How about a visit from this little book: Ifferisms An Anthology of Aphorisms That Begin with the Word If - Dr. Mardy Grothe Let's dive into a week of these fun little quotes.

If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself but to your own estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment. - Marcus Aurelius

Timeless wisdom from one of my favorite ancient authors. You have the power to revoke at any time. Your feelings and reactions to an experience are within your possession. People striving for balance, integration and emotional maturity strive to recognize the truth of Emperor Aurelius' wisdom. This current chapter in the West is the exact opposite of such wisdom. Feelings are unquestionable and subsequentially beyond challenge except by the possessor of the such enshrined feelings. BUT, and there is often a big butt, not all feelings are created equal.

Depending on your story of victimology, oppression and insufferable-isms that have plagued your life, your feeling are probably worth more than those who have actually tried to follow the wisdom of Marcus Aurelius. It is hard to know where you stand in the evolving hierarchy of grievance, but hances are you are on the bottom if you are a supported of Locals. Even if you possess a few check boxes of "poor-me-isms", it is not enough if you question the narrative, dare to ask questions, or gasp act like an individual. Of course much of this paragraph is facetious, but in any humor there are threads of truth.

If your happiness depends on what somebody else does, I guess you have a problem. - Richard Bach

I guess many people have problems, apparently we have breeding grounds for the cultivation of such mental and emotional problems. Return to what you can really effect and change, your attitude and your life. To focus anywhere else is to ignore what is foundational and essential. Discern participation in systems that promote such unhealthy states of living. I am not saying don't participate, but when you do, use some wisdom to filter out the garbage and poison.

If I have learned anything in my life, it is that bitterness consumes the vessel that contains it. - Rubin "Hurricane" Carter

Amen.

Have a great Monday friends from across Locals, all you Friends & Refugees, Phamily & ADD Irregulars and all the rest of you fine souls.

August in Kenya