Posts in the “personal” category

“I was very happy to hear from you, and that you have such a position in the Research Laboratories. Unfortunately your letter made me unhappy for you seem to be truly sad. It seems that the influence of your teacher has been to give you a false idea of what are worthwhile problems.”

“The worthwhile problems are the ones you can really solve or help solve, the ones you can really contribute something to. A problem is grand in science if it lies before us unsolved and we see some way for us to make some headway into it. I would advise you to take even simpler, or as you say, humbler, problems until you find some you can really solve easily, no matter how trivial. You will get the pleasure of success, and of helping your fellow man, even if it is only to answer a question in the mind of a colleague less able than you. You must not take away from yourself these pleasures because you have some erroneous idea of what is worthwhile.”

From a letter by Richard Feynman to a former student

“He suffers more than necessary, who suffers before it is necessary.”

~ Seneca (as seen in this tweet)

“Shut your mouth, work extremely hard and be the first one in there, last one to leave, and to lead by example.”

Denver Broncos QB Chad Kelly, talking about the advice he got from his uncle, Hall of Fame QB Jim Kelly.

Some people look at life as a science or engineering puzzle that has to be solved.

Others see the Tao in life, go with the flow, and find peace and harmony.

Me, I’m just here for the cookies.

RIP, Tanner.
RIP, Smokey.
RIP, Rusty.

It’s been a rough two weeks in the animal kingdom.

“Being rich isn’t a privilege. Being rich is a right. If you create massive value for others, you have the right to be as rich as you want.”

~ Steve Siebold, How Rich People Think

When I was young — ages 0 to 8 — my family lived in Chicago. One day I was walking down a sidewalk, and some older boys were walking the other way.

I was a little kid and pretty much just going “La la la la ...” down the sidewalk when the boys stopped me. One of them asked, “Are you M’s brother?”, where “M” refers to one of my sisters. I said something like, “Sure, yes, how you doing?”, when he hauled off and punched me in the stomach. “That’s for your sister,” he said.

(As the saying goes, Hurt people hurt people.)

When my dad was my current age (and I was 20), I didn’t know it, but that would be the last time I’d see him until after lung cancer had ravaged his body. If I could have said, “Please quit trying to control my life, let me make my own mistakes, and I’ll let you know if I need any help” — and he would have agreed to that — we might have found a way to see each other again.

So, my recommendation is that if you have a dad, no matter how well you’re getting along, give him a hug. ;)

Well there’s a light in your eye that keeps shining
Like a star that can’t wait for the night
I hate to think I’ve been blinded, baby
Why can’t I see you tonight?

And the warmth of your smile starts a-burnin’
And the thrill of your touch gives me fright
And I’m shaking so much, really yearning
Why don’t you show up, make it all right?

(Lyrics from a favorite song of my youth,
Fool in the Rain, by Led Zeppelin)

I’ve read before that practicing attitudes like gratitude and humility can help re-program the brain in a positive way. Conversely, you (or your toxic parents) can also train the neural network in your brain to tend towards negative thoughts. I thought of this when I saw this article by Annie Wood titled, How complaining rewires your brain for negativity (and how to break the habit).

Being interested in baseball, Tom Seaver, and Alaska, this article about Tom Seaver’s first game in Fairbanks, Alaska is interesting.

In my younger days this wasn't much of a problem. Unfortunately gravity seems to have increased significantly since the 1980s.

Tin Man by Miranda Lambert is a bit of a downer, but it’s the prettiest song I’ve heard in a while.

“A little progress every day can add up to big results.”

(Think of the proverbial snowball rolling down a mountain.)

“If you have four more years or four more weeks, you’re here right now ... I think when you’re somewhere, you ought to be there, because it’s not about how long you stay in a place, it’s what you do while you’re there, and when you go, is that place any better for your having been there?”

Chris Stevens, KBHR radio, Northern Exposure

“I suffered, I learned, I changed.” I found this image on this Pinterest page, and it reminds me of the learning process in general, but mostly of learning about our own minds, feelings, and emotions.

It always amazes me how the brain works. I got to hear these lyrics from the Alanis Morissette song, Thank U, in a dream last night:

How bout no longer being masochistic
How bout remembering your divinity

I love these quotes:

- My happiness depends on me.
- Do not give anyone else responsibility for how you feel.

Unfortunately, many people blame other people for their problems. I hear people say, “If only so-and-so would do xyz, I’d be happy.” Guess what? No you won’t! Nobody else is ever going to give you lasting happiness. If your friend/sibling/whatever is a slacker, they’re a slacker! (And guess what else? You’re judging them, and that makes you judgmental!) Get over it, move on! Tend to your own garden. You make yourself miserable, and you can also make yourself happy. It’s your choice. Stop blaming others.

For people who have life partners (spouses, etc.), I think it’s important to ask, “Is there joy in my partner’s life?”

Sometimes we get so caught up in our own lives, we forget to check in with our partners and ask how they’re doing, if they’re happy. (And if they’re not, what we can help do about that.)

Being a “life partner” is a commitment to the other person, and to their well-being.

Back in 2013, I attempted to grow a bonsai tree. It died almost immediately. I’d like to blame it on the high altitude here in Colorado, but I’m pretty sure it was me. Some day I’ll try again.