Recently...

Recently I've been side-swiped by both the pastness of my past and the myriad possibilities of my future.

To sometimes reflect on things past - to realize that they are to never be again, that is one of the hardest things to do. Not only is it a hard thing to realize, but if and when it is realized, it is incredibly emotionally challenging. But so is the realization that the future could go in any which direction....

The future. It is made by chance and by choice. A wise man once told me it is fifty-fifty. Many doubt that claim, but then they are either a) not taking advantage of their full power of choice or b) not willing to take on the incredible responsibility that even 50% of that equation would imbue (ah, existentialism).

The other 50% is always there to pick you up and swing you around when you yourself are not willing to take on the amazing burden of choice. Necessity will save you. It always will. It always has to.

The shock of truth is enough to put you in shock. It's true. As crude as it may sound.

Luckily there is padding for so many of us. Just as there is padding between your brain and the outside world; just as their is the fact that your brain really ain't that big (especially compared to an elephant's). So no worries. Bathe in stupidity, ignorance, bliss, etc. And when you're down, you may as well think that the future and past are merely equations that have already been settled. There is no choice. Your life is a foregone conclusion (a form of depression). And then you realize it is the opposite (mania).

Advice for the year:
Practice copia. Make lists. It opens minds. Then remember to be surprised every once in a while. If you're not surprised, something is probably wrong. Then again, usually a lot more than just something is wrong when it comes to human life and society (and that's okay... the sweet just wouldn't be as sweet without the sour, right? And there is no human world without the existence of bads - it is a logical necessity).