Author Archives: jimwdollar

The tragedy is that tragedy cannot be averted. Or avoided. I’m talking about fascism here, and homelessness, and unwanted pregnancy, etc. In 2014, my acupuncturist told me, “Jim, alcohol isn’t helping your knees any.” I had my last glass of wine (and all other varieties of alcohol) on July 27, 2014. Which means I haveContinue reading “July 06, 2023 – B”

Our ghosts are not out to get us. Everything inside is on our side. Our ghosts represent things we need to clean up, change our perspective about, turn the light around concerning, and remind us of things we needs to change. We call the things that are calling us to grow up, “evil, horrible, bad,Continue reading “July 06, 2023 – A”

There are things we know by experience like what applesauce tastes like, and things we know by memorization like how to spell Minneapolis and how to pronounce Natchitoches and what 9×6 is and why/how Jesus is the Savior of Sinners. There are things we know by experimentation like the speed of light and the circumferenceContinue reading “July 05, 2023 – A”

Being right about what needs to be done in each situation as it arises and doing it when, where and how it needs to be done is all there is to it. We don’t do it because we confuse what needs to happen with what we want to happen, and we don’t take the timeContinue reading “July 4, 2023 – B”

There are three questions and several ways to ask them: 1) What’s what? (Also phrased, “What’s happening? and, “What’s going on?”) 2) What needs to be done about it? (In response to it? (What is being called for?) 3) How can we be helpful with the gifts/ tools/traits/virtues/specialties/character/etc. that are natural to us– that comeContinue reading “July 04, 2023 – A”

Something is to be said for repentance well beyond getting us into heaven when we die (Whomever thought that one up needs to be sentenced to a couple of years at hard labor in the other place on the grounds of absurdity and cheekiness alone). Repentance restores balance and harmony, oils the wheels of socialContinue reading “July 03, 2023 – B”

In being what we seek, we discover that we have always had what we need to meet the moment straight up and do there what is called for and is appropriate to the occasion. The way is clear until someone with a better idea comes along, and then there is tension and struggle, and weContinue reading “July 03, 2023 – A”

Everything is amazing to eyes that see. Eyes that see are amazing. To SEE is to be stunned into silence. So, we have to not-see in order to get around at all. We have to close ourselves off from wonder to find a toilet. Or a clothes hanger. Which, in themselves, are aspects/extensions of wonder.Continue reading “July 02, 2023 – B”

“Grace” is another term for “good luck,” “good fortune.” We all are graced by the minute, by the second. Everything is a coincidence, an accident of time and place. Every photograph is a miracle, that we should be there, then, with a camera is always amazing. What were the chances? Who could have planned it?Continue reading “July 02, 2023 – A”

We have to learn how to be balanced and harmonized in the neighborhood of the clashing rocks on the heaving waves of the wine dark sea. The way there is a simple shift in perspective. Life is an optical illusion. We can look and see hopelessness and despondency, and we can look again and seeContinue reading “July 01, 2023 – B”

What is missing from our life? What are we seeking? What do we need that we do not have? Pondering this, I realize that the world seeks release/relief from the burdens of life— the uncertainties, the insecurities. People seek reassurance, companionship, security, certainty, peace… The ground of all religion is hope for the future– someContinue reading “July 01, 2023 – A”

Accepting our plight for what it is, whatever it is, and determining to make the best of it, far exceeds the frantic search for an escape into bliss and happiness everlasting. We meet the day and do what needs to be done there, putting woe and “poor me” aside. “Here we are. NOW what? WhatContinue reading “July, 2023”