04 We like to think George Bailey and Jefferson Smith (The Mr. Smith who goes to Washington) are Everyman, and that Donald Trump and his people are not. The assumption is not valid. The people who profit handsomely at someone else’s expense are legion. Beyond counting. And they never stop with the conniving, contriving, plotting,Continue reading “February 21, 2021”
Author Archives: jimwdollar
February 20, 2021
02 It comes down to doing this thing well. Whatever it is. Do the present moment well. To do that, we have to be all there, collected, attentive, focused, aware of the moment and what is being called for there. We cannot do the moment well in an absent-minded kind of way. In each moment,Continue reading “February 20, 2021”
February 19, 2021
03 We must talk to the world, and the world must talk to us. Though “commune” is more to the point than “talk,” for with “commune,” the emphasis is on listening and not on what is to be said. How do we position ourselves– intentionally/deliberately– to commune with the world? Sit quietly. Tune in. WaitContinue reading “February 19, 2021”
February 18, 2021
02 My beef with Buddhism is its not-caring solution to suffering. The Buddha’s big idea was to not-care. To call suffering an illusion, and have nothing to do with it. I much prefer Jesus’ solution to suffering, which is to suffer! To bear the pain of caring and to care even if it kills you.Continue reading “February 18, 2021”
February 17, 2021
02 Wes Nesker said, “Nature, like play, has no purpose or consequence other than itself.” What do we do that is like that? Eating and sex might be it for most of us. Watching birds. And clouds. And sunrises and sets. How long is your list? How often do you do something on it? WorkContinue reading “February 17, 2021”
February 16, 2021
05 For me, the pathos of “the human condition” comes down to the choices we have. Doing the best that can be done with them still leaves us bound by them limited to them, and to the choices made by those whose choosing impacted us and our choices. We all could have done better– couldContinue reading “February 16, 2021”
February 15, 2021
07 It is important to know the difference between trusting your luck and pushing your luck. It has been my experience that I can count on “invisible means of support” (Bill Moyers) whenever I venture forth in the service of what needs to be done. But to try to use that support to serve myContinue reading “February 15, 2021”
February 14, 2021
02 The greatest mystery all-time without a close competitor is the Psyche that forms the nucleus around which we revolve. The old definition of God being a circle whose center is everywhere and whose circumference is nowhere is as close as we are likely to ever get in talking/thinking about the Psyche. Words make noContinue reading “February 14, 2021”
February 13, 2021
04 Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and give glory to God.” And, Jesus said, “Do not throw your pearls before swine.” And, Jesus said, “Judge not, that you may be not judged.” What would Jesus do? Whatever Jesus would do, it would likely beContinue reading “February 13, 2021”
February 12, 2021
04 The Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara practiced “benevolence without purpose” (Joseph Campbell). He wasn’t in it for what he could get out of it. Just being what was needed, just doing what was called for, just seeing what was happening and knowing how to respond to it, “participating in the nature of things” for the good ofContinue reading “February 12, 2021”
February 11, 2021
02 We have to develop and maintain our relationship with our core– the old Taoists referred to it as our original nature. It’s our essence, our essential self, who we are –0– 01 We think in terms of freedom from all the things that keep us from being free to do what we want– asContinue reading “February 11, 2021”
February 10, 2021
03 IT DOESN’T MATTER WHAT WE BELIEVE!!! Believe it or not. That doesn’t matter either. What matters is what we do. What matters is how we live our life. Believe anything you want as long as it enables you to do what is needed, what is called for, when it is needed, where it isContinue reading “February 10, 2021”
Jim Dollar's Photography and Philosophy 