Category Archives: 100 words or less

Aspiration

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When I state my desire to remain mild in the face of aggravation I express an aspiration.  That I’m often able to remain mild is a source of happiness to me.   When I am less than mild, I understand I need to do better.  It is an ongoing aspiration, difficult but well worth cultivating.

I have to believe that as I master remaining mild fewer people will feel compelled to test my resolve.  Like a yogi in the forest calmly regarding an approaching tiger.  Except, that comparing those who provoke to approaching tigers is an insult to a great cat.

Being Tough

Just because someone can take a punch, doesn’t mean they like to be punched.  

“Look, you didn’t go down and your nose isn’t even bleeding!” says the impressed face puncher.

People are tough because they have to be.  It doesn’t mean the circumstances that make them so are to be prized, nor the ability to take a punch celebrated.  The real celebration is reserved for when you are not being punched.

De Minimis Non Curat Lex

There’s a book in this old judicial maxim “the law does not concern itself with trifles”.  An entire library of trifles with which the law does not concern itself.  One man’s trifle is another man’s indigestible, unvomitable hairball, after all.

Think of the things that may bother you most.   Trifles, virtually all of them.  The Law does not regard or concern itself with them.   Like a demented four year-old on first discovery of the equally chilling “I know you are, but what am I?” the justice system’s got one for you right here, pal.

“De minimis non curat lex“

 

Insomnia

It is a loss for me, having nobody, restless, like a phantom limb.   The illusions of connection in a world of illusion, never mind.  I suppose one should feel satisfied with a random cluck now and then.  The sun pries its way through the blinds.   Now the birds are out there, with all their idiotic opinions in the airless morning.  

Marketing 101

Among the several discreet skills the would-be smiling owner of a flourishing shop must master is Marketing.  Although there might appear to be a moral component that could hold a scrupulous person back, it ain’t necessarily so.

For example, which would you rather find on your plate?

a) a perfectly seasoned and prepared dinner of succulent beef; or

b) a plateful of the sliced flesh of a badly treated and cruelly slaughtered affectionate cow

Only a fool would try to market the product as (b).  Word to the wise, yo.