http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hg33ahIoOVY&feature=related
I've been getting increasingly saddened by the recent police violence.
When I was young, I wanted to help people. Wanted to be a police officer. If I had made it (my heart wasn't strong enough, physically), I'm sure I would have quit because of the police actions against peaceful protesters.
http://youtu.be/WmJmmnMkuEM
I'm still moving from one apartment to the other. Still horrendously busy because of it. I really hate moving.
On a side note, I've noticed that the facebook access to my thoughts and other people's thoughts, are really invasive. I really don't care to see how many of my friends are bored, or have passed their math tests. Some statuses do interest me, but for the most part, about 80% don't. Other than the major learning factor, and a minor in entertainment, computers and other tv type communication, is really starting to annoy me.
Saturday, 19 November 2011
Tuesday, 1 November 2011
Michel Daw wrote:
Seneca likewise recommended self observation in the form of making a daily review of ourselves. Each night as we retire for the evening we should put these questions to ourselves: What bad habit have you cured today?, What fault have you resisted?, In what respect are you better? Seneca suggests that our sleep will be more tranquil, having 'sifted' through the whole day and admonished or praised ourselves appropriately. The practice of having to answer for that day's behavior will help us stay mindful and hold up in our continuous effort to make progress.
As I am continually working on my customer service, I believe I am consistantly resisting the urge to tell my clients what I think about their petty problems. I'm not even using my passive aggressive comments. At least, not out loud.
Seneca likewise recommended self observation in the form of making a daily review of ourselves. Each night as we retire for the evening we should put these questions to ourselves: What bad habit have you cured today?, What fault have you resisted?, In what respect are you better? Seneca suggests that our sleep will be more tranquil, having 'sifted' through the whole day and admonished or praised ourselves appropriately. The practice of having to answer for that day's behavior will help us stay mindful and hold up in our continuous effort to make progress.
As I am continually working on my customer service, I believe I am consistantly resisting the urge to tell my clients what I think about their petty problems. I'm not even using my passive aggressive comments. At least, not out loud.
1) Put thought into what form your journal will take. I originally had a small notebook, but later moved to the notebook app on my smartphone because the convenience of it made it easier to always have nearby, and since I always have my phone, I could easily review it each day. Think about what will work best for you in the long run.
2) Ask: What were my most significant failures today in my spiritual practice?
3) Ask: Did I perform all the regular practices I planned to?
4) Ask: Did the traits I am trying to cultivate hold up under the day's events? (think specifically through the events of the day and if you performed as you'd preferred)
5) Ask: What did I do right and where did I make progress? (it is important to look for things to praise as well)
6) Ask: What do I plan to do tomorrow that will further improve my habits and my spiritual practice? (these might be disciplines, better adherence to practices, read/study more, work harder, better mindfulness or things such as being more compassionate, considerate, or being kinder in demeanor, and more)
7) The next morning, re-read your previous night's entry. You will be surprised how well it helps you reset your focus and stay on the path. If you need to, read it again later in the day too.
Wednesday, 26 October 2011
Oct 25, '11
I've dipped low in my normal cycle. So for the past week haven't felt like doing anything productive.
Usually I'm in complete control of my emotions. Having emotions is what we all share. Me losing control makes me feel weak. I hate that. I punched a hole through the drywall the other day. I allowed my anger to over rule my thoughts. Haven't done that since I was a kid.
So low cycle, stress of us moving (within next two weeks), and my own wife's cycle (altered due to the meds she takes), built up. I fixed the hole. I am damn good at what I do. That's not the point.
It's just yet another sign of my changing mental thought process, as I age.
Usually I'm in complete control of my emotions. Having emotions is what we all share. Me losing control makes me feel weak. I hate that. I punched a hole through the drywall the other day. I allowed my anger to over rule my thoughts. Haven't done that since I was a kid.
So low cycle, stress of us moving (within next two weeks), and my own wife's cycle (altered due to the meds she takes), built up. I fixed the hole. I am damn good at what I do. That's not the point.
It's just yet another sign of my changing mental thought process, as I age.
Tuesday, 18 October 2011
Oct 18, '11
Weekend was really busy. One very important thing I learned. Well, two really. One was, if you have a gps, for geocaching, use it to mark where you parked, before you go into the woods.
Two, I don't have to be an asshole to everyone :)
So for the past two days, in my building, I've gotten stuck in the elevator. Not a big thing. I just wish they'd fix the elevators, totally. They spend money on them, piece by piece, but not all at once. They way they are, the techs are always trying to mesh new parts with old. A hard job. We had the door locks, for the elevators changed last year. Approx 300k just for my building. So, it comes down to money. Which sucks, when I'm stuck in the elevator.
I haven't been pondering much lately.
