent, unexplainable chaos.
The solar eclipse would be occurring soon. A day and night of madness would then be upon them.
08 February 2011
Conversations Are Water For The Psyche
The title of today's blog comes from an epiphany I had yesterday.
The phenomenon itself is old hat - I've been experiencing it for years, but the subsequent 'ah-ha' and 'oh no' occurred very recently.
Monday morning, I awoke rather sloggishly (it being a Monday, following a Sunday when I'd stuffed myself with a ridiculous amount of high-carb, high-fat, high-sugar, high-evil foods). My digestive system wreaked havoc on my sleep pattern the entire night, and it stands to reason that I woke up feeling like monkey poo. This, in addition, is also on top of the general Monday morning manicness the Bangles sung about all those years ago.
In short, I was riding pretty low in the El Camino of Positivity. I got through my first class of the day at eight, and then bopped over to my other teaching job, where I become engaged in a great conversation with a fellow colleague. From there, I was skipping on air (eat that, Hallmark). I was positive, I was chipper, nothing could touch me then.
A 180 in my temperament? Just because of one ten-minute conversation?
I might have passed it off as a fluke, had it not been for the fact that it has happened to me before. I can recall times I've felt tired, down...then I go off to a committee meeting, work (sometimes), or tea with a friend - and suddenly, I feel rejuvenated. Positive. Alive.
It's a great thing - interacting with people. For me, it's a necessity, absolutely vital thing...that is what I've learned about myself. I suppose this is why my forays into stay-at-momdom have failed. Or why I seemed to change jobs or aspects of it about every five years.
So, when I talk about infusing more positivity into my life, part of that means engaging in more of those uplifting, meaningful conversations. Good stuff.
But...shortly after the 'ah-ha'...was the 'oh no'. Suppose there are people currently in my life that I do not have these uplifting, meaningful conversations with? Suppose that most of my interactions with them are downers and I usually end up irritated or worse...and at best, I feel exactly the same as I did when we first began talking?
But suppose I just can't cut out these people as easily as one might do with an acquaintance or slight friend? Suppose they are people terribly close to me and to cut them out would be to tear apart the strings that hold many, many others together?
It's a bit unbearable to think about, actually. But, now that I'm aware of the effect, I can't unknow it, and so just suffering it for the rest of my life is rather unbearable as well.
Now accepting: Tried-and-true strategies, readings, or advice to combat this particular concern: to restructure my negative interactions so that they become positive ones.
Tall order!
The phenomenon itself is old hat - I've been experiencing it for years, but the subsequent 'ah-ha' and 'oh no' occurred very recently.
Monday morning, I awoke rather sloggishly (it being a Monday, following a Sunday when I'd stuffed myself with a ridiculous amount of high-carb, high-fat, high-sugar, high-evil foods). My digestive system wreaked havoc on my sleep pattern the entire night, and it stands to reason that I woke up feeling like monkey poo. This, in addition, is also on top of the general Monday morning manicness the Bangles sung about all those years ago.
In short, I was riding pretty low in the El Camino of Positivity. I got through my first class of the day at eight, and then bopped over to my other teaching job, where I become engaged in a great conversation with a fellow colleague. From there, I was skipping on air (eat that, Hallmark). I was positive, I was chipper, nothing could touch me then.
A 180 in my temperament? Just because of one ten-minute conversation?
I might have passed it off as a fluke, had it not been for the fact that it has happened to me before. I can recall times I've felt tired, down...then I go off to a committee meeting, work (sometimes), or tea with a friend - and suddenly, I feel rejuvenated. Positive. Alive.
It's a great thing - interacting with people. For me, it's a necessity, absolutely vital thing...that is what I've learned about myself. I suppose this is why my forays into stay-at-momdom have failed. Or why I seemed to change jobs or aspects of it about every five years.
So, when I talk about infusing more positivity into my life, part of that means engaging in more of those uplifting, meaningful conversations. Good stuff.
But...shortly after the 'ah-ha'...was the 'oh no'. Suppose there are people currently in my life that I do not have these uplifting, meaningful conversations with? Suppose that most of my interactions with them are downers and I usually end up irritated or worse...and at best, I feel exactly the same as I did when we first began talking?
But suppose I just can't cut out these people as easily as one might do with an acquaintance or slight friend? Suppose they are people terribly close to me and to cut them out would be to tear apart the strings that hold many, many others together?
