A thought for the day

Oct 01

Yoga sutra number 33, as discovered in Neal Pollack’s essay on being happy for friends’ success instead of envious:

In daily life we see people around who are happier than we are, people who are less happy. Some may be doing praiseworthy things and others causing problems. Whatever may be our usual attitude toward such people and their actions, if we can be pleased with others who are happier than ourselves, compassionate toward those who are unhappy, joyful with those doing praiseworthy things, and remain undisturbed by the errors of others, our mind will be very tranquil.

I love this. If I had already dug the printer out of the garage, I would print this and hang it on the wall.

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To do list

Jan 05

Here is a list of things I want to do or already do do every day:

  • Meditate for 15 to 30 minutes.
  • Do active meditation/self-hypnosis on one issue in particular: writing, weight, etc. 15-20 minutes.
  • Exercise for 30-60 minutes.
  • Spend some time alone with Darin.
  • Read a book.
  • Play with kids.
  • Write for 2-3 hours.
  • Cook dinner.
  • Write NKA entry.
  • Clean kitchen.
  • Tidy house.
  • Do a load of laundry.
  • Read favorite blogs.

I think it’s pretty obvious something is going to have to go. This makes me tired just writing it, let alone figuring out how to fit it all into my day.

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Nota bene

Jan 03

Another addition to my list of things to remember:

Diane, you have to write every day, because if you don’t write for a couple of days it’s like marching through sludge.

I am so not having a great writing day.

Also, trying to incubate a dream on my story (as in, “Give me the plot mechanics for how such-and-such should happen!”) appears to be working yet. Sigh.

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