Daily Reflections

Daily Reflections

I often wonder and reflect on the meaning of life, possibly more often than most humans, because of my innate sensitivity and prior preoccupations with death. My daily words are my meditations. I try to understand who I am and if I am anybody special and rare or I am just a common, loud-mouthed, ignorant, insecure hypocrite and coward as I see in most of my fellow men. Pride must be grounded on firm facts, not flimsy or nonexistent evidence. 

1. This morning, the U.S. Senate chaplain's invocation drove home with me.

“We acknowledge our transgressions, our shortcomings, our smugness, our selfishness and our pride. Deliver us from the hypocrisy of attempting to sound reasonable while being unreasonable.” 

I have many transgressions and shortcomings. I have my share of smugness and pride, but none of selfishness. Selfishness is for human animals. 

2. When we criticize or disparage anybody, we must make sure we are superior to the person whom we criticize or disparage, otherwise we are just cheap hypocrites. 

3. What do we live for? Most humans don't know why they live. They flail around and then they die, accomplishing nothing worthwhile or beautiful, other than just passing their ordinary genes to their offspring. They are not smart or sensitive enough. Mediocrity knows it is mediocrity but fails to accept it. It always think it is better than it actually is, so it can go on another day. The more it tries to assert itself, the more pathetic it looks. Quietly being comfortable as to who we are and gracefully accepting our strengths, if any, and limitations, plenty, are the best approach to living.

4. Respect silence. Try to maintain it even if provoked. No need to have a dialogue with ignoramuses and fools. They are too dumb and stupid to understand us. Walk away from them with cold indifference. Meanwhile make our lives as pleasant and serene as possible. 

Say, you were in prison or a war and saw death and and suffered unspeakable cruelty at the hands of human animals. You persevered because giving up on life was too easy and tempting to do. You had pride. You got home, not quite in one piece, but you survived. You learned to sleep at night, no matter what happened during the day. You would no doubt become a changed person. You speak less now. You observe, listen, and weigh all options before you act. Once you do, you don't look back. You live and die with your decision. You think you know something about humanity: vain, insecure, ignorant, and untrustworthy. You treat everybody with respect because you know they crave for it, even if they don't deserve it. You learn not to criticize. You praise or keep your mouth shut. You only speak only when spoken to.