2023

Time & Space - March 5

Here's another weird, uninformed amateur thought……

We are all confined to a timeline that moves us all forward in the NOW.  It's a knife's edge that is constantly moving.  We have past, that's gone, behind us; but the future is ahead and unknown.

We are also being told by astrophysicists that the universe is not only continuing to expand, but may even be expanding at an accelerating rate. 

It is often said that time and space are intertwined (an Einstein theory that I'm not bright enough to grasp).  Could it be that our perception of time is connected to the expansion of space?   That as it moves outward, it carries our "present" along a line of its expansion?  

This has surely been considered by others in some way.  It has some weird implications.

Wisdom Lines - March 11

The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure that you seek

Behold - March 21

To behold a mountain range and the forests and streams and feel the wind on your face - is to behold a moment in this space and time on our immediate vast planet in space in time and our reality in moment to moment.

In contrast to the blur of head-down, blindered fretting about the latest demand, urge, slight, fantasy or deadline.  

Our consciousness should be focused on the former much more than the latter.  It's really the mantra of 'mindfulness' we keep being told about.

Away - April 21

It’s healthy to get away to get relief from the “to-do” list and refresh - and reset. 

To The Boys - May 16

The most important piece of advice I've ever been given, that I hope my kids follow, is to keep open and expand your options.

My father told me that a facility with English and writing was the most valuable talent.  I continue to believe it’s the most versatile skill.

Old & Slow - July 1

Partly from my growing experience with age, it seems to me that some older people don’t move more slowly purely from physical infirmity as much as a deliberate pacing to savor the remaining moments.  Time gets more valuable when you realize you have less of it.

Why The Drive - July 2

To keep doing things, projects - productivity, etc.:

1. A visible sense of accomplishment

2. If I think of it - vision it - I have to do it (Dwayne)

3. Improving my surroundings - striving for that perfection

4. To improve/complete myself ("we don't find ourselves - we make ourselves") - the Renaissance ideal

5. The need to feel productive - time-efficient

6. To leave a legacy to my children and posterity

7. To combat feelings of deficiency and inadequacy - 'see; I am competent!" To prove something

8. A sense of superiority (?) - accomplishing what others are not.

9. A sense of self-actualization - to become the best you can be.

10. As above - the classical ideal that I was instilled with in early adulthood - to strive for character refinement and perfection - the writings of Marcus Aurelius or classical writers.  (A goal of centering and focusing with monk-like diligence on character refinement to create the authentic person before engaging with the world…..but life gets in the way)  To be refined…..

    
    
    
    

    Revelation in Creativity - July 5

    Much of my retirement has been focused on an obsessive quest to engage in creative expression (for whatever reason) - whether in music, art, gardening, etc.

    And it occurred to me that despite the drudgery of my career, many of my accomplishments of which I was most proud involved a kind of creativity- producing a radio show, designing a brochure, making a video, producing a lobby day, etc all required a vision and composition.

    Martha - September 18

    Per Romney book on his wife - “organized around winning and keeping her respect” very much describes our relationship - or my attitude toward my wife.
    

    Papered Over - December 7 ......by the electronics of our lives.  Covering our touch with time and reflection…

    Melancholy is a useful perspective….