Category: Philosophy

Think deep.

  • The Fog

    Through early morning fog I see
    Visions of the things to be
    The pains that are withheld for me
    I realize and I can see

    I try to find a way to make
    All our little joys relate
    Without that ever present hate
    But I know that it’s too late

    The game of life is hard to play
    I’m going to lose it anyway
    The losing card I’ll someday lay
    So this is all I have to say

    The only way to win is cheat
    And lay it down before I’m beat
    And to another give a seat
    For that’s the only painless feat

    The sword of time will pierce our skin
    It doesn’t hurt when it begins
    But as it works it’s way on in
    The pain grows stronger watch it grin

    A blind man once requested me
    To answer questions that are key
    Is it to be or not to be
    And I replied, “Oh why ask me?”

  • Of Grasshoppers

    Student: I’m failing my family so badly.
    Master: Bemoaning failure does little to make success.

  • Of Grasshoppers

    Student: I don’t think I can save us this time.
    Master: Does it have to be you, alone, that saves us?

  • Forgotten Lines

    I wrote a haiku
    While I slept it was very good
    I woke to forget

  • Of Grasshoppers

    Student: Have you ever lost hope?
    Master: Have you ever looked deeply into the eyes of an infant?

  • Of Grasshoppers

    Student: Am I a bad person?
    Master: Do you really need to ask?

  • Use it or loose it. And a question of etiquette

    Languages I’ve tasted:

    • Spanish (4 years in High School, a couple of years at college, lived in the Spanish dorm a year)
    • Hungarian (Magyar – felt comfortable enough with the basics that I wanted to travel to Budapest on my own)
    • American Sign Language (some classes in college, hung out at TN school for the Deaf)
    • and I can say "Hello" in Arabic. (I said Arabic online! Alert Homeland Security!)
    Sidebar

    In college, I used to joke that if I could say "Hello" and "I love you" in every language that I’d never sleep alone. I made a good go of it too. Even that part about learning "hello" and "I love you".

    My sign language is weird because I was trying to learn ASL but because I was hearing, the kids at TSD wanted to use signed English with me. Despite my pidgon sign, I was comfortable enough to take orders from the deaf and hard of hearing at a Shoney’s restaurant where I worked right out of college. Now I can’t even talk to my wife (but what does that have to do with sign language?). Through the University and working at The Foreign Language Division of The Learning Company, I also gained exposure to French, Japanese, Russian, German and Italian but not enough to claim any knowledge.

    So, My question of etiquette: When I bump into someone Hispanic, I always address them in English. Sometimes I get that blank look that I would give if I were being addressed by someone not speaking English; you know, that agast, expressionless face as your mind reels thorough the relatively small number of words you may have in hopes that something rings a bell. My Spanish is not good enough to strike up a conversation but I can still make some appropriate greetings. What is appropriate? Assume they speak Spanish and say, "¡Buenos días!"? Ask if they speak Spanish, "¿Habla español?" Or just stick to the uncomfortable smile, head nod and hesitant wave?

    I don’t hesitate to talk to anyone. My inclination is to speak in Spanish. Perhaps my vocabulary will return!

  • Offroading

    In East Tennessee we get the pleasure of seeing lots of muddy pickup trucks toting around their motorcycles and 4 wheelers. I thought this practice to originate in these hills but apparently it comes from the Middle East.

  • Today’s extremely profound statement

    From Crouching Mommy, Hidden Laundry:

    And, life is ENTIRELY too short to feel like you are a victim for an extended period of time.

    That hits home. I am writing that under this week’s Franklin Covey quote in my planner:

    Character is the basis of happiness and happiness the sanction of character.
    –George Santayana

    Everyday this week I will set aside some time to ponder these.

  • Of Grasshoppers

    Student: Why go on?
    Master: To make a difference.

  • Of Grasshoppers

    Student: I don’t have time.
    Master: Make time.

  • A Rest Stop from Depression and Suicidal Thoughts

    Some interesting reading for people with depression and suicidal thoughts. Hmm. Good writing but at the end it notes that it is an exerpt from his book ergo marketing but still good info.

  • Of Grasshoppers

    Student: I am the personification of failure.
    Master: Failure is what you make of it.