Friday, October 13, 2023

importance of consequences

 It is a very bad thing to not allow children to reap the consequences of their actions. Impunity will breed a lack of accountability, laziness, and victim mentality. Case in point: Matthew.

...

It is good for the soul to be loved. But it is bad for the character to be pampered, or smothered.

They say there is strength in being able to ask for help, but that only comes when you have tried to help yourself. There is also strength in refusing help, when you know you can do it for yourself.



Friday, September 02, 2022

Pursuit of Happiness

(Taking up this title from over two years ago, not having any recollection of what it was supposed to be about at the time.)


The pursuit of happiness as a constitutional right is just wrong.

What effect could it have, except to develop the misconception that happiness is something that is pursued, and even worse, something you have a right to? Happiness is an emotion, like anger, frustration, sadness. It cannot live in a vacuum without becoming one. It gets it value precisely in its contrast to sadness/anger/frustration.

Rather, happiness should be considered a side effect. The real pursuits should be for Purpose, Goodness, Truth, Knowledge, Unity. When we achieve these, happiness is just the side effect.


Thursday, September 01, 2022

for our own protection

Is it for our own protection that the mind is unable to recall the worst moments ever?

One True

There is one true God, but not one true form of worship.

Sunday, December 19, 2021

 Beneath the rubble of each calamity, we nurse a silent exultation: I have survived.

Wednesday, June 09, 2021

Wednesday, June 24, 2020

What about this weather we're having?

I too am guilty of starting conversations by talking about the weather. Just this morning, with the mailman, in fact. Weather as a topic has been criticized as shallow, inane, pointless. But it is a safe way to open a connection with a stranger, so that they are no longer strange. It is something we all experience in common, regardless of our background and circumstances. And it is a door, slightly ajar, which can be opened wider or slammed shut.