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If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.
--Lao Tzu
Thinking (perhaps too much) about my upcoming transition to a (supposedly) less hectic lifestyle, and hoping I’ll be able to settle in with minimal mental/physical stress. I hate being put in the two dead ends and still having to choose scenario, once again. It’s not quite that bad, but the company I’m contacted too may offer me either something more permanent or continuing contract work right about the time I’m planning on leaving… which do I choose?... the life of leisure (but not if I still have to contend with survival issues), or the status quo?... I’m looking forward to a positive change. I know there will be less money, but a move to an area with lower costs will certainly help that… but will it be enough?... what about my students here and efforts to build a self-sustaining Aikido community in the Twinsburg and Kent areas? If I go to Savannah or Ashland, or Covington, or even Mexico, I’ll be starting over on that front, even if I just help out at established dojos… Well, I’ve still got plenty of time to evaluate and re-evaluate the options… Not really, only about 16 months…Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise. Seek what they sought.
--Matsuo Basho
Every day is a journey, and the journey itself is home.
--Matsuo Basho
A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.
--Lao Tzu
Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds...
--Albert Einstein
Not only individual spirits, but societal spirits as well, most notably any enlightened society, that had a conscience and took care of all its members, not just its socially elite, (including many tribal societies) were subjected to violent opposition.Throughout history small minded, greedy, self-absorbed despots (and their elite financial backers/partners) have violently repressed, conquered, overthrown, enslaved, and otherwise eradicated all societies with any real or perceived social equality. Why? This because they and their financiers have vested interests in keeping things stratified, with them at the top. They operate on the assumption that there is not enough to go around, and that they deserve to have and control it all, that those not of their class deserve nothing but hunger, disease, and death. But, there is a new paradigm… and that based on the fact that there is enough to go around, that we have the technology now to raise the standard of living for every person on this planet to at least that of the richest among us in the last century… And future potential is practically limitless… according to the late Buckminster Fuller (one of those great spirits, and of our time).Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.
--Napoleon Bonaparte
The enemy is anybody who's going to get you killed, no matter which side he's on.
--Joseph Heller
PoA (Prince of Ardentia): We have suffered since you blasted our kingdom. I can offer you [tribute] nothing this year except my loyalty.
Ming: We prize nothing more highly.
Clitus: And how great is this loyalty to your emperor?
PoA: Without measure.
Ming: We are delighted to hear it… Fall on your sword.
PoA: DEATH TO MING!!
ZZZZAAAP…
I’ve been observing the gathering storm… (election 08) with a mixture of hope and despair… Hope, that any change will be for the better, but despair in the realization that anyone running for any national office is so indebted to the established powers (or they’d never have gotten in any position to run) that real societal improvement (equal access to work, good health, and the pursuit of happiness) will only be viable for the wealthiest among us. It has always been so, and (apparently) always will be… While it is true that in a democracy, society can dictate terms to the wealthiest among us, but those in power (who are not already among the wealthiest) are beholden to them for financing their political ambitions… and nothing really changes… The lavish financing and spin marketing of candidates convinces even educated voters to vote against their own best interests and in favor of the status quo…All conservatism is based in fear (all kinds of fears, but mainly fear of change), and as Muad Dib said, “Fear is the mind killer.”I'm always reminded of Mencken when elections (or anything political) is taking place:
"I believe that all government is evil, and that trying to improve it is largely a waste of time."
