Comments for My Strange Brain

Comment on Schadenfreude-light by A. Biedermann

A. Biedermann — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 19:23:42 +0000

My pleasure! And right, labels seem too proud, self-righteous even. And a fish sticker sounds just silly.

Comment on Schadenfreude-light by Norm

Norm — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 15:18:47 +0000

I always love your comments, as well as your pseudonym. Thanks for reading. I still have the album propped up here on my desk, and I can’t help but laugh a little at it every time. The 1980′s were tragically amusing, regardless of subject matter. I might have even owned a leotard and legwarmers myself…

To paraphrase my Dad, if you have to put a fish sticker on your shop’s door to tell people you are a Christian, you aren’t doing business right. People should know you’re a Christian by how you live your life and conduct your affairs– no labels should be necessary.

Comment on Schadenfreude-light by A. Biedermann

A. Biedermann — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 15:10:39 +0000

Thanks–both hysterical and thought-provoking. I found my own smug amusement brought up short by your careful self-scrutiny. May we be delivered from cynicism and irony (and Target while we’re at it)! But I also agree with you that the opportunistic marketers or superficial theologians behind this schlock still deserve some ridicule. Who came up with this stuff?

Comment on I have issues. by Norm

Norm — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 13:13:36 +0000

Gratitude is something I try to focus on regularly, but I never thought to try to focus on it when I’m enjoying leisure activities. That is an interesting thought. I’ll give it a go and report back.

Comment on I have issues. by A. Biedermann

A. Biedermann — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 13:10:29 +0000

Like you I’ve been ridden with guilt, but much less so now. I know that nothing truly good ever comes from guilt. Things done or left undone from guilt only breed resentment. I think guilt is so destructive because it is the last refuge of the ego: guilt, ironically, is self-centered. It sounds like you know all this—all too well, I’m afraid.

Instead of living out of guilt, try focusing on gratitude. Focus on the pleasures of leisure time and cultivate the joy and gratitude to be found there. That pleasure and gratitude can power you through all the dreary duties. Maybe you are putting the cart before the horse. (Sorry—not trying to guilt you! (Damn—nor myself.))

I am a bit of a gourmet, which can feel selfish. I can spend a lot of time and sometimes money cooking and dining. But the immense pleasure of good food and wine becomes a kind of spiritual experience for me—all the more when I am on my own. Time seems suspended and the moment becomes liberating. It’s not easy to achieve balance, as the other comment put it, because our lives are so conflicted and full of demands. But try not thinking about “earning” your leisure time; just receive it as a gift, with gratitude.

Comment on You did what? by Norm

Norm — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 12:11:24 +0000

No doubt.

Comment on You did what? by Chris Robinson

Chris Robinson — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 12:10:28 +0000

Good thing he is cute, right?

Comment on I have issues. by Cyd

Cyd — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 14:40:58 +0000

I know exactly what you mean by this – and it’s telling that it seems to affect women more than men. I think it’s often a layered thing, which makes it hard to figure out. Over-commitment, over-estimating the importance of perfect house-keeping, under-estimating the importance of down-time, putting oneself last on the list of priorities, being a perfectionist, the list goes on. Leisure time and rest time are important parts of a balanced life. So is having a creative outlet. Maybe the solution lies in changing the goal from doing all the things to having balance. Then skipping the leisure time would create guilt.

Comment on Forgive me hippies, for I have sinned. by Norm

Norm — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 18:50:12 +0000

I like stalkers. Maybe it’ll help me to remember to post more!

Comment on Forgive me hippies, for I have sinned. by melly-

melly- — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 18:45:42 +0000

save your liver for booze!

i think i’m officially stalking you now.