Thought for the Day, April 13, 2001

Subject: Thought for the Day, April 13, 2001
From: Peg
Date: 13 Apr 01 - 10:56 AM

Why do we throw salt over our shoulders, walk around rather than under ladders, shudder when a black kitty (oh, cute!) crosses our path, carry lucky coins in our pockets?

I was fascinated by superstitions when I was a kid and I now realize it was my interest in such things that led to my interest in ghosts stories, vampires, horror films and comics, and later, the occult and finally Neo-Paganism and modern witchcraft...

Oddly enough I have always found 13 to be a rather lucky or significant number in my life. I graduated 13th in my high school class. It often comes up in the lottery, I find (along with my most lucky number, 23) so I always choose it on those occasions I buy a ticket (once a month or so).

It seems to me that little ritualized behaviors (like those described above) are our way of trying to cheat fate: death, pain, misfortune. As if we make some small move towards striking a bargain with the powers that be. Okay, if I proitiate you in this small way, perhaps I will get that raise I am bucking for, or Mary Ellen will go to the prom with me, or Dad won't find out I spilled cocoa on his new bowling shoes, or my rent won't go up next month. Kind of like non-religious people praying occasionally even though they wonder if, being non-believers, it will actually do any good, but it can't hurt to try...

We want to feel like we have some control. And we do--at least, on a day to day level. It has been said: what you spend your life doing, is what you spend your days doing...the first time I read that, I wanted to: throw my computer in the trash, kick in the screen of my TV, pull the phone out of the wall, and burn every magazine in my house. Then I realized I can easily decide whether something is a waste of time, and if it gives me pleasure and enriches my mind or body or spirit in some way, it can't be all bad. I imagine this is why old folk who still have a glass of whisky and a cigar every night live to be a ripe old age; these things give them pleasure and anything in moderation (except, perhaps, auto-erotic asphyxiation) can't truly harm us.

I think the key is, make the most of it. That's the way to cheat despair and the end waiting for us all (we know not when). If it is pleasurable to sit on a park bench and feed the pigeons, don't feel bad because you never went hang-gliding. If you can't afford a fancy car, put silk throw pillows and bud vases in your old VW. Grow your own food, or at least make grocery shopping as pleasurable as possible. Lost your love? Remember to love the people still in your life. Remember every human needs compassion: even that kid serving your cappucino, even that grouchy bus driver, even the dirty homeless woman muttering to herself under the awning.

Live large, with love and lust, smell the roses, be good to yourself and others. And if performing little superstitious behaviors gets you through the day,

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day, April 13, 2001
From: GUEST,khandu
Date: 13 Apr 01 - 11:37 AM

Very very good!

Yeah, everyone could use a smile. And you gave me one.

Thanks,

khandu

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day, April 13, 2001
From: Naemanson
Date: 13 Apr 01 - 12:01 PM

I like it!

I am just now coming out of a gloom and pall that has hung over my life for the last year or so. It may just be the optimism of Spring but I am ready to "Live large, with love and lust, smell the roses..." I try to always be good to myself and others.

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day, April 13, 2001
From: Mrrzy
Date: 13 Apr 01 - 12:24 PM

This is beautiful. Truly. I especially liked the line about If one thing gives you pleasure, don't waste it regretting the other things that didn't. What a great philosophy. Hard to live by, but still, a great philosophy.

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day, April 13, 2001
From: Amergin
Date: 13 Apr 01 - 12:29 PM

Lovely, Peg, just lovely....

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day, April 13, 2001
From: wysiwyg
Date: 13 Apr 01 - 01:12 PM

Yes, and as Gary Larson's (Farside) cows say, "Always stop to eat the roses."

~S~

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day, April 13, 2001
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Apr 01 - 03:06 PM

Great stuff, Peg, thanks very much.

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day, April 13, 2001
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 13 Apr 01 - 06:53 PM

Someone used to say to me that life was too short to stuff a mushroom, and I could never make her understand that, even though that is why she employed me, I never liked stuffing the mushrooms.

You'd be surprised at how many so called religious people are deeply superstitious, even to the extent of saying 'touch wood' in church and reaching out to touch the pews or altar rails!!

And Naemeson - I'm with you, not that the lust bit is particularly helpful at this moment in time, but hey, I'll be better soon!!!

LTS

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day, April 13, 2001
From: GUEST,#1
Date: 13 Apr 01 - 09:33 PM

Out of the frying pan and into the fire.

Sing me another one,
Worse than the last one,
Sing me another one, do.

DONE

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day, April 13, 2001
From: Peg
Date: 14 Apr 01 - 01:36 AM

?????

Happy spring everyone!

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day, April 13, 2001
From: Naemanson
Date: 14 Apr 01 - 02:04 AM

Yeah, well Liz, lust is not much good if you've got no one to share it with. But some day...

I too, hope you feel better soon. Maybe you've spent too much time eating the roses?

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day, April 13, 2001
From: Amos
Date: 14 Apr 01 - 11:39 AM

Peg:

You are one beautiful creature, no mistake. It is a delight to hear your voice more.

A