The School of Practical Philosophy

I've just finished up my first ten-session class in the beautiful mansion on the hill in Aro Valley, Wellington.  I participated in weekly two-and-a-half hour discussions on contemplating ways a wise person would approach decision making, finding moments to pause and tune in to the senses, knowing thyself, considering levels of awareness, being present, balancing the different sources of energy in life, acting justly, using reason, considering beauty, exploring unity and seeking truth.  I learned something every time and established a foundation on which to build a more solid (and, I hope, more fun to be around) Anna.  I can't believe I have to wait nearly two months to start the next class!  With the hours I'll have free I guess I could get inspired to find some supportive material at the library in the meantime or begin the long journey back into physical shape.

Sending thoughts of love and peace across cyberspace to you.

No More Shortcuts

I've burned a few bridges on this leg
And have eaten the humblest pie
I've tasted my toes and masqued with egg
Climbing down from my horse so high

It seems that my britches may have shrunk
Coinciding with "Banquet Self"
The poppy-mowing landscaper punk
Knew my pride belongs on the shelf

At last reality's fully checked
Any ruffled feathers were plucked
I'll start at the bottom, EARN respect
And embrace the system I bucked.

PSA for the EQC

Can be sung over the tune of "Special" from Avenue Q.

So, the woman you ALL will want to hear
The Newtown Community Centre is proud to present
Fresh from her world tour, headlining in
Haiti, Japan and Christchurch, New Zealand.
Please give a warm hand to
The star of Mother Nature Fights Back, Quake Safe Your Home and Survive a Tsunami
Lizzie the Safety Officer!


I can help you feel certain
That you’d know what to do
I can help you get ready
For a 7.2

The risks that we face just repeat each day
Think and know when you’d go and where you’d stay
And maybe you feel like, “It won’t hit here.”
But all the same, it’s good to prep some gear.


[Spoken: Yeah, they’re real (while showing the earthquake risk map).]


In other places the earth holds still
And seawater stays in the sea
But you might move to let down your guard
And get fires or flooding in your backyard

Some will accelerando but you can ritard with me
With me…
Others panic and speed up but you can stay calm and ritard with me.

Birth, Death and Disrespectful Idiots

(Tahoenathan's photograph of some Death Valley sand dunes looking East toward Nevada)

The great circle of life still feels scarily close. I don't know why I thought it might just be a strange phenomenon of 2010. I am over the moon for people I know who are starting a family of their own and/or creating precious new additions to their team. Each death of a family member, a friend or a friend's relation affects me in a distinct way, though.

Lately I have been considering the importance and various manners of finding closure. I would imagine that ever since people have died and left survivors rituals have been created to comfort those still alive.

Why do some people feel like nothing will ever matter, again? Why do some choose to push others away? Aren't we able to decide how attached we are to people or events? What is the right balance in the illusion of control or going with the flow of life's challenges?

I could certainly ask myself the last two questions when I encounter people who seem to take everything for granted and act as thought the world revolves around their every whim. Looking at the bigger picture reminds me that they don't have to figure in to my day.

(Public domain image of a cool lightning storm over Boston from NOAA, taken by a Boston Globe photographer)