As regular readers know, I am presently taking my time going through one of my favorite books, War & Peace. Some might ask “Why re-read anything when you know what the ending will be?”This of course sets them up for the classic rejoinder “It’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey.”
My own reasons are this. On each reading I have been impressed with what a modern book it is. Mr. Tolstoy was an uncanny observer of his society, of human nature in general, and he was a premier psychologist as well. There is one gem after another to discover. Last night I read a single paragraph that applies perfectly to some of the problems we are facing today.
In the book Pierre, a rotund and amiable fellow, becomes extravagantly rich when his powerful father dies, and instantly those around him find that he is so much more interesting in every way. He is now a Count and every word from his mouth is worth cherishing. What used to be plain old fat is now stylish corporeal augmentation.
But when he gives a speech to a group of fellow Masons accentuating his take on the spiritual side of their raison d’être, he is verbally attacked by the leadership, and his opinions go right into the water closet.
But it gets worse. Even those who are on his side have revisions and suggestions that totally miss his intentions and lead off in directions that he cannot support. Pierre despairs.
I’ve never read a clearer or more concise description of the problem of trying to lead or reform any human endeavor. Groups of what one thought of as co-creators or at least as followers begin to fall away over doctrinal disagreements. It becomes impossible to keep the group together, and eventually one tires of fighting it and the original heart of the movement wastes away.
Personally, I definitely lean toward the political left side and the Democratic Party’s platforms, although I call myself an Independent. However I do give myself leave to call out the Democrats for what I see as their fecklessness and squabbling. Which means they aren’t doing what I want them to do at a given moment, but are broken up into groups that are at each other’s throats, poking one another in the eye, and pulling the chair out from under one another in perpetual prankism. I want them to be unified behind the projects dearest to me.
In this I am just like the character Pierre in Tolstoy’s novel, without the fabulously wealthy part. But I have an advantage over Pierre, in that I can look over at the Republican Party and see the horrorshow that it has become. No matter how frustrating or annoying the Dems can be, as a herd they are at least heading in a direction toward food and water. If they were only smarter and listened to me, they would get there a lot faster, but that’s another story altogether.
******
A serving US Air Force officer was crowned Miss America on Sunday evening. She is Second Lieutenant Madison Marsh. I gasped in disbelief as I read the story.
During my tour of duty in the USAF I never encountered an officer of any gender remotely qualified to be a candidate in a beauty pageant.
We were instead rather a plain lot, suiting up and showing up each day without having to worry about the problems that possessing excessive physical attractiveness would engender.
Looking back I am grateful that this was the case. If a second lieutenant who resembled this woman had worked among us I think that less work would have gotten done, what with all the preening going on among most of the males and perhaps a few of the females as well.
No … much better the way it was.
******
Each time that I leave the gym I am glad that I went. My body feels stronger, my step livelier. Every time I think about going to the gym there is a struggle against terminal inertia.
Each time I have finished mediating I feel clearer in my mind, more settled, glad that I took the time to do it. Every time I think about meditating I have a half-dozen other things I’d rather do, including the twiddling of my thumbs.
There is a saying that circulates in AA groups to the effect that when becoming sober and wondering what to do with the rest of one’s often messy life, the answer is to pull up one’s jeans, tighten the belt, and do the next right thing. It’s sort of a reworking of the one day at a time slogan. Both pieces of advice are good ones, but taking good advice has never been my strongest suit.
For some reason, and I admit that I don’t understand it, I am presently exercising and meditating regularly. I’m sure that it’s only one of those phases we hear about, and will soon pass.
Sloth never rests.
******
This ad popped up on my computer screen the other day. It is a gigantic doggie bed meant to be occupied by humans. It costs $329.00.
My first thought in seeing the ad was for goodness’ sake, what will they think of next?
My second thought was what a great idea, this thing has what a bed has always been missing … walls.
When I really needed it was when my children were young, and home life was sometimes chaotic, sort of like living in a pinball game, with small bodies ricocheting around the room constantly. All that was missing was lighting and sound effects.
But if I had owned one of these … it could have been declared to be “Dad’s Quiet Place, and when he is in it he is not to be disturbed.If you bother him he will call Social Services and report you.”
***
Mom, can I ask Dad a question?
No, he is in his quiet place.
But I can see him … he’s right there.
He needs to rest his brain, it is on fire.
But he’s not sleeping – look – his eyes are open.
Never you mind. These are the rules.
The rules are stupid … why can’t I have a quiet place?
You are a kid. When you’re a grownup you can buy your own darn doggie bed.
That’s stupid.
You’re stupid.
No, you’re stupid.
Go to your room.
******
******
Little Home In The Valley 