It's a bit unbearable to think about, actually. But, now that I'm aware of the effect, I can't unknow it, and so just suffering it for the rest of my life is rather unbearable as well.
Now accepting: Tried-and-true strategies, readings, or advice to combat this particular concern: to restructure my negative interactions so that they become positive ones.
Tall order!
03 February 2011
A Wee Early For Valentine's Day
Most of the time, Streamers, this upcoming holiday of lovers tends to pass me by in an uneventful fashion.
After all...
1. Pink is my favorite color, no matter what day of the year.
2. I resent the overcommercialization of chocolate, as I can really no longer indulge in its sugary goodness like I used to.
3. While I love flowers (in their natural environment), I'm not much for receiving them on February 14th.
4. I don't really expect my husband to shell out two months' worth for diamonds, only for me to lose them down the kitchen drain (it doesn't matter where, the material point is that I would lose it at some point, as sure as the sun rises in the east).
In an act of self-preservation, I usually pooh-pooh the holiday and pretend it's not important. However, the few years my husband has been stupid enough to heed my declaration of "let's not do anything for Valentine's Day", I realize that in fact, I do care and I do, so very desperately, want to celebrate the Love Day...and I want to be treated like a Goddess....and smothered in chocolate and dipped in diamonds...or dipped in chocolate and smothered in diamonds...or both.
Anyway, I was reading this article on Yahoo! called "Six Mistakes to Avoid on Valentine's Day". I know, it's ridiculous, right? Just another mixed message - we can't afford to spend beacoup dollars on our loved ones, but don't even think about buying a damn stupid stuffed animal for him/her (Mistake #4). Or flowers (#5). Or a store-bought Hallmark card (#1).
All I know is this: it takes two to tango, to efficiently plant a tomato garden, to make a baby, etc...and thus, it takes two to properly celebrate Valentine's Day.
Hence, Exhibit A:
1. I have procured child care arrangements for Saturday, February 12 (from five to nine p.m. we will be free...FREE AT LAST, THANK GOD ALMIGHTY FREE AT LAST...)
2. I have a great idea for dinner that does not involve overpaying for breaded chicken breast.
3. My husband very surreptitiously, but excitedly, snuck something into the house today which he says is part of my Valentine's Day present...but I have reservations, as the last I knew, he was coming home from the gas station.
See what I mean? No false hopes, expectations, or lame letdowns...just pure joint awesomeness. And, if this Valentine's Day is totally lame, then who's to blame?
Both of us.
And that's love, friends.
After all...
1. Pink is my favorite color, no matter what day of the year.
2. I resent the overcommercialization of chocolate, as I can really no longer indulge in its sugary goodness like I used to.
3. While I love flowers (in their natural environment), I'm not much for receiving them on February 14th.
4. I don't really expect my husband to shell out two months' worth for diamonds, only for me to lose them down the kitchen drain (it doesn't matter where, the material point is that I would lose it at some point, as sure as the sun rises in the east).
In an act of self-preservation, I usually pooh-pooh the holiday and pretend it's not important. However, the few years my husband has been stupid enough to heed my declaration of "let's not do anything for Valentine's Day", I realize that in fact, I do care and I do, so very desperately, want to celebrate the Love Day...and I want to be treated like a Goddess....and smothered in chocolate and dipped in diamonds...or dipped in chocolate and smothered in diamonds...or both.
Anyway, I was reading this article on Yahoo! called "Six Mistakes to Avoid on Valentine's Day". I know, it's ridiculous, right? Just another mixed message - we can't afford to spend beacoup dollars on our loved ones, but don't even think about buying a damn stupid stuffed animal for him/her (Mistake #4). Or flowers (#5). Or a store-bought Hallmark card (#1).
All I know is this: it takes two to tango, to efficiently plant a tomato garden, to make a baby, etc...and thus, it takes two to properly celebrate Valentine's Day.
Hence, Exhibit A:
1. I have procured child care arrangements for Saturday, February 12 (from five to nine p.m. we will be free...FREE AT LAST, THANK GOD ALMIGHTY FREE AT LAST...)
2. I have a great idea for dinner that does not involve overpaying for breaded chicken breast.
3. My husband very surreptitiously, but excitedly, snuck something into the house today which he says is part of my Valentine's Day present...but I have reservations, as the last I knew, he was coming home from the gas station.
See what I mean? No false hopes, expectations, or lame letdowns...just pure joint awesomeness. And, if this Valentine's Day is totally lame, then who's to blame?
