Beauty is a short-lived tyranny.

Posted on 1 April 2011 by philosiblog

Beauty is a short-lived tyranny. – Socrates

90 years ago, this was the height of fashion. How much has it changes, really?

What does that mean?
In the age of Botox and plastic surgery, Beauty can be a much longer-lived tyranny than Socrates first believed. 8)

This saying is particularly interesting to me, as I believe this had different meanings to Men and Women.  To Men, I believe the tyranny of beauty is all the things they do to entice it, capture it, and keep it, only to find that, like a flower, it only lasts so long.

To Women, I believe the tyranny of beauty is the effort and time (and, often, no small amount of pain – waxing comes to mind) required to be considered beautiful, and, for as long as they can, stave off the inevitable effects of aging.

So, for the purpose of this post, let’s get a definition of beauty, shall we? At thefreedictionary.com, it says beauty is “The quality that gives pleasure to the mind or senses…”

Wow!  Doesn’t that sound like it is going to be incredibly subjective?   Historically, there have been many odd (by modern ‘civilized’ society) definitions of beauty, including: small (bound) feet, oblong (bound) heads, stretched necks (long), pierced and stretched ears & lips, patterned scaring & tattoos. These definitions of beauty tended to be long term (multiple lifetimes), so you didn’t have to worry about tastes changing during your lifetime.

However, many of these modifications, were often debilitating to greater or lesser degrees.  And women today complain about the pain of fashionable shoes.  In the present, hair, hemlines, heels & makeup change with the season.  Fortunately, other than the financial investment, there isn’t too much pain involved with the change in tastes.

Why is beauty important? Continue reading →

Posted in beauty, deception, happiness, ideals, judgement, value | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Beauty is a short-lived tyranny.

slight adjustment to timing of posts

Posted on 1 April 2011 by philosiblog

Just going to (hopefully) align the dropping of posts to a time more natural to my thinking, given my location.  See you in just a few short hours!

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on slight adjustment to timing of posts

As the sun makes ice melt, kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust, and hostility to evaporate.

Posted on 31 March 2011 by philosiblog

As the sun makes ice melt, kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust, and hostility to evaporate. – Albert Schweitzer

That is quite a nice peace offering. I sure hope it doesn't come back marked "Return to Sender!"

What does that mean?
When I’m mad at someone, often because I think they’re being mean, or there has been some kind of misunderstanding or loss of trust, being cold can be a very accurate description of how I would feel towards them.

A “frosty reception”, an “icy stare”, a “cold shoulder” or a “chill in the air” all are words you’ve probably read in a book or heard narrated on radio, television or a movie.  As the first part of the saying goes, the sun melts ice, so can kindness melt the ice of a frosty relationship.

Why is kindness important? Continue reading →

Posted in chocolate, empathy, forgiveness, humility, kindness, persistence | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Great spirits have always faced violent opposition from mediocre minds.

Posted on 30 March 2011 by philosiblog

Great spirits have always faced violent opposition from mediocre minds. – Albert Einstein

If you get a bright idea, expect some push-back from mediocre minds.

What does that mean?
Like many things Einstein said, there’s a very simple core, but often, many words are needed to get just the right flavor.  Dissected, great spirits, violent opposition & mediocre minds are the key portions of the quote.  In order, great spirits would be those who do, think, or advocate for change for the betterment of humanity.

Violent opposition would be the actions taken by the establishment, ranging from slander and protest to incarceration and even assassination.  Mediocre minds would be the bureaucrats staffing the establishment and all who have bought into the established order (the stake-holders who would have their world inverted by the new order).

To me, they are words of encouragement to those who would try to bring change for the betterment of humanity.  Telling them to wear the opposition as a badge of honor, a signpost telling them they were on the correct path.  An encouragement to stay the course and keep after the goal despite all the storm and fury outside.

Why is vision important? Continue reading →

Posted in accomplishment, opposition, passion, question, struggle, vision | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Sometimes we expect more from others because we’d be willing to do that much for them them.

Posted on 29 March 2011 by philosiblog

Sometimes we expect more from others because we’d be willing to do that much for them them. – Unknown

When you're hung up on a bull is not a good time to find out that the rodeo clowns aren't as interested in helping you as you would like.

What does that mean?
To me, it speaks of optimism and generosity, of giving and of love.  Most of us have probably had friends for whom we’d do almost anything (or more).  The single word that encompasses all of these traits is, in my view, loyalty.

Most of us have probably had friends who wouldn’t do anywhere near as much for us.  In some cases, it may be that the other person doesn’t really care that much (perhaps a bit too self centered).  In most cases, I would imagine it is because they don’t consider you as good a friend as you consider them.  I use the word “good” here not as a value judgment (good vs evil), but as a measure from really good friend down to acquaintance.

