“Harmony makes small things grow, lack of it makes great things decay.”
~Sallust
What a powerful quote!
“Peace is not about silence. It is not a place without trouble or fear. Peace is standing in the middle of chaos and finding the calm in your heart.”
From a sign on the wall in my home...
It is my daily reminder...
We are all seeking the same thing, serenity...
We may call it something else, but if we peel back the layers and take a look underneath whatever’s on the outside, whatever it’s wrapped in, is this idea of serenity.
Serenity:
se·ren·i·ty
/səˈrenədē/
noun
the state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled.
My AA sponsor once offered, “There are only two states of existence. Disturbed and undisturbed.” In discussing the role of prayer, he indicated that he started each day by asking to “be okay” with whatever happened that day. To me, being okay and being undisturbed resemble each other.
Do you feel empowered when you remember that you can choose your response?
Last weekend truck and I visited a tight parking garage with a spiral ramp — twice! The second time I felt more confident than the first. I could have avoided the ramp altogether for parking in a less convenient location, but decided to move forward despite my fear.
Such a simple little experience, with a lasting impact on my confidence.
One more thing… at least twice over the weekend I heard somebody preface a share of their “truth” with… “I don’t want to be political…”
Won’t it be grand when we recognize our perspectives can be shared and respected without fear driven qualifiers? When we recognize “defense” is not necessary because we’re all on the same team?
Bottle bangers and beaters, oh my! Like Cal, I resort to hot water when needed. My better half is given to whacking the cap with a soup spoon. Some plastics just aren’t up to the job. 🤷🏽
I’d offer the thought that the impulsive banging on granite might also offer a freer flow of ideas and thoughts. Less inhibition? Like Nia, I lean toward shelving ideas that provoke a struggle or call for deliberation. Analysis paralysis? In this era of WORDLE I’m more inclined to Dawdle. 🙃
For those with an interest in Roman history around the time of Julius Caesar I’d recommend a glance at Sallus. There was an affinity between the two in some of their views of government.
I, the dawdler, found that although his lineage was “plebeian” he still associated with Julius Caesar, a “patrician.” Sallust was at times critical of Roman men, but was expelled from the Senate for “immorality.” Earlier reading taught me “moral” was interchangeable with “truthful.” Later today I read that a certain suspicion of his writings arose for two reasons:
1. He was a politician;
2. Some of his writings pertained to events that he was not involved with.
Perhaps the latter implied “speculation” by Sallust which some may have found “untruthful” or “immoral.” 🤷🏽
So, like Sallust I’m writing about matters I was not involved in. 😁
I’m delighted to have read your piece from Medium!
While at a glance one might view it as far ranging, from railroad tracks, to vegans, to voting rights, I think you did a masterful (madamful?) job exploring a range of ideas that all supported your central tenet.
That results are perhaps more likely to be found in the middle ground than in the extreme fringes. By their very nature, extreme positions and methods, to me, are a variant of the term “Shock and Awe” that was used to describe the US efforts to defeat Saddam Hussein. Iraq’s leader. I cite that to support your contention.
As for railroads, a City Park here in Tallahassee is crossed by railroad tracks. The crossing of a low, wet area is accomplished with a bridge supported by huge wooden pilings and similar bracing. When not being crossed by a freight train, the bridge seems motionless. A monolith.
So one day a group of mountain bikers, myself included, heard the train whistle off in the distance. We gathered beneath the overhead rail supports and waited.
😱😱 Between the sound and the fury of the crossing train (sorry Mr. Faulkner), the vibrations and the swaying of these huge wooden pilings indeed struck awe in some of our hearts. Speaking for myself, at least. And your comments on likely illegality for doing so on CSX property ring true with me today!
Thrill seeking today holds far less appeal than in that time of my life. In fact the middle ground makes more sense with each new day. Many thanks for your writing, Madame!
Ah! Thermal Maintenance versus Percussive Maintenance! 😁🔨🚰
Ha! Love your vocabulary addition!
“Harmony makes small things grow, lack of it makes great things decay.”
~Sallust
What a powerful quote!
“Peace is not about silence. It is not a place without trouble or fear. Peace is standing in the middle of chaos and finding the calm in your heart.”
From a sign on the wall in my home...
It is my daily reminder...
We are all seeking the same thing, serenity...
