inthemind Blog Comments (547)

RE: Thinking

Hi Leo!

Okay ... a life that is richer, fuller ... from my own viewpoint, this does require thought ... to appreciate all the wonder of a butterfly ... you must focus your attention ... consider the elements of nature that bring about creatures like this ... when you see them and you smile, the smile lasts longer if you've put some mental effort into your appreciation of the moment.

To others... intuition leads them through their day... and they appreciate the butterfly too ... but likely just for a moment ... as some other distraction keeps their attention moving about ...

It's a different experience. I'm not sure why we choose to consider more and others choose not to ...

@trisher - Yes, I do believe that thinking takes more effort ... the questions I would have are:

What makes this effort appealing to us? Did we choose to be this way?

RE: Thinking

@leonack - 1st comment -

Many nuances to this... instinct is easy, natural and self-protecting (if your instincts lead you into conflict, your instincts will turn on your defenses for you... they'll inspire you to argue... and might eventually inspire you to reach peace).

There's a certain amount of "just going along for the ride" when you follow your instincts ... I don't like that part ... seems like a way to avoid effort and responsibility. Also seems a bit reckless...

But --- many people have navigated life with some manner of success while being mostly instinct-driven!

However --- to think and consider --- to live life deliberately and on purpose --- a very different experience indeed.

RE: OH HAPPY HAPPY NEW YEAR'S

Happy New Year, neighbor!

The best to you in 2012!

RE: HappppppppppppY New Year everyone love peace!! ch

To everyone's troops!

... and some wishes that they'll have less and less to do in the coming years.

RE: The Nicest Gift of All

I have an aunt who didn't like being called "Grandma" so her grand-kids referred to her as "Nana" or just "Nan".

I've heard "Nona" (Italian) used as well.

RE: Tired of christmas.

Hi Sands!

I-don't-Mind ... whatever works

I've been reading a little about economics. Not just how to pass value around (basic trade) but how to create it (from the bucket, to the mule cart, to the truck, to the train ... each progressively more efficient).

Do you think it's a good idea to entice consumption like this? Do we create a wealthier society (in all ways), a wiser one, a healthier one? ....... complicated ... but I understand your thinking. ... trade is a basic human equalizer ... it creates opportunity for many and opportunity brings hope ... a wonderful ingredient in happiness!

RE: Tired of christmas.

I wish Christmas came without Santa and trees and lights. I with Christmas came quietly and made us think more... appreciate more... and reach out more to each other.

Having said that --- Santa is cool and I enjoy the smile on the kid's faces at the mall. ... and the ones who want to meet "Santa" but cry when they get close to him ... and the presents openned by the young ones ... my young nephews were putting together their new Lego sets yesterday ... and the lights in the neighborhood look festive at night! ...

For me, there are two Christmases ... a religious holiday and a non-religious one. I appreciate both of them. ... too many seem to think they are the same thing though ... a mixed message and I think the more meaningful message gets overpowered by the bright lights and shopping malls.

Happy boxing day!

(I learned about this from the Canadians ... didn't know about it until I moved to Buffalo in the 80's)

RE: A Christian Christmas in Snowy Iran

An interesting article ... and nice pictures. It's good to see "normal" ... we often lose site of the day-to-day sites and normal lives of people in countries we don't know very well.

Whatever radio commentator is being referred to clearly doesn't understand this perspective.

RE: XMAS JOY

and Christmas ... perhaps some magic in the day ...

RE: Christmas in Tehran,Iran

Wow! ... That's a lot of Santa's

Hi Kamrani

Thank you for sharing! Santas with saxes ... and pine trees ... Christmas trees ...

Yes... a social holiday too ... great observation.

I'll be traveling to see my mother tomorrow... and brother and sisters and several nieces and nephews... we laugh a lot when we're together... it will be an enjoyable day.

RE: Are You Agree ?

@Parti - Watersnake? Waterwheel? Water World? ...

RE: Are You Agree ?

Peace, Brother. Guess Richard M. was trying to be hip or something ... there was a photo ... before entering an airplane ... dual peace signs went up and a smile for the cameras ... yep, Richard M. Nixon ... (only with smaller teeth )

RE: Are You Agree ?

@Jim - - This always reminds me of Pres. Nixon
--- Wise words ... perhaps this is the view of an optimist ... willing to put effort in for the value of the effort alone ... not dependent the 'effort' being returned by someone else.

@Zweet - Life and love --- does more love mean more happiness/sadness or are these not directly related?

RE: the blues

Zweet - yeah ... it's a big planet ... and we're far apart ... cool to know you (and others) ... wouldn't have met without CS ... but not-at-all-easy to get together for cocoa.

RE: Are You Agree ?

