How to live

All that matters is today. I don’t have to be brave the whole year. It’s too long, too unknown. My bravery too young. If I aim for that long, I falter. 24 hours I can do. With a reset every time sleep takes me. All that matters is that I am brave today. Everyday.

Boundaries to limit volume of thought. Copious amounts of unnecessary thought stunt action. As far as I have the outline of a plan, a checklist, prescription, I leave myself x thought characters. Stopping when the limit is reached, unbreachable. Ceasing thinking, doing.

Euthymia is being a reactive flat line. With the presence of a reaction limited only to the necessary, and degree to the minimum needed to maintain steadiness and goal attainment. The only acceptable reaction to a delayed train is communicating a new expected time of arrival to folks waiting on me, and finding the most efficient transportation alternative. Annoyance here is useless. Anger an unnecessary expense.

A sense of wonder is useful. Retain it. The movement of water up across a speeding car window on a windy drizzling day is worthy of notice and documentation. The physical world is big. Texture as a concept deserves essays, hours of delicious mulling over. A child’s laugh must envelope you. Pay attention to the world.

Say no, without guilt, often. Say no to most things. Say no. Say no. Time, energy is finite. Not to be spread too thin or wasted. Say no when it hurts. Risk things and say no. Say no and follow through with inaction.

Say yes seldomly but big. Say yes with a basin not a thimble. Say yes fast and act. Yes creates worlds so make sure they are universes you want to build and live in. Say yes and fight like hell to keep it yes. Compete, grovel, suffer, beg, persist. Say yes and do. Stay doing. Because the start is hard but easier than half way down, and there is no end.

These are the rules. Happy New Year.