Life On A B-I7

Stoic Thought of the Day — Day 31

How you handle even minor upsets in life reveals a great deal about you. In fact, it reveals everything.

My First

I had my first Mushroom Coffee this morning. I liked it. Even better, it does affect your mood positively. I was pleasantly surprised. I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s cup. I will have to remember not to chase it two hours later with a beer…

Stoic Thought of the Day — Day 30

If things aren’t going for you the way you’d like, think about trying something different.

Research Librarian

I sent the following request to our Research Librarian…

“I would like to read an assortment of literary classics. I’ve been a non-fiction guy most of my life but it’s time to diversify. I realize that is kind of like saying I want to swim the Pacific Ocean. So as preparation for selecting a few that would be most interesting to me, I would like to do some reading about the titles considered by those knowledgeable to be the major classics of literature. What makes them classics? Why should they be read? What one might expect to gain from reading them? That sort of thing…”

The next day I got this response…

“You will be receiving a great list of recommendations from one of our librarians soon, but in the meantime I had to jump in to offer this article that I just read this week and it was so timely with your question:”

 Italo Calvino’s 14 Criteria for What Makes a Classic 

Note…

I picked up a copy of Calvino’s book “Why Read the Classics.” The introduction covers the 14 criteria mentioned above. There are many reasons to read the classics (which classics is another matter) but the answer to why read the classics may boil down to the fact that reading them is better than not reading them — whatever they are.

Stoic Thought of the Day — Day 29

The wise man has fewer problems than most. A wise man does not expect the impossible.

Only desire those things that are realistic. Be prepared for those things that might go wrong as well as the things you want to go right.

Youthful Mind

You’re only as young as the last time you changed your mind. And if you can change your mind, you can change anything.

I wish I had said those words. Unfortunately I didn’t, I found them on the label of a can of coffee substitute. An unlikely find perhaps, but if the coffee substitute is as good for me as that thought, I’ll keep drinking it.

Stoic Thought of the Day — Day 28

A wise stoic practitioner knows the right boundaries. It never benefits you to fight with anyone. In fact, to the best of your ability, it will be to your benefit to prevent other people from fighting. Keep your cool. It’s more important hearing what other people have to say than it is in making yourself heard.

Reading Goal

I would like to read 100 pages a day. I’m retired now. All I have that can possible interfere with that is Pickleball, Cycling, Skiing, Camping… I digress…

Stoic Thought of the Day — Day 27

There’s a long way and a short way to get to your goals. It’s a matter of asking yourself, what are my goals. Once you’ve identified them, you have to ask the next question which is, why do I want that goal. The answer to that question usually comes down to some very simple propositions. So simple in fact that it is really just a matter of choice. Those things you seek are often attained simply by making the right choice, not necessarily by following a complicated path.

What the Universe has Given Me

• A wonderful partner
• A cat that adores me
• Independent caring children
• Health beyond my years
• Curiosity
• Joy in building things
• Desire for knowledge
• A belief in being kind to everyone
• A caring about others

I’m not trying to flatter myself. This is as much a reminder as it is an observation. I consider myself lucky to be able to posses these attributes and I want to continue to grow in them. I think that is my true purpose.

Stoic Thought of the Day — Day 26

The definition of insanity is doing the wrong thing over and over again and expecting different results. That notion is not new. I don’t know how many times I have heard that said, or how many times I have found myself doing that very thing. Stop doing that. Take a different path instead.

Book a Librarian

I submitted this to my local library. I am anxious to see what this turns up. This might be the start of fun reading project.

I would like to read an assortment of literary classics. I’ve been a non-fiction guy most of my life but it’s time to diversify. I realize that is kind of like saying I want to swim the Pacific Ocean. So as preparation for selecting a few that would be most interesting to me, I would like to do some reading about​ the titles considered by those knowledgable to be “major” classics. What makes them classics? Why they should be read? What one might expect to gain from reading them?

Here is the response I received…

Stoic Thought of the Day — Day 25

When you are faced with adversity or confusion, or you simply can’t make up your mind, take a walk. Breathe deeply while doing so. Your mind will benefit with clarity and new resolve.

AI

No AI was used in the creation of this website. That would be lazy and untruthful. No AI will ever be used here. I don’t even use it for “research.” I realize that makes me a luddite. I suppose if the shoe fits. The problem is that too many people are using AI and not owning it. Truth is becoming harder and harder to decipher. AI will not ultimately improve that situation until we learn to be honest about its usage and our personal role in that usage.

Stoic Thought of the Day — Day 24

Navy SEALs say to one another: “Calm is contagious.” If you present calmness it will benefit you and those around you. This is done by example not by command. You want to be the person that tells everyone around you to take a deep breath, and demonstrate that.

Announcements, Announcements, Announcements

We used to sing that ditty in Boy Scouts before, you guessed it, announcements…

Some days I’m so happy I could cry.

I know I shouldn’t tell you that. You’ll think there’s something wrong with me. No one does that. Occasionally I do.

Pickleball

I haven’t written yet about Pickleball. America’s fastest growing sport. I play and I enjoy it. Now you know everything you need to know about me vis-a-vis Pickleball. It’s actually a bit more complicated than that…

I am a competative person but I prefer to compete with myself not with other people, especially people 40 years younger than I am. So I occasionally find myself overmatched on the court. I try and get by as best I can, but I have to admit it is frustrating. Someone recently asked me if I have a desire to play at the next higher level of competition, I said definitely not. My goal is to be playing at the same level and not lower 10 years from now. I think that’s a smart goal. There you go! That is definitely Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. (I might have to take the “A” out of that list, we’ll see.)

My real goal when I step onto the court is to be a good competitor and to leave the court with my partner and opponents saying to themselves, there goes a gracious man. I think I accomplish that most days. I have to admit, I think that’s more important than winning. However, I do like winning, who doesn’t?

Stoic Thought of the Day — Day 23

Focus on the here and now, focus on the details of what you need to be doing. Don’t look ahead, and by all means, don’t look ahead and dwell on the obstacles in your path or what could go wrong with your plan. Stay on task. Perform each step of your plan with intention and precision to the best of your ability. Don’t look at the big picture, just look at what is in front of you. (Okay, look at the big picture occasionally so you know you are still headed in the right direction.)

What Are Ya Gonna Do?

Sometimes, after my sweetheart has been away for a few days and she comes home, I make sure the bed is made and there are no dirty dishes in the kitchen sink. Sometimes I even fix her dinner to welcome her home. Let’s be very clear about this, that does not mean the dishwasher is empty…

Here’s a little something I picked up at the Senior Center. It’s a self-care checklist. Not a bad thing. I’ve modified it a bit to suit my lifestyle, but other than that, here it is.

• Meditate
• Exercise
• Drink Water (6 glasses)
• Journal (or write, depending on how you look at it)
• Perform a Service
• Each Healthy
• Read
• Connect With Others

Not a bad list. Doing these things every day goes a long way toward a happy and healthy life. You will notice that one of these is not “self-care” strictly speaking. Performing a Service is very important to leading a fulfilling life. I will admit, I’m a bit shy in this department. To correct that, I sent an email to my local Elementary School asking if I could be a Classroom Assistant. I’m waiting to hear back.

Stoic Thought of the Day — Day 22

Correct your own faults and not the faults of others. Tempting fate by railing against others gains nothing, it only places more obstacles in your path.

Patience

The cat was sitting on the foot of the bed when he noticed movement on the wall across from him. What he was looking at intently was a reflection of the tree in the back yard fluttering in the wind. It looked like a living sepia toned portrait that was alive.

Suddenly a bird flew into the tree outside and the shadow perfectly reflected the movement of the bird. The cat immediately sat up staring at the wall. The next thing I knew he had jumped down from the bed and was crouched at the base of the wall, staring up at the reflection of the bird. After about a minute, a cloud cast a shadow over the sun that obscured the reflection on the wall. The cat continued to stare at the wall, waiting for the reflection to return. For almost two minutes the cat focused all his attention on the location where the reflection had been. I was impressed by his patience and his ability to focus, just to catch a moving shadow.

The strings that appear in the reflection are the Christmas lights. Yes, I keep them up year round, but only in the back of the house. It is fun to turn them on occasionally to provide a party-like atmosphere.

Stoic Thought of the Day — Day 21

You needn’t constantly be on the offense. Playing defense can be a strategic move and even lead to a higher level of happiness. Those who go on the offensive their entire life often end up unhappy and falling short of their desired goal. Think of it as a sort of Tai Chi. Equal emphasis is given to both offensive and defensive strategies.

Living With a Cat

Part of living with a cat means that when you get out of bed in the morning, you have to do it in a manner that doesn’t disturb his royal highness at the foot of the bed. When he leads you to his food dish, you better be prepared to feed him. When he is sitting patiently by the back door, staring at you, that’s usually a sign that he wants to go outside. If you hear a scratching noise at 3 AM you know you have to get out of bed, and you better, or the duvet is going to be ripped to shreds.

Even though it sounds like he may be a bit demanding, I ask a lot of him too. I ask that when I pick him up, he let me hold him for 15 seconds (I’m lucky to get 5). When I’m writing in my journal and he jumps up on the desk and lays down on top of it, I ask him to please move. Does he? Of course not. When I’m brushing him, I ask that he doesn’t insist I do it for 90 minutes. When he’s sitting in my favorite chair on the patio, I ask he vacate it for me, which he usually does, after 60 minutes or so. Have I ever thought about living without him? Never.

Click here to view my Reading Log Update

Stoic Thought of the Day — Day 20

Don’t be ashamed to ask for help. None of us were born with all the skills necessary to solve every problem. Our friends and family often hold the key to overcoming what is troubling us. If you need help, ask.

Dr. Fauci

We are all in this together.

Much maligned, rarely congratulated. Dr. Fauci represents the best in (the many) career civil servants that made a truly significant contribution to the fight against COVID. Many people have chosen to weave conspiracy theories around his name. That’s a sad outcome to endure simply as a result of doing your best to help your fellow man. The good doctor was not without mistakes, none of us are. The few that were made were acknowledged and corrected. That’s all we can ask of ourselves or anyone. As Einstein said, and as it applies to all those that engaged in the fight against COVID, “Failure is success in progress.” Dr. Fauci never gave his country less than his best. And his best helped to save us.

Special thanks to the artist and friend Adam Hansen.