One more thing, Peter, you wrote: “I find recent events troubling and having me questioning my reality“- if you’d like to share about these recent events, please do.

anita

Dear Elias:

Welcome! It’s great to have you here.

It sounds like you’ve made significant changes in your life and found a sense of purpose through prayer, meditation, and reading the gospel. Those practices are powerful and can bring a lot of peace and clarity.

When it comes to your music, it’s understandable to feel frustrated if you’re not making the progress you hoped for, despite your efforts. Here are a few suggestions that might help you dive deeper into your music:

1. Try incorporating your spiritual practices into your music-making process, perhaps meditating before you start your music practice, or even creating music that reflects your spiritual journey and the messages you read in the gospel.

2. Set aside specific times for making music. The consistency in keeping a routine can make it easier to get into the creative zone.

3. Sometimes working with other musicians can bring new perspectives and inspiration. Consider joining a local music group.

4. Reconnect with the joy and passion that initially drew you to music. Try not to worry too much about the outcome and instead enjoy the process.

5. Even though you’ve read a lot and made changes, there’s always more to learn. Consider taking some music classes, or finding a mentor who can provide guidance and feedback

6. It’s easy to be critical of your own progress. Try shifting your mindset to appreciate the progress you’ve made, no matter how small. Recognize that improvement takes time and requires patience, sometimes, lots and lots of patience and perseverance.

It’s clear that you have the dedication and drive. Keep (patiently) pushing forward, and don’t hesitate to reach out for support and advice. Wishing you all the best on your musical journey!

anita

How are you, Peter?

Dear John, Peter, All: I want to correct the sentence I wrote yesterday after a Thanksgiving feast and enough wine to mess up the structure of my question, so here it is corrected: How can you and I, Shinnen- how can we- can we make the world a better place, just a bit, just a bit.. can we, Shinnen?

Your sentence yesterday: “I often feel that..  I am the ephemeral seeking the eternal” is often attributed to Nikos Kazantzakis, a Greek writer and philosopher who explored themes of the human condition, and the search for meaning. I want to look further into it this Friday morning:

On one hand, we humans are ephemeral, meaning short-lived, transient, temporary, our human life and experiences are brief and constantly changing,

On the other hand, we are seeking the eternal, meaning something that is everlasting, unchanging, and infinite, something that is timeless and permanent. We want to find or connect with something that transcends our fleeting existence: something enduring and everlasting.

There is a contrast between the temporary nature of human life (the ephemeral) and the longing for something permanent, a sense of continuity and meaning beyond our human lives (the eternal).

* The longing for something eternal is a common thread in many religions, involving the belief in an afterlife or a state of existence beyond the physical world, providing hope (and fear) and meaning to followers: Heaven or Hell for Christians, Paradise (Jannah), or hell (Jahannam) for Muslims, Moksha (liberation from the cycle of birth and death, merging with the divine essence, Brahman) for Hindus, Nirvana for Buddhist.

Back to Nikos Kazantzakis, I read that he did not believe in heaven or hell. Instead, he focused on the idea of striving for personal growth and meaning in the present life, living fully in the moment without relying on the hope of an afterlife.

He wrote: “To live, to err, to fall, to triumph, to create life out of life“, emphasizing the importance of experiencing life fully, embracing both successes and failures as part of personal growth.

He wrote: “I hope for nothing. I fear nothing. I am free“- he doesn’t hope for heaven (or nirvana), he doesn’t fear hell.. he is free to live without hope or fear.

He wrote: “For I realize today that it is a mortal sin to violate the great laws of nature. We should not hurry, we should not be impatient, but we should confidently obey the eternal rhythm“- he is saying that it’s a grave error or significant wrongdoing to of go against the fundamental, timeless, universal principles that govern the natural world. He advises against rushing through life or being impatient, behaviors that are contrary to the natural flow of things and lead to unnecessary stress and disorder. He recommends living in harmony with nature, following its pace, and not trying to force things.

Back to my question to you, Shinnen: I think that helping each other is part of the eternal rhythm because human beings are social creatures, and cooperation and mutual support are natural aspects of our existence. Helping others contributes to the overall harmony and balance within communities, reflecting the interconnectedness that is a fundamental aspect of life.

Empathy aligns with the idea of living in harmony with the natural order, fostering deeper connections and promotes a more compassionate and balanced world.

Not judging others, whenever, wherever possible and appropriate, allows for a more inclusive and understanding society, reducing conflict and encourages acceptance and harmony, which are key components of the eternal rhythm.

anita

Dear John:

‘Thanks Anita, I still lurk but don’t usually have anything to add, I noticed that I tend to repeat myself“- you are welcome, John. I repeat myself on a regular basis, what else is there for me to do..?

Please do come back and repeat; you are welcome to repeat here, John, anytime!

anita

May it be a Peaceful  Thanksgiving for you, Lulu, and for your family!

anita

How are you, Mahvash?

anita

Dear me:

Thanks for sharing an update. I can imagine how tough it must be for you right now, but I’m glad to read that your dad is starting to eat more. Every bit of progress counts.

It’s great that you’re looking ahead and setting goals for yourself, like getting fit and improving your financial situation. Those are positive steps that can help you feel more in control during this difficult time.

Money can definitely make a big difference in how we handle life’s challenges, and it’s clear you want to take better care of your dad and those around you. Just remember, it’s okay to take care of yourself too. Your well-being is crucial for you to be able to support others.

About the woman you mentioned, that sounds really frustrating. It’s hard when someone sends mixed signals and doesn’t respect your time. It’s good that you recognize the situation for what it is and aren’t letting it drag you down.

You’ve got a lot on your plate, but your determination to move forward and achieve your goals is inspiring. Keep pushing towards your dreams, and don’t hesitate to lean on people you can lean on.

Take care of yourself, and keep going strong.

anita

Dear Kane:

Your story is profoundly moving. It’s a reminder that our first loves shape us profoundly, and it is a testament to the human spirit’s capacity for growth and adaptation. It’s a reminder that while external advice and support are valuable, the true change comes from within.

I admire your ability to express such deep emotions and complex thoughts through your writing. Your journey, marked by resilience and the pursuit of love and meaning, is inspiring.

The boy’s primary desire is to love purely and genuinely, above all other pursuits. Despite experiencing pain, he continues to love. The pain of his first love compels him to explore other forms of love and interests, such as curiosity and learning. Despite new interests, his original love remains a central part of him.  The boy expresses that his ability to love is intrinsic to his being and purpose.

“Love has to be somewhere, to exist”-Love must have a focus or object to be real and meaningful.

“He loved to love“- the boy’s essence is defined by his capacity to love, which remains steadfast despite challenges.

“I went through nihilism, despite knowing what I wanted out of life”– you acknowledge a period of nihilism, where life seemed meaningless.

“Advice will only go as far as you’ll allow it”-Personal effort and willingness are essential for making meaningful changes.

“Seek out something to make that ember grow back to what it once was before: to love again”– The ultimate goal is to reignite the passion and love for life that may have been lost.

Your post is a profound exploration of the nature of love, personal growth, and the search for meaning. It combines a narrative with philosophical reflection to convey that love, in its many forms, is central to human existence. The story emphasizes resilience, the transformative power of love, and the importance of personal effort in overcoming adversity.

anita