Two, I don't have to be an asshole to everyone :)
So for the past two days, in my building, I've gotten stuck in the elevator. Not a big thing. I just wish they'd fix the elevators, totally. They spend money on them, piece by piece, but not all at once. They way they are, the techs are always trying to mesh new parts with old. A hard job. We had the door locks, for the elevators changed last year. Approx 300k just for my building. So, it comes down to money. Which sucks, when I'm stuck in the elevator.
I haven't been pondering much lately.
Monday, 10 October 2011
Oct 10, 2011
Hmm. Thanksgiving. Many different thoughts, so we're just going to roll with it ...
I am still working, and my wife left me ... to visit her mom. A friend of mine brought me Thanksgiving dinner from where she works. So I had a nice dinner. Quiet, but nice.
I am not sure what I have extra to be thankful for. Tis the season to be thankful, I'm told. Well, Sherrie bought me a used, but efficient, net book for our anniversary. It is coming up this Friday. The net book also has a camera in it, so it will make my online stoic courses a bit easier. I don't have to keep borrowing others' laptops.
I'm thankful for Sherrie, keeping me grounded, not as a ground, but I have to make sure that I'm her ground or anchor. We've been together since 2000. Strangely enough, we met on an online dating site. I had been broken up with my past girlfriend for a few years, and pretty much had given up on the dating scene. It just happened one day, and we've been together since.
We were married in 2005, Oct 14th. We were going to get married on Halloween, but it's my mom's anniversary, and HER birthday. I know I'm a momma's boy, I just don't want to share too much stuff with her :D
So anyway, it is just a coincidence that a couple of my friends from Cambridge are coming up, and having a stop over in Ottawa on Friday. We're taking them out for dinner. When I turned 40, it was nothing special. I spent the night at home. Sherrie was in the hospital, and I was working. It was a Saturday evening. Nothing out of the ordinary happened, other than my workmate taking the on call responsibility every few hours so I could visit Sherrie.
So that being said, I'm thankful that Sherrie will be hale, and we will be entertaining guests on our anniversary. Also for, Chewie. He's a great dog. Makes Sherrie happy. And thankful that I try to keep my karma balance in check.
I am still working, and my wife left me ... to visit her mom. A friend of mine brought me Thanksgiving dinner from where she works. So I had a nice dinner. Quiet, but nice.
I am not sure what I have extra to be thankful for. Tis the season to be thankful, I'm told. Well, Sherrie bought me a used, but efficient, net book for our anniversary. It is coming up this Friday. The net book also has a camera in it, so it will make my online stoic courses a bit easier. I don't have to keep borrowing others' laptops.
I'm thankful for Sherrie, keeping me grounded, not as a ground, but I have to make sure that I'm her ground or anchor. We've been together since 2000. Strangely enough, we met on an online dating site. I had been broken up with my past girlfriend for a few years, and pretty much had given up on the dating scene. It just happened one day, and we've been together since.
We were married in 2005, Oct 14th. We were going to get married on Halloween, but it's my mom's anniversary, and HER birthday. I know I'm a momma's boy, I just don't want to share too much stuff with her :D
So anyway, it is just a coincidence that a couple of my friends from Cambridge are coming up, and having a stop over in Ottawa on Friday. We're taking them out for dinner. When I turned 40, it was nothing special. I spent the night at home. Sherrie was in the hospital, and I was working. It was a Saturday evening. Nothing out of the ordinary happened, other than my workmate taking the on call responsibility every few hours so I could visit Sherrie.
So that being said, I'm thankful that Sherrie will be hale, and we will be entertaining guests on our anniversary. Also for, Chewie. He's a great dog. Makes Sherrie happy. And thankful that I try to keep my karma balance in check.
Sunday, 9 October 2011
Oct 09, 2011
Today, I was on call (started my on call on Friday). Since I woke up, I was running between emergencies. I had breakfast around 2:30pm. Supper was around 7pm. I didn't get to start my regular cleaning and such, until after 5pm. Normally, my regular stuff gets done between 8am-12pm. It was just crazy busy.
One of three weeks, I am on call. 17 weeks of the year, I am on call. I look at it as, I work 40 hours a week, and then 1 of 3, weeks, I pay my rent with labour. I won't get into the specifics here. Labour often allows me to think clearly. Today, I was just in reaction mode. No conscious thought required.
So today, I don't have much to say. It has taken me about 20 minutes to get this far.
More tomorrow. Oh, I don't bother to label my posts. I am more anonymous with out being tagged.
One of three weeks, I am on call. 17 weeks of the year, I am on call. I look at it as, I work 40 hours a week, and then 1 of 3, weeks, I pay my rent with labour. I won't get into the specifics here. Labour often allows me to think clearly. Today, I was just in reaction mode. No conscious thought required.
So today, I don't have much to say. It has taken me about 20 minutes to get this far.
More tomorrow. Oh, I don't bother to label my posts. I am more anonymous with out being tagged.
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