THE GREATEST WEIGHT

"What, if some day or night a demon were to steal after you into your loneliest loneliness and say to you: "This life as you now live it and have lived it, you will have to live it once more and innumerable times more: and there will be nothing new in it, but every pain and every joy and every thought and sigh and everything unutterably small or great in your life will have to return to you, all in the same succession and sequence — even this spider and this moonlight between the trees, and even this moment and I myself. The eternal hourglass of existence is turned upside down again and again, and you with it, speck of dust! 

Would you not throw yourself down and gnash your teeth and curse the demon who spoke thus? Or have you once experienced a tremendous moment when you would have answered him: "You are a god and never have I heard anything more divine." If this thought gained possession of you, it would change you as your are or perhaps crush you. The question in each and every thing, "Do you desire this once more and innumerable times more?" would lie upon your actions as the greatest weight. Or how well disposed would you have to become to yourself and to life to crave nothing more reverently than this ultimate eternal confirmation and seal?"

-Nietsche, The Gay Science, Section 341, pp. 273-4

A BURNING YES INSIDE THAT MAKES IT POSSIBLE TO SAY NO TO OTHER THINGS

what if you stopped reading, and instead, every time you wanted to read something, wrote it yourself?

to do

cultivate strong networks in family and friends
develop moral self discipline, focus, and wisdom; a healthy sense of self, focusing on self-development towards external contribution while being selfless and eliminating ego
invest in others' development; help others tap into their strengths, suspend judgement and listen, speaking only when necessary or beneficial, 
cultivate and spread feelings of joy and well-being, gratitude, and a sense of universality/connection with all others, a kind of spiritual development 
exercise, eat well, maintain good health
educate oneself on local/national/global history
educate oneself on current events, issues
in economics, politics, and national and global affairs; gender, race, and class inequalities, the environment, internet security and surveillance, media, technology and science in general, education, labour,
hone skills, hobbies, and "flow activities"; creative, hands on activities for expression and tactile aesthetic experience, as well as intellectual activities such as reading and writing;
experience music and art 
develop practical, employable skills to find meaningful work and build a career
in which a contribution is made
be technologically competent and learn new relevant skills
engage in public discourse in the service of others
tell everyone you love them

“We have to end apartheid and slow down the nuclear arms race, stop terrorism and world hunger. Ensure a strong national defence, prevent the spread of violence within central urban areas, work on the middle east settlement, prevent US military involvement overseas. We have to ensure that the US is respected as one of the world’s economic leaders. Now that’s not to belittle our domestic problems, which are equally important, if not more. Better and more affordable long -term care for the elderly , control and find the cure for the AIDS epidemic, clean up environmental damage from toxic waste and pollution, improve the quality of primary and secondary education, strengthen laws to crack down on crime and illegal drugs. We also have to ensure university education is affordable to everyone and protect the Medical Health Service for everyone plus conserve natural resources and areas of nature beauty and reduce the influence of political action committees.

But economically we’re still a mess. We have to find a way to hold down the inflation rate and reduce the national debt. We also need to provide training and jobs for the unemployed as well as protecting existing US jobs from unfair foreign imports. We have to make England and the rest of the US a leader in new technology and at the same time preserve our historical companies. We need to promote economic growth and business expansion and hold the line against income tax and hold down interest rates while promoting opportunities for small businesses and control mergers and big corporate takeovers.

We cannot ignore our social needs either. We have to stop people for abusing our welfare system, while still providing food and shelter for the homeless. We need to oppose racial discrimination and promote civil rights while also promoting equal rights for women but change abortion laws to protect the right to life yet still maintain women’s freedom of choice. We have to control the influx of illegal immigrants. We have to encourage a return to traditional moral values and curb graphic sex and violence on TV, in the movies, in popular music, everywhere, but allow freedom of choice to those above a consenting age. Most importantly we have to promote general social concerns and less materialism in young people.”
-B.E.E., Am. Psycho

"An open-ended question is one that does not lead and is appropriate when you want to engage another in a deep dialogue. True open ended questions have the following characteristics:

• They are focused on learning more about the individual, not about satisfying a need of the asker.
• They are asked neutrally, with no emotional charge, hidden suggestion, assumption or contradictory body language from the
  asker.
• They require some thought and reflection.
• They promote insight.
• They uncover opinions and feelings.
• They allow the question asker to be in control by
  steering the direction and depth of the conversation.
• They usually require more than a one or two word
  answer.

Closed questions can be answered quickly, usually without significant thought. Use them when you want a shorter conversation."

-Cheryl McMillan 

LISTEN NOW

I am afraid of everything
When you told me I was special,
it was the happiest moment for a long long time