Life On A B-I7

Stoic Thoughts

It would not surprise me if people thought my project to write a stoic thought every day was a waste of time. Maybe on a good day people think it odd at best. I would not fault anyone for thinking either of those things. That makes it a good thing that no one reads this blog. Let me explain a bit more (to myself).

I am well aware that the words I read, and the words my posts are based upon, are not mine alone. In fact, they represent wisdom that has been around for a long time. What is unique here (I hope) is the shape I put the words into when I try and convey the ideas they represent. This I do primarily for myself. I plan to make this a years long effort by coming back to these entries and looking at them periodically. My hope in doing that is I will eventually incorporate these ideas into something resembling practice.

I Bit the Bullet

Lots of people are talking about Anthropic Claude. I decided to give it a try. I told Claude (it’s difficult for me to call an AI by a human name) a little bit about myself and asked it to build me an FAQ Page for my Blog. I like the initial replay Claude gave me:

I’m glad Claude thinks so, I’m a bit skeptical. I’m not certain that everyone stumbling into this site would agree… But I’m not accepting opinions at this time…

I’m not going to bore you with the FAQ Page that Claude generated. It’s actually quite good. A couple of the sentences provided are probably better written than what I would have come up with.

Claude provided the following to describe my journal entries when I’m bicycle touring:

On the subject of philosophy, Claude answered the question “are you a practitioner or a reader” this way:

This one actually strikes me as pretty good. This is Claude answering the question “why I write.”

There you have it. That’s what Claude thinks about me. Who am I to disagree…

Just for fun, I asked Gemini what Claude meant by “rich and genuine creative life.” This is what Gemini told me:

For goodness sake! I’m really something!

Shiva

I don’t pray to this statue of Shiva but I have great respect for what Shiva stands for. I keep this statue on my desk and will often meditate on the attributes that Shiva represents. I bought this when I was in India in late 2025. I didn’t fully understand the significance when I purchased it. After living with it for a while, I have come to appreciate all that this deity represents. There is no supreme god in Hinduism, but Shiva is worshipped as a supreme being in Shaivism. It is the attributes of Shiva that I find fascinating. Many of them are worth incorporating into my own life. (As far as humanly possible.)

Trident The Trident that Shiva is holding represents Shiva’s control over creation, preservation and destruction. The Trident also represents the three qunas: Past, present and future. Meditation on these is grounding.

Serpent The Serpent represents power over ego and desire. It also represents control over the primal forces of nature. While my control over natures forces is limited, I certainly can benefit from meditating about the role of ego and desire in my life.

Legs Crossed The meditative position, legs crossed, represents deep concentration, spiritual discipline, and transcendence of all things. Contemplating these in meditation brings one onto solid ground.

Third Eye The third eye (not clearly visible in this statue represents wisdom and insight. Looking for wisdom and insight is something we all should spend time doing whenever possible.

Ornaments The Ornaments represent the divine status of Shiva and the cosmic energy that Shiva possesses. The blue color represents Shiva’s ability to swallow poison, the ability to save the Universe, Shiva as protector of the Universe. Meditating with a desire to obtain these attributes is not the point. Meditating to look for ways to protect the Universe, that portion that we have within our control, is the point.

Change

There are two types of people in the world, those who look forward and those who look backward. Forward to a brighter future, backward to a past that was better than today.

I realize this is an oversimplification, but when you think about it, we are living in a time when the exceptions are few. This is the very nature of the polarized social climate that we live in today.

If you happen to be in the latter group, that’s fine, but indulge me for a moment if you will to consider how we got where we are today… We did not arrive here because of leadership that wanted to take us to an earlier time, we arrived where we are today because of leadership that looked forward to a brighter future. Can you honestly say that life in the 16th century, 15th century, 100 A.D., was better than it is today? I you consider that honestly, I think you have to conclude that looking forward is the very nature of man, and it is the capacity that allows us to evolve. It is to be pedantic, our future.

Differences

Of course this is a weak metaphor. But if you examine the two municipalities carefully, I think it’s hard to deny this. Central Oregon is a marvelous place. Working man’s town (Redmond). Vacation/Retirement paradise (Bend). Kitschy cute tourist town (Sisters). Classic rural ghost town (Brothers). You really can’t go wrong here.

Decision Making

I’m a big fan of David Brooks. His writing for The Atlantic is wonderful. He recently wrote a piece describing three decision making strategies. Here they are in a nutshell (in my words):

1. I’m smatter than you; I make decisions when I “feel them in my bones.”
2. I will make decisions based on analysis of facts and data.
3. I understand and can exercise the art of compromise.

Note: I’m sure you have noticed we are currently suffering a plague of bad decision making because strategy #1 is the prevailing methodology in use today by our administration in Washington D.C.

What David Brooks does so well is take a position and not only explain it, but do so in a fashion that is both erudite and also beautiful.

Of course the position I’m referring to here is his support of strategy #3. Before I share his words, which I am quoting because I could not improve upon them, let me set them up so they stand more firmly on their own.

Lord Halifax, the Anglo-Catholic reformer in late 17th Century England was often criticized as being a “Trimmer.” At the time, “a Trimmer” was a disparaging term used to describe someone with no clear course either for or against some position. The figure of speech is a reference to someone who trims the sails of a ship in order to capture the most favorable winds. Of course this is a common practice in sailing, but during Lord Halifax’s time the exercise of compromise in politics was considered anathema.

Here is why the exercise of compromise is so important. In David Brooks’ own words:

“The Trimmer understands that reality is more complicated than any single person can comprehend, and therefore he insists that no decision be taken until there has been a collision of diverse views. He maintains trust and communication with the broadest possible range of stakeholders but refuses to be owned by any of them. He governs through cooperation and compromise, not through domination and fear. His greatness comes in the art of holding his nation together, not in the exercise of arbitrary power. He perceives that if a leader loses the affection of his people, he can no longer govern except by threat of violence.”

It is my personal opinion that weak minded people (non-thinkers) prefer to follow people who use decision making strategy #1 because that makes life simpler for them and they don’t need to do any work on their own. I believe the smartest among us use decision making strategy #3 with input from people that fall into category #2.

The Game Within the Game

_ There is little to be gained by getting angry. There is always something we can do to adjust our behavior to avoid becoming a victim of anger._

I play pickleball with a woman that always turns her back on the court when she walks back to the baseline to get ready for her next serve. She is completely oblivious to what is going on around her. When returning the ball to the serving court after a point, we all tend to pick up the ball and toss it, expecting the serving player to grab it on the way back to the baseline. Not so with this woman. It invariably rolls past her and now she has to walk an additional distance behind the baseline to retrieve the ball. This slows down play even more. It’s frustrating and I’ve seen other players get frustrated with this behavior. I’ve seen people tell her to pay attention but the comment seems to be lost on her. I’ve decided to take a different approach. I’ve turned this otherwise frustrating behavior into a game. When I pick up the ball I hold it in my hand until she is almost to the baseline, I then roll it slowly back to her and try and time it so the ball rolls up to her feet just seconds after she turns around to face her opponents. It’s almost as challenging as the game itself. I guess you could call that an example of the “game within the game.”

Happiness

How do you gauge the happiness of the human species — taken as a whole — now vs. 100, 200, 1,000, 4 million years ago? I’m not aware of any scientific study that has addressed that question (or possibly could). We know from recent studies that a greater percentage of the population is “unpartnered” than when the first study of this phenomenon was undertaken. What does this mean to our species? It has been recently postulated that in the last four million years of human evolution, two events have had a dramatic effect on the species perception of intimacy. The agricultural revolution and the internet revolution. Each of these watersheds, in their own way, have led us towards a decreased need for monogamous bonding and have (presumably) led to a decline in long term intimacy. This could potentially having a blow-back effect on reproductive trends.

Will the human race become extinct? Will a handful of people with the resources live forever and the rest of us die off? That is anybody’s guess. I think the real point here is happiness. Happiness will be the driving force which chooses our path as a species. Let us think about happiness and how important it is not only to our personal survival, but the survival of all of us.

National Security

Guess what? Socialism is good for National Security. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, check back with me in 10 years. You’ll want to buy me a drink…

Political Language

In George Orwell’s essay Politics and the English Language, he warns us:

“Political language — and with variations this is true of all political parties, from Conservative to anarchist — is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind.”

This is as true today as it was in 1946. All people need to be aware of this propensity of politics, but there is even more to be aware of. With the increasing use of AI in all forms of human communication, this problem is only going to get worse. The species needs to be careful when it comes to speech in all forms, else we become little more than slaves to communication, rather than masters of it.

Premeditatio Malorum

Latin for Premeditation of Evils.

It’s good to ask in advance what can go right about this plan? It’s also good to ask in advance what can possible go wrong about this plan? Unless you are able to see both sides of the coin, and in particular the latter, you aren’t allowing yourself a “Plan B.”

TDOV

Happy International Transgender Day of Visibility. Today is internationally recognized as a day to celebrate transgender people, their accomplishments and the barriers they confront in many societies. Sadly, it seems to me, those barriers are greater in the United States than they should be. Perhaps our political climate (Trump, MAGA and their entourage of toadies) makes the discrimination more visible to us. Perhaps that discrimination has always been there, just not used as a political weapon like it is today. I hope that someday we will, all of us, even those mentioned above, wake up and look at one another through open and caring eyes.

To celebrate this day I’ve ordered a copy of “The Lilac People,” by Milo Todd. I will begin reading it as soon as it arrives. This is a novel about a trans man in WWII Germany and his struggle to survive first the Nazis then the Allies, all the while protecting the ones he loves.

Prevarications

No President of the United States has ever lied to the American people more than has Donald Trump. If you wear a red hat you don’t have to believe me. It really doesn’t matter if you believe me or not. History will be the final arbiter and it is highly unlikely that history will not confirm that conclusion.

I find it ironic that the term “fake news” is shouted from the rooftops to deny something that has actually happened, while often explanations with no substance in reality are handed to excuse some decision or event. What is even more astonishing than this irony, is the fact that there is a large segment of the population that eats these statements up (both of them).

For those of you who may be curious: “Prevarication is the act of intentionally deviating from the truth, lying, or avoiding giving a direct answer in order to mislead.” That is the trifecta of deception.

Journaling

I’ve been journaling now for 5 years. A fair amount of that effort has not been published here — most actually. What you see here is not the only journaling that I do. I also have a paper journal that I enjoy writing in. Those pages are open only to me. I don’t think they would be of any real interest to anyone else, that is the real purpose. What you see here are thought that I think are of marginal value when it comes to sharing with the world. (YMMV.) When it comes to writing in my personal journal, I can honestly say it gives me great pleasure. Many great people have been journals. From Ancient Romans to some of our Founding Fathers, to great writers and scientists. That certainly makes me proud to say I journal, but that’s not the reason I do. I do it for peace of mind. I think it makes me a better person, calmer, more willing to listen. I marvel at that really. I think the reason is because journaling allows me to get rid of thoughts I might otherwise be carrying around inside my head. That fact makes it easier for me to listen to others, and more tolerant as well. This effect has been verified by scientific study, along with lots of other benefits. When you break it down, the simple reality is I enjoy the practice. It is fulfilling.

Balance

It seems we have lost our sense of balance. The ability as a nation of individuals to find a common ground, to compromise. The art of compromise was one of the things our Found Fathers cherished most.

As Benjamin Franklin said: “Compromisers may not make great heroes, but they do make great democracies.”

Pickleball Notes #1

• Hit to the person that made the last mistake.
• The return of serve is the most important shot. Keep it deep to keep your opponents back and allow yourself and your partner to get up to the kitchen.
• Hit to the deepest opponent.
• Dink low and towards the middle of the court, drawing your opponents in toward the center of the court. Speed-up if given a shot, otherwise hitting low and slow will ultimately give you the best chance to attack.
• When in doubt, hit it where they ain’t.

Lazy, Stupid or Unknown

I’m reading “The Correspondent” by Virginia Evans. It is our neighborhood bookclub selection for April. I don’t like book clubs but I said I would participate in April and May anyway. I love this book! Here’s the problem. Either I’m too lazy, too stupid or I have an undiagnosed cognitive impairment of some sort because I’m having trouble keeping track of all the characters. The book is an epistolary work. Lots of letters to and from different people. I’m picking up the gist of all the interactions but there is a nagging feeling in the back of my mind that I should be keeping some kind of “cheat sheet” of all the characters and their relationship to the protagonist of the novel. I’ll push on and see how it goes. The cat just jumped up on my writing desk and is demanding my attention. Fortunately I remember his name.

Consumption

I picked up the phone this morning and started scrolling Amazon for shit to buy. I’m not going to tell you what I was looking at, that’s not the point. The point is that 20 minutes into my black hole of consumption I realized I didn’t need what I was looking for. Marcus Aurelius, the great Roman Emperor knew what I am only beginning to realize, we all live with too much stuff. When referring to our tendency to over consume, Marcus said that over consumption “leaves their owner with no place to shit.”

I could not have said it better. That is so true. So true in fact that I’ve realized I don’t even have room to shit in my off-site storage unit.

Robert Mueller

Trump posted on social media after the announcement of Mueller’s death:

“Robert Mueller just died. Good, I’m glad he’s dead.”

Robert Mueller’s contribution to American national security is undisputed. He led the FBI for 12 years after 9/11 and transformed the agency from one focused on domestic crime to one whose primary role was preventing foreign terrorism here at home. He worked for presidents of both parties and his loyalty to America was never questioned, until Trump.

Trump’s statement is not only not Presidential, a departure from all norms of Presidential decorum. It is insensitive, profane and irresponsible. It’s the sort of comment you would expect from a criminal.

Dealing With Change

One method for dealing with overwhelming change is feeling nostalgia for a time you have never known. One example is the way we glamorize Ancient Greece. Our society is changing too rapidly for our minds to grasp and adapt. This makes us long for the past. The feeling of being overwhelmed is one of the factors prompting this shift. The more anxiety we feel, the more we tend to retreat into the past.

Instagram

I sat down to write about something and was presented with a new Mac update that required me to reopen all my apps. Now that I’ve done that, I forgot what I was going to write about… Forgetting what I intended to do happens more often than I care to admit.

Oh ya, I’ve decided I’m not going to look at Instagram today. I’ve been looking at it more and more lately, and I’m not convinced that is healthy. I mean, I love the cat videos. I’d love to build a “Catio” so Mr. Tux would have a safe stimulating place to play outdoors but my partner would not approve (good for her) and someone in the HOA would complain and I’d have to dismantle it anyway.

That said, If I hadn’t watched Instagram yesterday, I would not have learned that there are serious protests in New York where it looks like hundreds (perhaps thousands) of people are chanting “F@@@ Trump.” I found that a pleasant distraction (I would have enjoyed being there). I also watched a video (cos-play) of the Founding Fathers reading what the current administration is doing and comparing it to the practices of the monarchies of Europe. It was a lesson in the reasoning behind the Constitution and why it was written, and what it was intended to prevent. Yes, they were showing surprise, regret, and disgust. (The costumes they were wearing were excellent.)

Outside of watching the Founding Fathers comment on our current political situation, watching protesters in New York, and contemplating turning our patio into a cat haven, I endured a lot of shit during my scrolling.

So today I’m not going to look at Instagram. If you want my attention, you’re going to have to walk up to me, tap me on the shoulder, and ask me how my day is going and what is going on.

Stoic Thought of the Day — Day 160

There is living in luxury and living well. Be content to live well. Living in luxury is a manifestation of greed and it robs the world and our fellow man of precious resources that should be preserved for future generations.

8 Japanese Secrets to Detox Your Mind

SHINRIN-YOKU

Take a 20 minute slow walk. Breathe through your nose. Take notice of the things around you.

• Lowers cortisol
• Reduces rumination
• Improves focus
• Calms sympathetic nervous system

MA

Sit and breathe with no distractions for 10 minutes.

• Reduces dopamine overload
• Improves emotional control
• Increases clarity
• Reduces anxiety

KAIZEN

Improve one small thing every day. Just one thing.

• Removes feelings of being overwhelmed
• Builds momentum when repeated
• Improves confidence
• Reduces procrastination

WABI-SABI

Stop second guessing yourself. Allow yourself to make mistakes. Post imperfect work. Accept where you are right now.

• Reduces comparison anxiety
• Stops perfection paralysis
• Improves mental peace
• Gives you the release to move forward

IKIGAI

Write. Write down answers to the following questions. What do I love. What am I good at. What do people value about me.

• Reduces confusion about who you are
• Improves direction
• Increases motivation
• Lowers existential stress

HARA HACHI BU

Stop eating at 80% full. Pause mid-meal to contemplate. Chew slowly.

• Improves impulse control
• Stabilizes blood sugar
• Reduces brain fog
• Trains discipline

OUBAITORI

Time your Social Media interaction. Do not exceed the limit you have set. Remove accounts, emails, interactions that are not positive. Focus on your progress not on what other people are doing.

• Reduces envy
• Increases self-worth
• Improves focus
• Increases well-being

SHOGANAI

If something is bothering you ask: “Can I control this?” If the answer is “No,” release it.

• Lowers stress reactivity
• Improves resilience
• Protects your mental energy
• Relaxes you

Tattoo

Some of you might know what I’m talking about… I think she needs a tattoo on her arm that says “Brad.” Better yet, “B-Rad.”

The Greatest Sentence Ever Written