My 12 Maxims
Was feeling reflective this morning and decided to put down in 12 short sentences what I have learned in life to date, operationally speaking. Just printed 'em up and stuck one on the wall, and one in my wallet. Thought I'd share.
- I can change my life.
- I can start Now. It is always now. At any given moment, I can change how the story will end. And the story will end one day.
- I have control over my actions, my reactions and, to a limited and variable extent, my environment.
- The freer I become, I can exert increasing control over my environment.
- No matter how distant the goal, I always have the options of what is adjacently possible. Take advantage of what is in my power now.
- I may have abilities I am unaware of and undiscovered only because I have yet to find an environment in which they bear fruit. Keep my eyes open to such possibilities.
- To paraphrase Aristotle, excellence is a habit, not a state. Become a creature of habit.
- Problems are inevitable. Pain is inevitable. Problems are solvable. Pain is temporary.
- Have no emotional attachment to any particular means, methods or tools. Love the goal, not the path.
- If you are an eagle, there is little you can learn from a crow. Don't waste time.
- Never relent. Self-doubt is answered with action. Hope with confrontation. Truth is found only in constant questioning. Never operate on assumptions for any extended period of time.
- The terrain of the Divine is found solely in my relation with others. Act accordingly and with love, humor and bravery.
Serious and snarky responses appreciated and expected.
Learning Japanese. First lesson
Konichiwa! Yesterday I had my first formal Japanese lesson. In fact, it was my first official class in anything I've had in quite a while. I've always considered myself a "good student", but man, I gotta tell you, I felt totally awkward yesterday, but I didn't beat myself up over it.
Joey Socks On His Arms
I was just reminded of a guy I haven't seen in a long time, who we affectionately used to call "Joey Socks On His Arms". But not to his face of course.
In a bitter breakup with an ex-girlfriend I got him in the settlement, not quite sure how. One time the poor guy apparently got a bad sunburn and then showed up to one of then weekly softball games with tube socks on his arms from his wrists to his shoulders (with the stripey-end up top). We stared at him trying to figure out why he had socks on his arms, and he said "I got a bad sunburn so now I have socks on my arms."
Of course. Makes sense.
He also used to bring a small amplifier and a guitar to each soft ball game to play Van Halen's "Eruption" on before he would bat. Good old Joey Socks On His Arms was a strange dude...
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