Head-dibs

“The soul is like the bowl of water, with the soul's impressions like the rays of light that strike the water. Now, if the water is disturbed, the light appears to be disturbed together with it — though of course it is not. So when someone loses consciousness [composure], it is not the person's knowledge and virtues that are impaired, it is the breath that contains them [the spirit in which they exist]. Once the breath [spirit] returns to normal, knowledge and the virtues are restored to normal also.”  (Epictetus, Discourses and Selected Writings) The beauty of wisdom and loving it, the art of philosophy, is that wisdom never changes. One either does what is right or does what is not right -- wisdom never changes. One is shown to be wise by right and is shown to be foolish by what is not right. One may abandon wisdom, but wisdom will never abandon you. If the soul is disturbed by some minor distraction or flagrant foolishness, wisdom is not disturbed. When the soul is c...

With the Doctoral program starting in the Fall, my goal is to complete a handful of outstanding projects that not only relate to personal development but also inform the subject of leadership, which will be the heart of my capstone project. Projects to finish ("front sight focus"): Donald Roberston's short introductory online course on Marcus Aurelius based on his new book, "How To Think Like A Roman Emperor."  John Maxwell's " Momentum Breakers and Momentum Makers " podcasts (momentum is a leader's best friend) followed by " Core Values for a Winning Team "  Finish notating leadership principles from Marcus Aurelius', "Meditations" Meeting with my mentor to discuss narrowing the topic in order to make a unique contribution to the field of leadership study and practice Ongoing projects ("bullet-proof the mission"): Leadership Handbook series (personal, skill and relational development); Review Ma...

I've decided I'm not sick with a cold. I'm four days into a marathon Ragnar Lothbrok imitation (from the show "Vikings"): actual picture of squinky, watery eyes "Sickness is a hindrance to the body, but not to your ability to choose, unless that is your choice. Lameness is a hindrance to the leg, but not to your ability to choose. Say this to yourself with regard to everything that happens, then you will see such obstacles as hindrances to something else, but not to yourself." (Epictetus, Enchiridion 9) “If it’s endurable, then endure it. Stop complaining. If it’s unendurable . . . then stop complaining. Your destruction will mean its end as well.” (Marcus Aurelius, Meditations)

Mt. Taylor toward ABQ Hog Back in Gallup Overlooking East Gallup Heart-shaped cloud somewhere near Roswell 'cause you gotta love NM

Would like to climb in these mountains someday.

Summum Bonum is an expression from Cicero, Rome’s greatest orator. In Latin, it means “the highest good.” “Just that you do the right thing. The rest doesn't matter. Cold or warm. Tired or well-rested. Despised or honored. Dying...or busy with other assignments.” (Marcus Aurelius, Meditations)

"Poverty will keep for you your true and tried friends; you will be rid of the men who were not seeking you for yourself, but for something which you have." (Seneca, Moral Letter 20: "Practicing What You Preach")

“You must reflect carefully beforehand with whom you are to eat and drink, rather than what you are to eat and drink. For a dinner of meats without the company of a friend is like the life of a lion or a wolf.” (Seneca, quoting Epicurus in Moral Letter 19: "On Worldliness and Retirement")

"It shows much more courage to remain dry and sober when the mob is drunk and vomiting; but it shows greater self-control to refuse to withdraw oneself and to do what the crowd does, but in a different way, – thus neither making oneself conspicuous nor becoming one of the crowd. For one may keep holiday without extravagance. . . . Set aside a certain number of days, during which you shall be content with the scantiest and cheapest fare, with coarse and rough dress, saying to yourself the while: 'Is this the condition that I feared?' It is precisely in times of immunity from care that the soul should toughen itself beforehand for occasions of greater stress, and it is while Fortune is kind that it should fortify itself against her violence. In days of peace the soldier performs manoeuvres, throws up earthworks with no enemy in sight, and wearies himself by gratuitous toil, in order that he may be equal to unavoidable toil. If you would not have a man flinch when the cris...

"Why, then, should you reject Philosophy as a comrade?  Even the rich man copies her ways when he is in his senses. If you wish to have leisure for your mind, either be a poor man, or resemble a poor man. Study cannot be helpful unless you take pains to live simply; and living simply is voluntary poverty. Away, then, with all excuses like: 'I have not yet enough; when I have gained the desired amount, then I shall devote myself wholly to philosophy.' And yet this ideal, which you are putting off and placing second to other interests, should be secured first of all; you should begin with it. You retort: 'I wish to acquire something to live on.' Yes, but learn while you are acquiring it; for if anything forbids you to live nobly, nothing forbids you to die nobly.  There is no reason why poverty should call us away from philosophy, – no, nor even actual want. For when hastening after wisdom, we must endure even hunger. Men have endured hunger when their towns ...

"Philosophy is no trick to catch the public; it is not devised for show. It is a matter, not of words, but of facts. It is not pursued in order that the day may yield some amusement before it is spent, or that our leisure may be relieved of a tedium that irks us. It moulds and constructs the soul; it orders our life, guides our conduct, shows us what we should do and what we should leave undone; it sits at the helm and directs our course as we waver amid uncertainties. Without it, no one can live fearlessly or in peace of mind. Countless things that happen every hour call for advice; and such advice is to be sought in philosophy." (Seneca)

"When I see a man in a state of anxiety, I say, 'What can this man want? If he did not want something which is not in his power, how could he still be anxious?'" (Epictetus, Discourses 13) This thought provides a simple readiness against anxiety, pointing that that one who is anxious wants something--what is it? Resolving anxiety involves two questions:  "What is wanted?" "Is the object of want withing one's power?"  This simple lesson might be coupled with another learned just this weekend, touching on Sadness and Anger.  In times of sadness we could ask, "what is missing?" This is different than anxiety. No attempt should be made to cheer unless one requests cheer; instead, one must process sadness starting with coming to grips with what is lost.  Anger is never handled well with encouragements to "calm down." This response to anger communicates the idea that the anger one feels is wrong, that it dis...

"Now there are short and simple exercises which tire the body rapidly, and so save our time; and time is something of which we ought to keep strict account. These exercises are running, brandishing weights, and jumping—high-jumping or broadjumping, or the kind which I may call, “the Priest’s dance,” or, in slighting terms, “the clothes-cleaner’s jump.” [the washer cleaned clothes by jumping and stamping on them in the tub] Select for practice any one of these, and you will find it plain and easy. But whatever you do, come back soon from body to mind. The mind must be exercised both day and night, for it is nourished by moderate labour. and this form of exercise need not be hampered by cold or hot weather, or even by old age. Cultivate that good which improves with the years."  (Seneca)