Both of us.
And that's love, friends.
29 January 2011
Seriously, World Leaders, Read This Book!
Okay, so I'm reading More's "Utopia", right? Hands down, this is the best line of the whole book, IMHO:
"...they [the Utopians] never enter into an alliance with any state. They think leagues are useless things and believe that if the common ties of humanity do not knit men together, the faith of promises will have no great effect."
The common ties of humanity!
I have no idea what this means for mankind or the state of the world's affairs; I just know that I am touched by the phrasing.
Now, on to perhaps the most thought-provoking passage of the book. Or, at least, here at Chez Nelson, the most conversation-inducing.
First of all, religion in Utopia is purely individual - everyone believes what they want, in who they want...although most of them acknowledge a Divine Essence (not a man, not tangible, not even visualizable). Huge, beautiful temples exist all across the island, but they are bereft of any particular imagery of "God", because all religions and spiritualities come to worship there - and everyone can then free to imagine the Divine Essence in whatever form they wish. Mind-blowing, yes!? Can you imagine implementation of this particular concept/philosophy in America? Wow.
But, here's the biggie: Utopians do not grieve when one of their own dies. Death is to be celebrated, because it is a time of joyous transition. Going to "God" (Divine Essence, etc.) cheerfully when He calls you is worth exultation. On the other hand, Utopians are very horror-struck and disdainful at those who try to drag their own demise out - they see it as a very disrespectful way to meet the Maker.
This passage impelled Brent and I to think about the concept of death in our culture. Many, many people fear dying and countless others try to prolong it for as long as possible. Scientific and medical technologies have helped us along in that sense, and so, here's the ethical bugaboo: Should we knock it off with the cures, vaccines, treatments for all of our diseases and whatnot? Because it deliberately flouts the natural way of the universe?
There's no black or white answer, and even I am still undecided. I do like the dignity factor, however, and that we spend way too much time mourning loss than we do celebrating journeys.
I did go so far as to state that when I have the first indication that it is time for me to leave this planet, I will go without so much as a fight. Brent agreed with me, to a point: it depends, he stated, on when that time is. When he's seventy (maybe even sixty), then yeah, he'll desist. But, he said, if it's just a few years from now, he'll want to fight to live. Deliberately flouting the authority of the universe. *collective gasp* Nevertheless, I can see where he's coming from.
This turn in the dialogue led to another interesting concept: fear of the unknown. Who knows really what awaits us on the other side? It could be a glorious Heaven/Summerland/Eden or it could be eternal darkness. The fear of this unknown leads most of us to flail desperately at the end our lives, even if maybe the quality isn't that great. Because we know what's here, we are reluctant to give that knowledge up for a trip to a place we have no idea about.
Not that it's bad, of course. I mean, after all, it is human nature. But worth thinking about.
To reiterate: All World Leaders - I know I'm just a measly, inconsequential English major and all, and yes, it's great you all read Plato, and 'Beowulf' and Machiavelli...and yes, you should read Shakespeare and Jane Austen and the Bible. But honestlyseriouslywithallmyheart, you all really, really should read 'Utopia'.
None of the others I mentioned can touch modern-day situations as much as this book can.
"...they [the Utopians] never enter into an alliance with any state. They think leagues are useless things and believe that if the common ties of humanity do not knit men together, the faith of promises will have no great effect."
The common ties of humanity!
I have no idea what this means for mankind or the state of the world's affairs; I just know that I am touched by the phrasing.
Now, on to perhaps the most thought-provoking passage of the book. Or, at least, here at Chez Nelson, the most conversation-inducing.
First of all, religion in Utopia is purely individual - everyone believes what they want, in who they want...although most of them acknowledge a Divine Essence (not a man, not tangible, not even visualizable). Huge, beautiful temples exist all across the island, but they are bereft of any particular imagery of "God", because all religions and spiritualities come to worship there - and everyone can then free to imagine the Divine Essence in whatever form they wish. Mind-blowing, yes!? Can you imagine implementation of this particular concept/philosophy in America? Wow.
But, here's the biggie: Utopians do not grieve when one of their own dies. Death is to be celebrated, because it is a time of joyous transition. Going to "God" (Divine Essence, etc.) cheerfully when He calls you is worth exultation. On the other hand, Utopians are very horror-struck and disdainful at those who try to drag their own demise out - they see it as a very disrespectful way to meet the Maker.
