Peak Absurdity

So Don't Wait

"You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late."

— Ralph Waldo Emerson

Want Some Good Advice?

And here are two more: avoid people who constantly disturb your peace of mind, and stop trying to fix people who don't want to be fixed.

Some Lessons to Learn

Numbers one and five seem particularly apt for me.

Throw Yourself a Grappling Hook

Fix a Broken Day

The Simple Things

"The real drawback to the simple life is that it is not simple. If you are living it, you positively can do nothing else. There is not time."

— Katharine Elizabeth Fullerton Gerould

Not Your Job

The Warmonger and the Sparrow

Ahimsa is an ancient Indian principle meaning "non-violence" or "non-injury" to all living beings. Derived from Sanskrit, it means not causing harm through physical actions, words, or even thoughts. It is a foundational ethical concept in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, and forms the first ethical guideline of yoga. — Ai summary

No Regret, No Anxiety

"People don't realize that now is all there ever is; there is no past or future except as memory or anticipation in your mind."

— Eckhart Tolle

Things Big and Little

"Boredom is the feeling that everything is a waste of time; serenity, that nothing is."

— Thomas Szasz

Calm Your Space

Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset.

— Saint Francis de Sales

Whom to Please

"To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting."

—e. e. cummings

Clear the Mind

 

“Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude.’

— Thomas Jefferson

Where and When Are We?

In the 21st century, luxury is the ability to think clearly, sleep deeply, move slowly and live quietly in a world designed to prevent all four of those things.

Now that I’m in my 70s, it occurs to me that my actual job, for the rest of my life, is to have some peace of mind and enjoy myself. 

I mean to work at that with some determination, whatever the vicissitudes that come my way.

Impermanence is Your Power

What You're Worth

 

Love of Life

--

My friend Jim Hampton remarked, "I love Mondrian. It's such a great quote and an important practice. It makes life into being like a good meal. You don't eat the entire plate's contents in one gulp. You savor each little bite and make it last."

What We Enjoy

 

happiness is not:

perfection, control or determined

by external events and people.

happiness is:

a product of your perception and

inner balance. When you define your

own energy, you bring your harmony

with you wherever you go.

 — yung pueblo

Your Ai Mindfulness Coach

Ai summary: Cures for low-level anxiety focus on natural lifestyle adjustments, stress management techniques and behavioral shifts, such as deep breathing, exercise, meditation and limiting caffeine. Effective, immediate techniques include grounding exercises (like the 5-4-3-2-1 technique), journaling and engaging in calming hobbies to reduce stress hormone levels. 

Key Natural Coping Strategies:

Grounding & Relaxation: Practice deep breathing exercises, the 5-4-3-2-1 sensory technique (five things you see, four feel, three hear, two smell, one taste), or use a weighted blanket to trigger the body’s relaxation response.

Lifestyle Adjustments: Prioritize 7-9 hours of sleep, maintain a balanced diet to avoid blood sugar drops and limit caffeine and alcohol consumption.

Physical Activity: Regular, moderate exercise or yoga helps metabolize excess stress chemicals and boosts endorphins.

Mindfulness & Routine: Meditate, journal thoughts or use a set daily routine to reduce feelings of being overwhelmed.

“What-If” Analysis: Actively challenge anxious thoughts by asking, “What is the worst-case scenario?” to stop repetitive, worrying thought cycles.