Happiness and sadness in equal measure?

If you love, you risk sadness ... if you don't love, you limit happiness.

I try to tip the scale towards happiness ... for me and for those around me.

I think we can learn habits in life that help... things like visiting blogs that add to our happiness and staying away from the ones that bring sadness.

RE: the blues

and these folks ... and this... and this

RE: Coming out

Some people rigidly hold on to their view of "normal".

Some people live a life they would not choose because they feel they have to conform to what others think.

It's a complicated topic but it is important that you find your own happiness... we each owe that to ourselves. Often there is someone in our lives who doesn't understand...

You'll figure it out over time... no simple answers to this one.

RE: Here are a couple of photos from a few days ago.

SK - The 2nd one... the added interest in having the sun sitting on the clouds... and the narrowing of perspective as the beach extends into the distance on the right... Cool!

The first shows some nice colors on the horizon... an interesting effect but would need to zoom in to make it more interesting.

Thanks for sharing!

RE: Rufus Viking

6 weeks ... being careful is good I suppose ... hope it goes well ... that energy returns.

RE: ¡Viva La Patriótica Resistencia Antiimperialista D

Post a link and use your own words please. The opinion of someone not on CS doesn't have value for me.

People should know (you too) that however they try to express their best of intentions, others will judge them by the worst of the possible intentions. All politicians struggle with this and we all struggle with listening to politicians because of this.

Using stronger words doesn't change opinions into facts, and most of this is just opinion.

A bunch of people were right about the concerns with Iraq and a bunch were wrong ... and a bunch who were wrong now claim they were right ...

I am glad that it's (essentially) over ... and I hope the Iraqi people are able to find a far better future than what they would have had if Sadam were still around.

RE: Rufus

Glad it's all working out!

It'll be good to see our favorite viking around here again

It's nice to have this bit of community here at CS ... getting to know people from pictures and words ... and we're all still just regular folks with regular joys and sorrows ...

RE: how to cope with life on our own before involving

@bsooner

RE: how to cope with life on our own before involving

Hi ExitMadrid!

It's important for us to be complete on our own ... to be able to find our own balance and our own path to happiness.

It's more meaningful to find happiness with someone else but if we require them, then we're incomplete in some way (and we're dependent on them to provide the balance/happiness we're unable to find on our own).

Social contact ... including virtual places like CS, is important to our balance... our level of emotional energy... and our happiness.

RE: Angels among us

A bit of a miracle that everyone (in your car and others who could have potentially been involved) is safe. Yes - Have to think someone was watching out for you.

Part of the lesson, which I'm sure you know, is that a smooth, quiet ride in a modern car feels much safer than it is. You're very fortunate - thank you for sharing your experience with us!

RE: Bad news

okay ... sounds like he's stable and in good hands. Encouraging news. Thanks!

RE: As I remember it.....

Hi honeybzz!

Technology is our friend and laziness is a choice.

In the past, the effort of living filled the day. There was limited time for other pursuits.

Technology has allowed us more freedom. The challenge lies in how we use this freedom; the time that we now have to do whatever we wish.

I don't worry about how others use their leisure time. We all could be more productive, but that's not what freedom is for. Freedom is for the pursuit of happiness (for ourselves and others) and it's not for us to judge others.

We should just look at ourselves and think about how we use the freedoms of time/leisure/energy in our own lives.

Good topic!

RE: Life is lonely without FRIENDS

My eyes see each other in the mirror each morning... and they wink... and blink... and ask if they can go back to sleeping.

My best friends right now... probably my family... my siblings... and a couple of friends from long ago who I still feel this way about. Most people want less-serious relationships in their lives... not too common to find this sort of friend.

RE: Bad news

Best hopes and prayers for Rowdy...

Thanks for sharing the news... hope he does well for the docs.

RE: heyyyyyyyy CS

Gbu?

It depends on who's driving.

More seriously - "church" is wherever you are and whoever you are with; so it doesn't matter.

Let's use Jesus instead... God doesn't go to church. The church goes to Him.

Jesus, at least the one who was on Earth... what would Jesus do? I think the answer lies in what shows the most glory/admiration/appreciation to/of God.

RE: It's all about looks

Regarding appearance - I'm not attracted more or less if someone is wearing glasses.

One thing having glasses does tell me - you know you're frail like the rest of us. You know you're mortal like the rest of us.

When we're young, it seems that life will last forever... as will our health and our energy. With age and experience we learn that life is precious and finite.

I don't think glasses hold someone back from happiness or achievement but having a chronic medical condition, even if just an inconvenience most of the time; this helps someone understand and appreciate the value of life a little sooner I think.

In this way - someone wearing glasses appears to be more mature to me.