foolscap » Life

The Four Agreements

Douglas — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 20:38:52 +0000

the four agreements – don miguel ruiz’s code for life

agreement 1

Be impeccable with your word – Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.

agreement 2

Don’t take anything personally – Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won’t be the victim of needless suffering.

agreement 3

Don’t make assumptions – Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.

agreement 4

Always do your best – Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse and regret.

Father and Sunday

Douglas — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 01:47:58 +0000

Today, on a whim of inspiration triggered by a difficult conversation, I decided to embark on a new adventure: Father & Sunday. A concious effort to take best advantage of the precious remaining few years with Son #3 living at home, as well as a similarly concious effort to take better advantage of all future years of that peculiarly unique father-and-son together time with all three four of my wonderful Sons. This Sunday will be the inaugural bash.

I just registered FatherAndSunday.com. We’ll see…

Time to Sell this Lovely Home

Douglas — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 00:18:44 +0000

Although in no particular hurry, the time has come to seriously consider the sale of our lovely Long Pond home. For more images captured from just out the Livingroom door, head on over to longpond.gennetten.com

Humanity. A Global Perspective

Douglas — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 20:03:37 +0000

Even the most jaded anthropocentric observer cannot deny the miniscule role of humanity in the bigger picture of Life on Earth (’till now, of course). Click, and zoom in to “homo sapiens”.

Beliefs to Live By

Douglas — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 20:17:44 +0000

Over lunch today I read Life Story of Cynthia Morris, one of the writers I most admire. In part six, she summarizes the beliefs she lives by:

• Life is a made-up story, so might as well make up a good one.
• People are amazing.
• You can do anything you want if you believe you can.
• The best way to succeed and be happy is to control your mind.
• Life is magical and fun.

Inspired my day!

The Best Week of the Year

Douglas — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 16:47:37 +0000

One of my favorite blogs which I religiously follow is that of Cynthia Morris at JourneyJuju.com and Original Impulse. Again, she inspires…

I have always found this last week of the year to be particularly exhilarating–and important. She does a great job of describing why while motivating me to stretch it even farther. I think I’ll start with a quick set of runs across the length of the new ‘ice rink’ and then re-read Cynthia’s excellent little tome, Creative Toolkit for the Traveler while I fret about procrastination-delayed passport renewals.

In 2009, through creative exploration and expression, there will be unmatched Joy.

Joy and Willful Ignorance

Douglas — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 18:38:23 +0000

When pondering my year-end review of a deeply personal nature, one thing keeps bubbling to the surface: Joy. It may not have been the happiest of years (god knows, I have more reasons than most in my circles for deep-rooted unhappiness of late) but it certianly is the most personally joyous. This is the year where I crossed a threshold of understanding regarding the difference.

Yet many in my know would reject the notion that I — a still-recovering ex-evangelical/fundamentalist — would have any hope of this special kind of joy. The irony! I see my stuborn rejection of a life of willful ignorance as one of the cornerstones of my fountain of joy.

Speaking of Willful Ignorance, here’s a particularly interesting comparison for this christmas day: a colorfully-written column by Discovery Institute’s creationist neurosurgeon, Michael Egnor and an air-tight response from one of my favorites, Dr. Steven Novella.

Meaning of Life

Douglas — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 14:23:51 +0000

This time of year is always a good time to reflect on how one’s appreciation of the Meaning of Life has changed over the past year and beyond. I couldn’t help but laugh at the unintended truth found on the Wikipedia page on the topic.

John Returns

Douglas — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 03:23:47 +0000

John is back. Life around here is about to change once again. Today, I escaped my comfort zone today to help a friend in need.

First Ice

Douglas — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 14:39:01 +0000

This morning Long Pond is frozen from shore to shore. I get a small thrill from this–every year. Winter is Here.