We may call it something else, but if we peel back the layers and take a look underneath whatever’s on the outside, whatever it’s wrapped in, is this idea of serenity.
Serenity:
se·ren·i·ty
/səˈrenədē/
noun
the state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled.
Indira Gandhi: You must learn to be still in the midst of activity and to be vibrantly alive in repose.
Your sign reminds me of something I once wrote about standing between two trains…
https://gailboenning.medium.com/middle-ground-affb4d423f06
My AA sponsor once offered, “There are only two states of existence. Disturbed and undisturbed.” In discussing the role of prayer, he indicated that he started each day by asking to “be okay” with whatever happened that day. To me, being okay and being undisturbed resemble each other.
Yes… and what a cultivated skill being “okay” is!
Easier sought than attained. My propensity to judge this, that, and the other leaves me at the mercy of events over which I have zero control! 😔
Do you feel empowered when you remember that you can choose your response?
Last weekend truck and I visited a tight parking garage with a spiral ramp — twice! The second time I felt more confident than the first. I could have avoided the ramp altogether for parking in a less convenient location, but decided to move forward despite my fear.
Such a simple little experience, with a lasting impact on my confidence.
One more thing… at least twice over the weekend I heard somebody preface a share of their “truth” with… “I don’t want to be political…”
Won’t it be grand when we recognize our perspectives can be shared and respected without fear driven qualifiers? When we recognize “defense” is not necessary because we’re all on the same team?
We sometimes make things so much harder for ourselves than necessary, don't we?
“Sallust” sent me searching...
I know you knew it would.
So thank you for the stimulus,
It did my noggin good.
Bottle bangers and beaters, oh my! Like Cal, I resort to hot water when needed. My better half is given to whacking the cap with a soup spoon. Some plastics just aren’t up to the job. 🤷🏽
I’d offer the thought that the impulsive banging on granite might also offer a freer flow of ideas and thoughts. Less inhibition? Like Nia, I lean toward shelving ideas that provoke a struggle or call for deliberation. Analysis paralysis? In this era of WORDLE I’m more inclined to Dawdle. 🙃
For those with an interest in Roman history around the time of Julius Caesar I’d recommend a glance at Sallus. There was an affinity between the two in some of their views of government.
My quick search of Sallust gave me: Roman philosopher
What I love about the muses is that they each seem to have their unique moments of brilliance!
I, the dawdler, found that although his lineage was “plebeian” he still associated with Julius Caesar, a “patrician.” Sallust was at times critical of Roman men, but was expelled from the Senate for “immorality.” Earlier reading taught me “moral” was interchangeable with “truthful.” Later today I read that a certain suspicion of his writings arose for two reasons:
1. He was a politician;
2. Some of his writings pertained to events that he was not involved with.
Perhaps the latter implied “speculation” by Sallust which some may have found “untruthful” or “immoral.” 🤷🏽
So, like Sallust I’m writing about matters I was not involved in. 😁
Hmmm… Thought nudging comment. Thanks Gary… for sharing your research.
Truth is a concept that vexes me because we all have our unique interpretations of what we experience.
I’m delighted to have read your piece from Medium!
While at a glance one might view it as far ranging, from railroad tracks, to vegans, to voting rights, I think you did a masterful (madamful?) job exploring a range of ideas that all supported your central tenet.
That results are perhaps more likely to be found in the middle ground than in the extreme fringes. By their very nature, extreme positions and methods, to me, are a variant of the term “Shock and Awe” that was used to describe the US efforts to defeat Saddam Hussein. Iraq’s leader. I cite that to support your contention.
As for railroads, a City Park here in Tallahassee is crossed by railroad tracks. The crossing of a low, wet area is accomplished with a bridge supported by huge wooden pilings and similar bracing. When not being crossed by a freight train, the bridge seems motionless. A monolith.
So one day a group of mountain bikers, myself included, heard the train whistle off in the distance. We gathered beneath the overhead rail supports and waited.
😱😱 Between the sound and the fury of the crossing train (sorry Mr. Faulkner), the vibrations and the swaying of these huge wooden pilings indeed struck awe in some of our hearts. Speaking for myself, at least. And your comments on likely illegality for doing so on CSX property ring true with me today!
Thrill seeking today holds far less appeal than in that time of my life. In fact the middle ground makes more sense with each new day. Many thanks for your writing, Madame!