In the process of preparing my new place, I’m struck by how much I’ve accumulated. And, for the most part, I like it. I like my things.
But recent loss has led me to wonder, what about when I’m gone.. What then? Who does the accumulated dross of life go to?
For most, its their children. Those who are left behind.
And then what? Will this stuff matter to them? Probably not. Maybe some things.
So, I guess, what’s the point? Something I’ll have to think about.
I was discussing writing recently, and the question of whether there was any fear with putting work out came up. The thought of criticism, dislike, or similar result can cause writer’s block, or other issues.
But, I’m not sure that’s the worst case. What if what you’re putting out doesn’t even matter, to you or the reader?
Stakes. An artist needs stakes. Otherwise, is it even art? Not that everything has to be life and death, but there should be a little blood on the page.
America is an immigrant country.
We may try to ignore that fact, or dispute it.
But we only do so at our own detriment.
We interweave in a way that makes sense, and yet doesn’t. Every human interaction is a part of a larger ecosystem of connectivity.
We do not operate in a vacuum.
When acting, it should be the very least we can do to consider those who may be affected by those actions.
We live in a time where so much is dedicated to self-optimization.
On its surface, prioritizing our “best life” seems like it should be a benefit.
But what are the costs? Do we beat ourselves up over missing some arbitrary benchmark?
Focusing on relentlessly improving every aspect of life can lead to anxiety, burnout, and a feeling of never being enough. So that’s something to caution against, or least consider before embracing.
Most failures are thought of us negatives. But here, in the start of the year, it’s a reminder that beginning again is just as posisble on any day.
A failure is momentary, and the ability to begin again is possible every time.
Recent reflections have led me to wonder whether there is another way – something between believing what your told and ignoring it completely.
What happened to critical thought? Don’t we use it regularly? So why is it sometimes so difficult to exhibit?
What is the way to Taisan? Continue straight ahead.
My focus for the new year. From the Oxford Dictionary:
re·a·lign·ment
/ˌrēəˈlīnm(ə)nt/
noun
It sounds simple. Change or restore. An adjustment.
But the act of change, I think most would agree, can certainly be complicated.
And to maintain that for a year… well, that’s why most resolutions fail.
With new things happening so quickly last year, it was often like I was swimming upstream. I’ve moved, started new jobs, and tried to juggle a number of creative projects.
What I realized was that, for starters: There isn’t enough time. But, in an attempt to make it make sense, I looked for systems that could assist me in keeping on top of everything.
And this required building infrastructure.
As I go through this year, I’ll elaborate on them. Omit some, gather others. I need some time to reflect on each individually, and measure how they work for extended periods of time.
For most, 2025 was another in a line of several unusual years. It seems that since the pandemic, each year brings new challenges, new opportunities, and new …
As I work on my Year-In-Review, it occurs to me that I’ve allowed this blog to sit fallow, which I suppose was partly because I’d been looking for something to say.
How do we talk? What do we say? The climate is incendiary, and maybe we’re failing to rise to the occasion.
That is to say, none of us really know what we’re doing. And that’s my starting point.
Happy new year.
Michael's Musings 