Deserts of Plenty

The Buddha believed that the mind was a sense organ, similar to the ears or eyes. What the mind sensed was not sounds not images but thought bubbling up from what we would call our subconscious.

James Clear in his book, Atomic Habits, shows a better way to change our habits. We tend to think motivation comes before change but it's often the other way around. We don't become motivated to change until we see changes.

Recently, a friend wanted to offer me her review of a new movie. However, before she felt safe to do so, she had to check to make sure no one was listening. Is this the future we want?

A repeat from earlier in the year.Antifragility is a term coined by Nassim Nicholas Taleb in his book "Antifragile: Things That Gain From Disorder." It refers to a property of systems or organisms that thrive and improve when exposed to stressors, volatility, and uncertainty. Unlike fragile things that break under pressure, antifragile entities become stronger and more resilient over time.The concept of antifragility can be applied to various aspects of human life, including physical fitness, mental health, and career development. By intentionally subjecting ourselves to moderate levels of stress and challenge, we can stimulate the growth of our muscles, bones, and brain cells, which ultimately leads to greater vitality and longevity. Likewise, by embracing uncertainty and taking calculated risks, we can expand our knowledge, skills, and social networks, which can enhance our career prospects and overall well-being.Moreover, antifragility can also help us cope with unexpected setbacks and crises. By cultivating a mindset that views adversity as an opportunity for growth and learning, we can bounce back stronger from setbacks, develop new strategies, and build stronger support systems.In short, antifragility can be a powerful tool for personal and professional development, as well as for building more resilient communities and societies. By embracing volatility and uncertainty, we can harness the power of disruption and turn it into a source of strength and growth.

"In a hundred years we'll all be dead and none of this matters." That statement can fill one with an existential dread but it also has another way to approach it. Ruminating on ones own mortality has an upside.

Right now, the present moment, is the only time you can DO something. The rest is just thinking.

A thought experiment.... if you knew for certain you wouldn't fail, what would you undertake to do?

THIS IS NOT ADVICE. A few years ago, I started getting some symptoms that I just assumed were 'due to getting older'. Well, all of those symptoms are gone through, I assume, a combination of eating better, exercising, better sleep, etc. Maybe we don't have to accept things as inevitable?

In 2019, Donald Trump said that Covid came from a lab in Wuhan China, not a wet market. President Trump, as a messenger, meant that several media outlets, as well as people, put that info into the 'nutty conspiracy camp' and even Facebook banned such speculation. Today, it turns out he was likely right. What has that cost been?