Bad Cold by Shel Silverstein

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  This cold is too much for my shortsleeve. Go get me a Kleenex--and fast. I sniffle and wheeze And I'm ready to sneeze And I don't know how long I can last.... Atchoo--it's to wet for a kleenex, So bring me handkerchief, quick. It's--atchoo--no joke, Now the handkerchief's soaked. Hey, a dish towel just might do the trick. Atchoo--it's too much for bath towel. There never has been such a cold. I'll be better off With that big tablecloth, No--bring me the flag off the pole. Atchoo--bring the clothes from the closet, Atchaa--get the sheets from the bed, The drapes off the window, The rugs off the floor To soak up this cold in my head. Atchoo-- hurry down to the circus And ask if they'll lend you the tent. You say they said yes? Here it comes--Lord be blessed-- Here it is--Ah-kachoooo--there it went.

Daily Practice for February

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The end of a month is exciting for it represents a time of transition, the chance to review days gone by and make changes for personal growth in the days that lay ahead. The rubric for February looks something like a daily check-list and is presented in no particular order. This will become daily practice for the month until it is mastered . . . if nothing prevents me:

  • ASK: "What would _____ do?" 
"Cherish some man of high character, and keep him ever before your eyes, living as if he were watching you, and ordering all your actions as if he beheld them." (Epicurius)
  • PREPARE: "What could go wrong?" 
Think ahead, plan for contingencies. Don't let yourself be ambushed, taken by surprise.
  • TRAIN: Practice voluntary discomfort. 
Skip a meal, take a cold shower, "forget" your coat. Get out of your comfort zone.

  • RESOLVE: "If nothing prevents me .  . ."
The new "to do" list.
  • AMOR FATI
Accept what is outside your control and love it.
  • PRACTICE
Infuse every opportunity with virtue
  • RELEASE
Let go. Nothing is yours, only borrowed.
  • MINIMALIZE
Don't hoard or acquire what you will not use. Learn to use what you have.
  • FORGIVE
People don't know what they are doing. 
  • BREATHE
Stay calm, buy tranquility.

Daily Practice is the Philosophy

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