CaveatMagnusFrater's Comments (679)

“Hi Jasmine,

Seems to me that you've identified the pink elephant in the room. Both of my sons were diagnosed ADHD and thanks to Califironia child custody rules, I had to get them treatment and provide the drugs prescribed. When did having a trait become a disorder? Little boys didn't evolve in a docile classrom sitting everyday for expended periods of time. They were mimmicking the men in the clan/tribe/society and playing at what they would later become Fast forward 20+ years and they're told they're lazy and obese because the have a habit of sittting instead of being active. Time for new pills.

Vincent's (Joseph) hell was other people because he hated himself and assumed everyone else should as well. The unanswered unasked question should have been why did he hate himself and how did he become that man. Perhaps that would detract from the existensial idea of the play and address emotional problems as a sociological phenomenon. Not all square pegs survive immersion in the round hole with their psyches intact.

Interesting article,
little brother”

“Hi Mike,

Ignorance is bliss. I know some stuff and sometimes what I know makes me happy. I think what I'm most happy about is that I don't know what it feels like to have experienced or worse, performed horrendous deeds. Knowledge is a tool, it's best to use it for benevolence.

Regards,
little brother”

“HI Susan,

I'm pretty sure that your and my ideas of friendship are not completely alike. I know this is addressed to women and I am a man, but I think relationships are similar. After work today, I'm going to drop by the house of a toxic friend of mine. He's going through a hard time and I don't know of anybody else who's going to visit just to say hi and see how he's doing. Sometimes it's more about being a friend than having a friend.

Best wishes,
little brother”

“Hi Surya,

To your question "Should humanity have been created?", I answer: no. It's not that we don't have the same right to exist as other entities in the universe, we do. It's that should is a judgemental word addressing an ideal or the blame for failing to achieve that subjective ideal. Personally, I'm glad we exist, but it seems that we came into existance gradually rather than by a divine proclamation. So, the only should question I'm comfortable answering in the affirmative is: Should we be kind and helpful to one another? Yes, yes yes,

My best regards,
little brother”

“Hi thejarter,

What;does your moniker mean?

just curious
little brother”

“Hi kiri,

Happy belated Solstice Day to you. I didn't want to be distratcted at the Sostice moment yersterday. Being at work can do that. So, I had my calander pop-up with a reminder 5 minutes prior. I spent the last 5 minutes of last year (Solar) and the first 5 minutes of this year (again solar) meditating with a vision of our planet in orbit around Sol with the northern hemisphere tilting it's face back as though absorbing universal energy. I know it's a little campy, but it makes me feel connected and well.

Your tradition sounds nice. I don't really have a winter seasonal change ritual. I'll talk to my wife about it. Even if we go another route, thank you for bringing up the value of ritual. My sons are agnostic and didn't know that I was Atheist until they were adults. When they were young we had the same decorations and they got the same kinds of presents as their friends. I didn't feel it was right to risk their social equilibrium by setting them apart from their friends, so it seemed harmless to celebrate like the rest of the community.

Lotsa love,
little brother”

“Hi Santa, Ed and Deb,

Santa, don't worry about the dishes, I've met your wife and I bet she was just pulling your chain. Did she have that familiar twinkle in her eye when she said that. I think a lot of people really did get your message. There's been alot written about how many people volunteer at this time of year and don't do it year long. Seems to me, people often want to help others but never quite get around to it. Without your example, this might just be another time of year where so many people mean to help but don't quite get to it.

P.S. Thanks for all of the mentors you've put in my path this year.

Ed and Deb, Thanks for giving the Jolly Yogi a forum this week.

All the best,
little brother”

“Hi Robyn,

This is a beautiful poem. It made me feel good to read it. I especially like your closing line: Letting hope, faith and love Be the gifts that inspire us.

Have fun,
little brother”

“Hi Priscilla,

I know exactly how your husband feels about riding. Some of my friends call it Harley therapy. You have to be in the moment, asphalt doesn't forgive. Nor does it back off because you navigated that last gravel pile in the middle of the turn. When you have to be that focused on the here and now, you forget about your worries and your strife. You become more like Balloo from the Jungle Book.

I've been thinking about how playing music kind of puts me there too. my senses are aware but I pay no attention to anything but making the music. Maybe I meditate more than I realized. Great article.

Best wishes,
little brother”

“Hi Tara,

#5 Stand up for yourself - this is not only necessary but also an oopportunity to check your purpose and see if that's what you're really doing or if you're defending your ego, or as Ed and Deb are fond of saying (your monkey mind). I'm still working toward finding my center so even though I'm asking the right question, I'm often not sure if I'm being honest with myself about the answer. Somehow, as I'm changing, there are less and less difficult people to deal with. I guess the whole world is changing too. Either that or I'd have to concider whether I was more a part of the problem than I'd prefer to do.

warmest regards,
little brother”

“Hi Deepak,

I feel for people who are up against the wall without an understanding of how to go forward. I think the union busting and disintigration of trade laws not only created on opportuinty for some very rich people to make a lot of money really fast but it also destroyed the middle class and undermined a social pillar that our prosperity was founded upon. Be it spiritual or otherwise, we are at a tumlutuous crossroads. The working class citizens of this country are going to deal with a lot of change both personnally and professionally. I wish us all luck.