Why is loyalty important? Continue reading →

Posted in chocolate, communication, friendship, help, loyalty, motivation | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

One cannot refuse to eat just because there is a chance of being choked.

Posted on 28 March 2011 by philosiblog

One cannot refuse to eat just because there is a chance of being choked. – Chinese Proverbs

"Did ya see the size of the Meatballs? I'm scared that I might choke!" Perhaps you could cut them into smaller portions and enjoy life.

What does that mean?
To me, this speaks to fear – a fear that paralyzes, a fear that stops us dead in our tracks.  What would happen to us if we were to stop eating?  You’d die pretty soon thereafter, right?  But there is always a chance you will choke, even die, each time you eat.  But eat we must, so eat we do (say it in a Yoda voice).

The same can be said of crossing the street. You could get hit by a bus (or a car or a delivery rider or a taxi or…). So do you stay indoors all day? Or do you learn to live with some level of risk and do your best to enjoy your life? I know which choice is right for me, but we all have different levels of comfort with risk, and must make our own decisions.

Why is living despite fear important? Continue reading →

Posted in caution, contemplation, doing, fear, risk, tolerance | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Anger: an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured.

Posted on 27 March 2011 by philosiblog

Anger: an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured. – Lucius Annaeus Seneca (Seneca the Younger)

Wow, someone's angry. Is it doing more harm to her or her parents?

What does that mean?
This phrase, in a slightly different wording, is also frequently attributed to Mark Twain, but I think Seneca probably said it first.  To me, this quote means that if you bottle up your anger, you are the container, and it will do more damage to you than to the person at whom you are angry.

Have you ever felt that anger day after day after day, just eating at you?  I have, and have learned to not hold anger for any longer than necessary.  I try to get rid of the anger as soon as possible, and by so doing, limit the damage it’s acidic effects can do to me. I hope you will consider a similar outlook.

Why is the management of anger important? Continue reading →

Posted in anger, contemplation, delay, forgiveness, reflection, understanding | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Humor is mankind’s greatest blessing.

Posted on 26 March 2011 by philosiblog

Humor is mankind’s greatest blessing. – Mark Twain

Don Rickles' humor isn't for everyone. Consider who you might be offending before you tell a joke.

What does that mean?
To me, it means that the ability to laugh is the best part of being human, the big difference between humans and all the other creatures of the earth.  It is a great way to relieve stress, unless you take it personally.  I would imagine most of you have had a great laugh at sometime in your life, and can appreciate how good it helped you to feel.

I would also imagine that most of you have also felt the other edge of the sword of humor; when you were the butt of the joke, or your ox was being gored (follow the link if you need a hint).  This double edged-ness (if that is a word) is also used by some comedians at “roasts” or as their shtick (Don Rickles, for example).  This should also caution us in our attempts to use of “humor”.

Why is laughter important? Continue reading →

Posted in empathy, friendship, humor, judgement, laughter, relaxation | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Humor is mankind’s greatest blessing.

Peace and friendship with all mankind is our wisest policy, and I wish we may be permitted to pursue it.

Posted on 25 March 2011 by philosiblog

Peace and friendship with all mankind is our wisest policy, and I wish we may be permitted to pursue it. – Thomas Jefferson

"Ewww, do I have to sit next to ..." Really? Cooperate, at least for a little while.

What does that mean?
To me, it speaks of the losses of war.  In a war, no one wins, one side just lose less.  That said, there are reasons to go to war, in my opinion.  The idealist in Jefferson wants peace, but the caveat he places at the end shows the pragmatist that coexists with the idealist within him.

The premise is that we achieve the most gain when both parties cooperate.  However, there are leaders and countries which have, at various points in time, been utterly intractable.  For instance, how would you have cooperated with Nero?  With Attila the Hun?  With the marauding tribes of “barbarians” during the contraction and fall of Rome, and the centuries after?  By all means, pursue peace.  Just keep a pointed stick handy (or whatever might be more effective, technology permitting).

Why is cooperation important? Continue reading →

Posted in cooperation, friendship, governance, ideals, peace, wisdom | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Peace and friendship with all mankind is our wisest policy, and I wish we may be permitted to pursue it.

Once a word leaves your mouth, you cannot chase it back even with the swiftest horse.

Posted on 24 March 2011 by philosiblog

Once a word leaves your mouth, you cannot chase it back even with the swiftest horse. – Chinese Proverbs

"No, wait! That's not what I meant! Really it's not!" Ooops!