This passage impelled Brent and I to think about the concept of death in our culture. Many, many people fear dying and countless others try to prolong it for as long as possible. Scientific and medical technologies have helped us along in that sense, and so, here's the ethical bugaboo: Should we knock it off with the cures, vaccines, treatments for all of our diseases and whatnot? Because it deliberately flouts the natural way of the universe?
There's no black or white answer, and even I am still undecided. I do like the dignity factor, however, and that we spend way too much time mourning loss than we do celebrating journeys.
I did go so far as to state that when I have the first indication that it is time for me to leave this planet, I will go without so much as a fight. Brent agreed with me, to a point: it depends, he stated, on when that time is. When he's seventy (maybe even sixty), then yeah, he'll desist. But, he said, if it's just a few years from now, he'll want to fight to live. Deliberately flouting the authority of the universe. *collective gasp* Nevertheless, I can see where he's coming from.
This turn in the dialogue led to another interesting concept: fear of the unknown. Who knows really what awaits us on the other side? It could be a glorious Heaven/Summerland/Eden or it could be eternal darkness. The fear of this unknown leads most of us to flail desperately at the end our lives, even if maybe the quality isn't that great. Because we know what's here, we are reluctant to give that knowledge up for a trip to a place we have no idea about.
Not that it's bad, of course. I mean, after all, it is human nature. But worth thinking about.
To reiterate: All World Leaders - I know I'm just a measly, inconsequential English major and all, and yes, it's great you all read Plato, and 'Beowulf' and Machiavelli...and yes, you should read Shakespeare and Jane Austen and the Bible. But honestlyseriouslywithallmyheart, you all really, really should read 'Utopia'.
None of the others I mentioned can touch modern-day situations as much as this book can.
26 January 2011
Utopian Concept Of Pleasure
I'm averaging one post a week for the month of January. I must be blowing my own mind, in addition to the five people who read my blog.
The total upside to owning a electronic book-carrying device is that I have instant access to tons of excellent literature...to be read in the evenings at my leisure, as I wait twenty minutes for a train to pass, while my hair dye is saturating, while I do my morning rituals...
Right now, I'm reading Sir Thomas More's "Utopia". Very good stuff...I think I was supposed to read it in college, but never found the time to do so. I certainly wouldn't have appreciated it then, that much I know.
The book is a near-constant narration of one man, who describes a society he came into contact with during his travels. This society's manner of conduct, treatments, standards, etc., prompt the narrator to refer to it as a Utopia. So far, there are descriptions that are entirely too idealistic for their own good...and there are ones that I desperately wish we could implement in our society today.
Anyway, the section on pleasure is one I have found to be the most interesting so far. Let me nutshell it for you:
1. Yes, Utopians concur, there are pleasures that "tickle the senses" (e.g. hunting for sport), but since those pleasures are a matter of personal taste and preference, they cannot be considered "true" pleasures.
2. True pleasures are indeed few, and fall into two categories - of the mind and of the body. The pleasure of the mind involves knowledge and seeking truth, in addition to pondering and reflecting upon one's life.
3. Pleasures of the body include partaking of those things that every human body must have to survive: food, drink, rest, freedom from pain, carnal relations. Besides this, there also is the pleasure of music.
4. Utopians preciously treasure "undisturbed and vigorous constitution of body, when life and active spirits seem to actuate every part." They consider physical health so valuable because it forms the basis of every other pleasure. Being free of sickness or pain allows one to pursue other true pleasures.
5. While the body pleasures stem mostly from necessity, the pleasure of the mind does not, and therefore, is valued and sought after more than anything else in Utopia. In fact, Utopians are described as "unwearied pursuers of knowledge".
Now I know what makes this text 'timeless'. It may be five hundred years old - but the ideas I've just summarized here are just as meaningful (maybe even more) to today's audiences.
So...long story short, let's stop worrying about accumulating stuff like power, prestige, money, fame, cars, and kitchen appliances...and instead focus on increasing these two things:
Physical health and useful knowledge.
Excellent plan. Everybody got it? Okay, go forth and make it happen.
Huh. If it were that easy, we'd all be doing it instead of reading canonical literature about it. But, we must keep searching, pondering, reflecting, asking...
It's what the Utopians would want us to do.
The answer is out there.
The total upside to owning a electronic book-carrying device is that I have instant access to tons of excellent literature...to be read in the evenings at my leisure, as I wait twenty minutes for a train to pass, while my hair dye is saturating, while I do my morning rituals...
Right now, I'm reading Sir Thomas More's "Utopia". Very good stuff...I think I was supposed to read it in college, but never found the time to do so. I certainly wouldn't have appreciated it then, that much I know.
The book is a near-constant narration of one man, who describes a society he came into contact with during his travels. This society's manner of conduct, treatments, standards, etc., prompt the narrator to refer to it as a Utopia. So far, there are descriptions that are entirely too idealistic for their own good...and there are ones that I desperately wish we could implement in our society today.
Anyway, the section on pleasure is one I have found to be the most interesting so far. Let me nutshell it for you:
1. Yes, Utopians concur, there are pleasures that "tickle the senses" (e.g. hunting for sport), but since those pleasures are a matter of personal taste and preference, they cannot be considered "true" pleasures.
2. True pleasures are indeed few, and fall into two categories - of the mind and of the body. The pleasure of the mind involves knowledge and seeking truth, in addition to pondering and reflecting upon one's life.
3. Pleasures of the body include partaking of those things that every human body must have to survive: food, drink, rest, freedom from pain, carnal relations. Besides this, there also is the pleasure of music.
4. Utopians preciously treasure "undisturbed and vigorous constitution of body, when life and active spirits seem to actuate every part." They consider physical health so valuable because it forms the basis of every other pleasure. Being free of sickness or pain allows one to pursue other true pleasures.
5. While the body pleasures stem mostly from necessity, the pleasure of the mind does not, and therefore, is valued and sought after more than anything else in Utopia. In fact, Utopians are described as "unwearied pursuers of knowledge".
Now I know what makes this text 'timeless'. It may be five hundred years old - but the ideas I've just summarized here are just as meaningful (maybe even more) to today's audiences.
So...long story short, let's stop worrying about accumulating stuff like power, prestige, money, fame, cars, and kitchen appliances...and instead focus on increasing these two things:
Physical health and useful knowledge.
Excellent plan. Everybody got it? Okay, go forth and make it happen.
Huh. If it were that easy, we'd all be doing it instead of reading canonical literature about it. But, we must keep searching, pondering, reflecting, asking...
It's what the Utopians would want us to do.
The answer is out there.
15 January 2011
Let's Talk About Death
A half-dozen times I have attempted to start a blog post here, and half a dozen, I have deleted in because I could barely articulate coherent thought.
On the seventh time, I am just going to forge ahead and hope for the best.
My dad's eldest sister, my aunt, is dying. She has what the doctors call fast-moving cancer. Most of my aunts and cousins have poured in today from various parts of the country to say their goodbyes and be there for each other.
I visited Auntie last Saturday, yesterday, and then again today. I do not know if I will see again before she passes.
As can be expected with these types of events, I can't help thinking about death and reevaluating my life.
Yuena Zhen reminds me that the Tao says death is natural and Nature does not discern - it is "impartial". This I know and have been at peace with since I became a pagan.
I am not afraid to die. My only wish is that I don't die a violent death at the hands of someone besides myself. I don't want my death to be a "senseless tragedy"...but then, Yuena reminds me that just because it doesn't make sense to me or my loved ones, doesn't mean it is without sense.
The universe is unfolding as it should, whether I realize it or not. I won't always be privy to events I might consider "senseless". Death is inevitable, even if it doesn't happen at the time we want it to.
It is what it is.
On the seventh time, I am just going to forge ahead and hope for the best.
My dad's eldest sister, my aunt, is dying. She has what the doctors call fast-moving cancer. Most of my aunts and cousins have poured in today from various parts of the country to say their goodbyes and be there for each other.
I visited Auntie last Saturday, yesterday, and then again today. I do not know if I will see again before she passes.
As can be expected with these types of events, I can't help thinking about death and reevaluating my life.
Yuena Zhen reminds me that the Tao says death is natural and Nature does not discern - it is "impartial". This I know and have been at peace with since I became a pagan.
I am not afraid to die. My only wish is that I don't die a violent death at the hands of someone besides myself. I don't want my death to be a "senseless tragedy"...but then, Yuena reminds me that just because it doesn't make sense to me or my loved ones, doesn't mean it is without sense.
The universe is unfolding as it should, whether I realize it or not. I won't always be privy to events I might consider "senseless". Death is inevitable, even if it doesn't happen at the time we want it to.
It is what it is.
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