Great post,
little brother”

“HI Russell,

Philosophically, I'd like to say that I'd rather be loving because deep in my soul I would feel that I've done something for others and fulfilled my own internal needs. Realisticly, I have no idea how I'd cope without my people and the love I feel from them regularly. Fortunately, I don't really have to decide. Thanks to the guidance of some of the other bloggers here in the living section of The Huffington Post, in the past year I've learned how to treat people with love regardless of how they behave toward me. At first, it was really difficult to respond without defending myself. But after practicing, not only did it become easier, it also became clear how this was worth doing for the other person and for me. Sometimes, people just need to be heard and listened to.

To me it feels like I've swum to the beach of the promised land. Knowing how much better today is with that small taste of living the giving life is great. I wonder how much better life will get once I get off the beach and go inland so to speak.

...How about approaching the angry person with something like this: "I didn't realize you cared so much." How wonderful! How can I help?... I think I'd look for a more empathetic phrasing. Somone caught up in their anger might take this as sarcasm and turn their anger upon me personally,

Great post,
little brother”

“Hi Kari,

This is a brilliant juxtaposition of Dickens' most famous antagonist with today's most talked about fallen celebrity. Many of us could use a dose of advice from King Cool. He lived an inspired life and recognized his good fortune as an opportunity to help others. A visit from Cool Hand Luke may not happen but fortunately we have you, Elena, Anne, Cara and Ed and Deb to help us learn to be the change..

Great post,
little brother”

“Hi Eli,

15 minutes of play three times a week. I'll never be able to do that. How can anyone squeeze all the fun things to do into 45 minues a week? I'd suggest playing for at least an hour more days then you don't. Maybe the P work is related to the N word. When you know what your real needs are, you don't have to work extra to get things you only think you want. Simplifying is a very popular concept right now, I believe in it. Some of my friends make me tired just hearing how much they've "GOT" to do. As for "H"elp, I Iove to help, it makes me feel good. Mostly though, I love to ask my friends for advice or even guidance on some project that i know they are more experienced or knowledgeable. Seems that quite often they'll not just tell me, frequently, they want to help me get strated and show me how to do something. People do like to be acknowledged for their abilities.

Great post,
little brother”

“HI Anne,

My wife takes me for granted. And I notice I do the same with her. It's a good thing. my love for her is granted as was stated in the vow I made to her... til death do us part. I'm a big fan of the 6th piece of advice you gave. I appreciate my patner so very much and I like to tell her so and that I love her frequently.

with love,
little brother”

“You got me. I was stunned until I read your disclaimer. I should have known better to expect truth from them.”

“There are three types of Americans. Those who prefer truth, justice, libery and equal rights. Those who prefer econiomic strength through large corporations, defense through aggressive wars and morality from one specific religion. And those who are apathetic.”

“No no no! Easter is when 3 wise guys came from the EAST coast to baptize jesus.”

“Damn! gotta love that new Senator. The Repubs used every dirty trick in the book and all was fine. One Dem enforces a simple rule and tht's horrendous. We need a few more just like Al.”

“The women Tiger slept with did not have an obligation to Tiger's wife. Tiger did. If there is any blame, it is his.”

“Hi Donna,

I love the dance similes illustrating the seasonal changes. I see it as Earth turning her face away from the sun only to accept the sun's attention again and again.

Have a blast,
little brother”

“Hi Judith,

I celebrate both equinoxes and solstices. It's a good time for me to think about my ancestors and how their lives might have been, especially at Winter Solstice. A couple thousand years ago they were living in wood or stone cottages the size of a single bed single bath house today. But in those huts were extended families of up to 30 members. They sharted as a true community. Very little is known about their heirachy but humans haven['t changed that much. Archeological evidence indicates that whichever mode their society operated under, they were highly cooperative as demonstrated by the exhibited health of their bones. Even further back, 5,000 to 10,000 years ago the darkest days of winter must have felt extra worrisome. I'd rather not know what it's like to be out of food when your children are hungry. Unreasonably, too many people today still suffer for this anguish which could be exterminated.

Winter Solstice, while being solemn and conducive to deep contemplation cannot hold a candle to spring equnox for me. i love the re-birth of the land and get quite energized by the anticipation of plying outside in the warm sunlight.

Best Wishes,
little brother”

“Thanks Khanti for bringing up thebuddha's noble Path. I meant to look into it some time back and it slipped my mind.

Peace,
little brother”

“Good morning Cara,

This is the first I've heard about Jasmine's story. Instantly I recalled my youngest son's birth. He had breathing troubles and was placed immediately into an incubator. He looked so fragile, I just wanted to hold him. How firghtening to come from the comfort of the womb to isoloation from touch. Jasmine is so lucky. It's beautiful what her family is doing for her. I imagine with that much love she'll be a very happy little girl.

I don't feel bogged down anymore. Since I've been following the practices prescribed by you, Ed and Deb, Anne and Elena,many burdens have lifted. Less often I'm concerned about how my friends and family love me but instead I think more about making them feel my love and appreciation. A few weeks ago my feelings were hurt when my son decided not to come over for Thanksgiving. I took called him to say I understood and hoped he had a nice Thanksginving with his friends. It was easier than it e would have been in the past if even possible.

Today is day 16 of the 21 day challange. During the last week, I had one day where I didn't knowingly complain. But also a day that I and a co-worker bitched about our boss for about 10 minutes before I caught myself. Quite an eye-opener It's such an engrained part of my communication that it really takes constant awareness to minimize the complaining.

Warmest love,
little brother”

“Yes Cara.

I'm in. I had to set my mind to it and didn't want to commit until I felt I could do it. This clause: "When you go forget. Forgive yourself, and start over" closed the deal. I'll try not to over use it.

Have fun,
little bro”