What does that mean?
To me, the quote is saying that something that is said, cannot be un-said.  If you say it, type it, post it, e-mail it or even think it too loudly, the deed is done.  There is no un-delete feature, no save-game from a few moments ago, no undo button to click on.

Horses were the best they had back then, and that wasn’t fast enough.  Today, oops can happen at the speed of light (the speed electronic information moves at, at least until it hits the next server).

The quote warns us to carefully weigh what we are about to say and to make sure we say what we mean. There is always a possibility that what is said will be misunderstood, but that chance goes up dramatically if we are not careful.

Why is patience in communication important? Continue reading →

Posted in communication, delay, discipline, patience, personal growth, shame, struggle | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop.

Posted on 23 March 2011 by philosiblog

It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop. – Confucius

Chocolate Ice Cream! Ok, so it's a diet fail! Don't give up, don't stop! Just keep going!

What does that mean?
Keep on keeping on! Go the distance. It isn’t over until I win. However you want to word it, you keep moving in the direction of your goal. Some goals come easily. Others take weeks, years, even a lifetime (or more). Don’t stop. Don’t let any setback, no matter how trivial or how severe, stop you.

If you find a mountain in your way, go over it or around it. If you find a ravine in your way, build a bridge or climb down & back out. You might not make much forward progress during the time you are surmounting your obstacle, but you are still moving towards the goal.

Why is perseverance important? Continue reading →

Posted in chocolate, discipline, flexibility, goals, perseverance, plan | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop.

Keep your face always toward the sunshine – and shadows will fall behind you.

Posted on 22 March 2011 by philosiblog

Keep your face always toward the sunshine – and shadows will fall behind you. – Walt Whitman

Face the sun, and let the shadows fall where they may.

What does that mean?
Many people find shadows kind of scary, and they are a metaphor for the things that would bother you if you saw them regularly, or focused on them.  Many people also find the sun on their face to be rather pleasant, when done in moderation.  Put together, facing the sun puts your shadow behind you (you aren’t afraid of your own shadow, are you?).

To me, it is a way of staying optimistic.  I think may be part lizard (or part cat), and love having sunshine on me (up to the point of burning).  If I go any length of time without clear bright sunshine, I get sad and depressed.  So I accentuate the positive by keeping the sunshine on my face to feel better, and eliminate the negative by facing away from my shadow.  Smells like optimism to me.

Why is optimism important? Continue reading →

Posted in attitude, choice, focus, obstacles, optimism, vision | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Keep your face always toward the sunshine – and shadows will fall behind you.

resting

Posted on 20 March 2011 by philosiblog

This has turned out to be both more fun, and more work, than I had anticipated.  Due to my crazy schedule, I will be taking a few days off.  See ya on Monday!

Posted in patience, Uncategorized | Comments Off on resting

You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him.

Posted on 19 March 2011 by philosiblog

You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him. – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

How do you treat people, and what does that say about you?

What does that mean?
Well, most people are really nice to the people who can help them.  Weather it’s buttering them up or brown-nosing, there are a plethora of terms for being nice to those who CAN help you.  That, at some level, (in some way, shape or form) is almost expected in this day and age.

But how do most people treat those who can do nothing to help them?  Some are indifferent, others are anywhere from haughty to hostile.  On TV, you often see the rich and powerful treat underlings, staff and hired help like dirt.  It is done that way to show you their character.  So, in essence, you already know this quote, as do most script writers, and they know you know, you know?

Why is character important? Continue reading →

Posted in attitude, character, empathy, judgement, reflection, understanding | Tagged , , , , | 10 Comments

When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.

Posted on 18 March 2011 by philosiblog

When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty. – Thomas Jefferson

Got nailed in a speed trap! What are you going to do about it? What can you do about it? You can always fight City Hall!

What does that mean?
With all the present turmoil across the Eastern Mediterranean Sea and into the Arabian Peninsula, this quote seems to be appropriate.  There has been a great deal of debate between some of the greatest minds as to the role and size of a proper government.  That debate, however, is not the topic today.

Here we examine the extremes of the spectrum.  On one hand, we have Libya and Iran, where the government is actively suppressing, and even bombing the civilian population.  In many cases, this is to put the fear of government into the people.  The opposite (which is, technically what is happening: the government fears an uprising and puts it down preemptively) exists in very few places.

Where there are free and open elections, the people in the government fear for their jobs.  And that is a good thing.  However, even in the free countries, the Bureaucrat is slowly taking over… but that’s for another blog.  Proper governance is a tricky thing, and what is proper is debated even to this day.

Why is proper governance important? Continue reading →

Posted in courage, fear, freedom, governance, inspire, justice | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments