Tag: Seneca

On Anger – 12th February 2023

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

Why is it cold in winter?
Why do I get sick at sea?
And why the hell do the people
In the street keep jostling me?

Today I did some things wrong
And maybe I got some things right
What can I do better next time
I’ll reflect on that each night

inspired and borrowed from Seneca

Today I’m feeling:

Good. A little nervous to get back into the classroom but it will be good to get back to it for the last five or so weeks of the semester.

Today I’m grateful for:

My step ladder and broom that allowed me to get to the leaves on the coverings of the outbuildings so that I could clean them up a little. If I want to complete the job I need to get up on the roof again. Not sure I’m quite ready for that adventure.

The best thing about today was:

My mind. From waking til bedtime my mind has been happily occupied with restful and positive thoughts. I even stopped myself a couple of times and thought ‘hey, I feel good!’ Could it be down to a good eight or nine-hour sleep? Can I convince my brain to get eight hours more often as perhaps my aim of seven hours is not serving me best?

What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?

All good today perhaps because I have been thinking about my classes tomorrow and how to counter the risk of them getting out of control. I’m not sure I’ve done enough but tomorrow will tell the tale.

Something I learned today?

Yesterday I learned that there is no border crossing between Turkey and Armenia. Something to do with the two countries not having good relations though I don’t know why.

Today I read Fukuyama’s The End of History essay which was written in 1989. It was an interesting read that in hindsight has perhaps been proven not to be quite as predicted. I would like to see his reflection on it now.

What brings my life meaning and purpose?

My thoughts are the only things that can bring my life meaning and purpose. My thoughts may drive me to action and those actions will be assigned meaning and purpose by my thoughts. And my actions and thoughts will be assigned meaning and purpose by others, though they may not be the same.

I took this picture because this is the friendly happy cute dog at the shop next to Utopia where I’m getting LardNa for lunch before heading to Daytripper again to hang out for the afternoon.

Recognition Of Reality – 22nd December 2022

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

Am I sitting down yet?
Are my feet touching the floor?
No recognition of reality
Is it worth existing anymore
Am I breathing air?
Is blood pumping through my veins?
No recognition of a life itself
No usefulness remains

*inspired by a story from Seneca

You determine the quality of your mind by the nature of your daily thoughts.

Robert Greene, Daily Laws

Today I’m feeling:
Happy but a little on edge
Today I’m grateful for:
Our air fryer which nicely cooked the Hainan ginger fake chicken I ate for dinner with rice and cucumber (to counter the hot chilli sauce dressing). Amy has made me 3 servings to freeze for when she has gone too. I suppose I could learn to use the fryer too but I just don’t bother cooking by myself.
The best thing about today was:
Undoubtedly, both my classes which I took a very relaxed attitude towards whilst still having the kids semi-engaged with activities. Even the kids that get annoyed with me did some work and seemed to enjoy what we were doing. Some days I love them all. Today was one of those days. Tomorrow should be too. One class making Christmas cards and another two just doing online quizzes and then it’s the weekend again (finally – last night I thought it would be Friday today until I realised it wouldn’t and felt the energy drain out of me!)
What was out of your control today and how did you handle it?
Amy is grumpy today, maybe PMT, so I’m trying to not bite at her and let it pass. I’m not always successful and she got angry when I misheard her about something and reacted badly. I let it blow over and apologised for misunderstanding and just tried to carry on as if nothing happened. I don’t think we’ll have good communication for the rest of the night, so let it lie and wake up tomorrow to a brand new sunny day, or at least we get to start again.
Something I learned today?
Hayden has Covid again. Hopefully, it’s not as bad as the first time and he recovers soon. I messaged Ellen too, who I haven’t been in contact with for about six months and since China relaxed their lockdown policy a couple of weeks ago, she and many of her clients got Covid too. I think China’s tough covid policy was the best way to deal with it and hopefully, now the virus is weaker there will be fewer deaths from infections. It’s amazing to me that other countries didn’t take it as seriously.
What tattoo do you want and where would you put it?
The next tattoo I get will be some Cardiacs lyrics on my right calf. I also want to get a Boognish tattoo but not quite sure where yet. Still thinking about the weird Trumans Water Spasm Smash cover too.

I took this picture because there’s spiders living in the trees!

Spice Of Life – 27th August 2022

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ 4 Comments

*Luxury requires the gathering
Of many miseries and anxieties*
Yet our well-being is right before us
Living well has many varieties

Using the gifts of nature
Counts amongst the greatest things
Once given up the chase
Feel the contentment that it brings

*Seneca
13th Oct 2024 – Shared with Word of the Day Challenge – luxury

We should not forget that the true purpose of education is to make minds, not careers.

Chris Hedges, Empire of Illusion

Today I’m grateful for:

My old friend Jenny from Sydney contacting me and saying she will try and come and visit in October. I really appreciate the fact that she might consider doing that.

The best thing about today was:

A lazy late afternoon nap as a dull dark day of threatening clouds forced my tired eyes to rest.

I took this picture because Tigger can be amazingly cute when he wants to be. This is just one of three pictures I took at the time and makes me smile.

Clickbait Title – 12th May 2022

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

7 easy steps to success
Satisfaction guaranteed
Get everything for nothing
The truth you really need
300% for four hours a week
Click through for the gold
Everything is for sale
Until everything is sold
Eternal happiness waiting
It’s easy if you know how
Follow the shiny things
Be sure to click here now

Far too many good brains have been afflicted by the pointless enthusiasm for useless knowledge.

Seneca

Gratitude Journal

I am so happy and grateful to be kept aware of every small detail, by the lizard that was in my bed last night as I pulled the sheets back. I couldn’t catch it.

The Chiang Rai Alternative Hour #20 – 11th January 2020

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

Music from The Reactionaries, Alternative TV, Neutral Sons, Polvo, Peter Black, Hilkka, The Fartz, Elvis Costello, Captain Sensible, Rogues, Graham Parker and the Rumour, Radio Nepal, Orthrelm, Arcwelder, Guapo, Minutemen, McClusky.

Gratitude Journal

I am so happy and grateful to Oh and Namtan for letting me stay at their house last night. It saved me money and trouble and they are nice people.

All reading should be applied to the idea of living the happy life…words may become deeds.

Seneca

To-do list

  • Remember how much you enjoyed the drive today? Do that again! ✅
  • Take Oh and Namtan for coffee. ✅
  • Work through your exhaustion and provide good tuition. ✅
  • Do something nice for Amy today. ½
  • Do not complain – counter other’s complaints. ✅

Today was a very good day and I feel wonderful and happy. It started with 40 squats, a shower and reading before taking Oh and Namtan for coffee. We have a good conversation about books, reading, exercising and eating.

The drive back was very pleasant though tempered by some melancholy as many returns home can be. It’s never as exciting as the heading out into unknown adventures, no matter how small they are.

I was so positive that I was fine for the teaching and it went like a breeze.

At dinner, Amy and I chatted for a long while and I put forward the idea of how we could spend the perfect day together.

Tomorrow I hope to spend some time in my office – I love being there but feel somewhat disconnected from the house so I don’t usually stay out there late into the night.

We have some more students tomorrow but those lessons should be fun