"Doing something you don’t like can be much more active and existential and soul-awakening than something you do like. So it’s worth doing those things, and occasionally even seeking them out."
This made me think of the terse admonishments of the Hagakure. I found them simultaneously invigorating and scary to read.
But flicking through them again, I'm forcibly reminded how much certain US politicians right now could learn from the best and most ageless of them. One of my favourites:
"There is something to be learned from a rainstorm. When meeting with a sudden shower, you try not to get wet and run quickly along the road. But doing such things as passing under the eaves of houses, you still get wet. When you are resolved from the beginning, you will not be perplexed, though you will still get the same soaking. This understanding extends to everything."
Sorry I'll stop now. Can I just say what a pleasure it is reading both your thoughts in thos substack and the BTL comments beneath each post? It makes the day go better and calms the baffled rage. :)
I have such a check from my mother though she's not dead. She's caught in the inbetween of dementia. I found the check while sorting through her things after we'd moved her to a care home. It was meant to be a birthday present but she forgot. I'll treasure it forever.
"Doing something you don't like can be much more active and existential and soul-awakening than something you do like." — that's basically what I tell my kids when they ask me why they need to go to school. And no, they don't believe me. But one day ...
Well! That’s quite the gutpunch of bits, there.
The last one's certainly a tough reminder...
"Doing something you don’t like can be much more active and existential and soul-awakening than something you do like. So it’s worth doing those things, and occasionally even seeking them out."
This made me think of the terse admonishments of the Hagakure. I found them simultaneously invigorating and scary to read.
I've never actually read them... I should!
...or you could chest and [re]watch Gost Dog ;)
But flicking through them again, I'm forcibly reminded how much certain US politicians right now could learn from the best and most ageless of them. One of my favourites:
"There is something to be learned from a rainstorm. When meeting with a sudden shower, you try not to get wet and run quickly along the road. But doing such things as passing under the eaves of houses, you still get wet. When you are resolved from the beginning, you will not be perplexed, though you will still get the same soaking. This understanding extends to everything."
Sorry I'll stop now. Can I just say what a pleasure it is reading both your thoughts in thos substack and the BTL comments beneath each post? It makes the day go better and calms the baffled rage. :)
I have such a check from my mother though she's not dead. She's caught in the inbetween of dementia. I found the check while sorting through her things after we'd moved her to a care home. It was meant to be a birthday present but she forgot. I'll treasure it forever.
I'm so sorry to hear about your mother's state. But glad you have a check too. It's quite a thing to have.
"Doing something you don't like can be much more active and existential and soul-awakening than something you do like." — that's basically what I tell my kids when they ask me why they need to go to school. And no, they don't believe me. But one day ...
We live in hope ;-)