The Smoke and Dust of Myth

"Keep a list before your mind of those who burned with anger and resentment about something, of even the most renowned for success, misfortune, evil deeds, or any special distinction. Then ask yourself, how did that work out? Smoke and dust, the stuff of simple myth trying to be legend..." ~ Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 12.27

Monday ~ February 10, 2025

Water does not resist. Water flows. When you plunge your hand into it, all you feel is a caress. Water is not a solid wall, it will not stop you. But water always goes where it wants to go, and nothing can stand against it. Water is patient. Dripping water wears away a stone. Remember that, my child. Remember you are half water. If you can't go through an obstacle, go around it. Water does. ~ Margaret Atwood, b. 1939

Sunday, February 9, 2025

It is th steady and merciless increase of occupations, the augmented speed at which we are always trying to live, the crowding of each day with more work and amusement than it can profitably hold, which has cost us, among other good things, the ubdistributed enjoyment of friends. Friendship takes time, and we have no time to give. Agnes Repplier, 1855 - 1950

Monday ~ December 30, 2024

It is the steady and merciless increase of occupations, the augmented speed at which we are always trying to live, the crowding of each day with more work and amusement than it can profitably hold, which has cost us, among other good things, the undisturbed ebjoyment of friends, Friendship takes time, and we have no time to give it._____________________________________________ Agnes Repplier, 1855 - 1950

Saturday ~ December 2, 2023

Galen

Wednesday ~ November 28, 2023

Youth is not a time of life - it is a ripe state of mind. It is not a matter of ripe cheeks, red lips, and supple knees; it is a temper of will, a quality of imagination, a vigor of emotions; it is a freshness of the deep spring of life. Youth means a tempermental predominance of courage over timidity, of the appetite of adventure over love of ease...... Samuel Ullman, 1840 - 1924

Thursday ~ April 6, 2023

Does the news bother you? Do you worry about things out of your control? Then take the time to concentrate your mind in the acquisition of some new and useful knowledge and stop it from flitting about. By the same token, guard against making the mistake of those who keep themselves so busy trying to gain control that they wear themselves out and lose their sense of direction, having no purpose to guide their actions or even their thoughts.

Marcus Aurelius ~ 121 - 180