Wisdom of a Two-Year-Old
I was at the park the other day with my daughter and we were having a great time outside. We had been trying to potty train her for a couple of weeks (she is now diaper-free!). We started by teaching her to tell us whenever her diaper needed to be changed so she could associate the actions.
So, it was extremely funny when she suddenly turned to me and said, "아빠, I pooped!" loud enough for the entire park to hear it. While everyone around me stifled giggles and grins, I realized that there is wisdom in that.
Sometimes, you just need to talk about what is going on.
Showing posts with label philosophy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label philosophy. Show all posts
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Thursday, April 25, 2013
April, the Month of the Cold Shower: Day 25 (I came. I saw. I cold showered.)
April 25, 2013
I came. I saw. I cold showered.
My cold shower this morning gave me a ton of energy and I feel like I can take on anything in the world! Yesterday had more than its fair share of stress at work. Those high-stress days can really drag you down and leave you feeling defeated, but each morning brings a new opportunity: the opportunity to start all over again and make it better than the day before. It all starts again with that new sunrise and you get another chance at changing the world.
And what better way to begin that endeavor than a super-cold highly-charged kick start cold shower?
That being conquored, I am ready for a new day full of success!
I came. I saw. I cold showered.
My cold shower this morning gave me a ton of energy and I feel like I can take on anything in the world! Yesterday had more than its fair share of stress at work. Those high-stress days can really drag you down and leave you feeling defeated, but each morning brings a new opportunity: the opportunity to start all over again and make it better than the day before. It all starts again with that new sunrise and you get another chance at changing the world.
And what better way to begin that endeavor than a super-cold highly-charged kick start cold shower?
That being conquored, I am ready for a new day full of success!
Saturday, April 20, 2013
April, the Month of the Cold Shower: Day 21 (Awaken the Sprit)
April 21, 2013
Water, water, everywhere! One of the four elements of alchemy, cause of the great flood, key component in the rite of baptism, life-giving, refreshing, essential... water is all of these things, and more. I would venture a guess that water plays an important spiritual role in most world religions.
Incorporated into the morning routine, the cold shower can provide a spiritual renewal on a daily basis. What better way to start the day?
Conclusion #9: Cold showers have spiritual benefits.
Water, water, everywhere! One of the four elements of alchemy, cause of the great flood, key component in the rite of baptism, life-giving, refreshing, essential... water is all of these things, and more. I would venture a guess that water plays an important spiritual role in most world religions.
Incorporated into the morning routine, the cold shower can provide a spiritual renewal on a daily basis. What better way to start the day?
Conclusion #9: Cold showers have spiritual benefits.
Thursday, April 18, 2013
April, the Month of the Cold Shower: Day 18
April 18, 2013
Hot water is a luxury. It is something that a lot in the modernized world consider a basic need but many (I would venture to say a majority) live without. Even though I was not able to get a statistic on this, I would guess that the number of people that consider hot water essential to daily living to be in the minority.
Think about all of the energy that is expended on heating water. Much of this comes from non-renewable resources and is unhealthy for the environment, all in the name of comfort. After going for almost three weeks showering only with cold water, I can see how the consumption of hot water can be wasteful.
Cold showers are simple. They satisfy the basic need of cleanliness, with several added benefits, and conserve energy otherwise used for luxury.
Hot water is a luxury. It is something that a lot in the modernized world consider a basic need but many (I would venture to say a majority) live without. Even though I was not able to get a statistic on this, I would guess that the number of people that consider hot water essential to daily living to be in the minority.
Think about all of the energy that is expended on heating water. Much of this comes from non-renewable resources and is unhealthy for the environment, all in the name of comfort. After going for almost three weeks showering only with cold water, I can see how the consumption of hot water can be wasteful.
Cold showers are simple. They satisfy the basic need of cleanliness, with several added benefits, and conserve energy otherwise used for luxury.
Sunday, April 14, 2013
April, the Month of the Cold Shower: Day 14 (Shower for World Peace)
April 14, 2013
Back in my homeland in Minnesota, we would usually try swimming in April as soon as the snow had melted off of the lake. This is some of the coldest water I have ever experienced, aside from glacial-fed lakes in the high country of the Colorado Rockies (the subject for another post series). After jumping in and out of the early-spring water, we would dry off as fast as possible and warm up by the campfire. As the fire warmed you up, you would start to experience a very calm, peaceful feeling. It wasn't like feeling tired or drained of energy, but more of a relaxed, super-aware state of mind. The rest of the day would go by well and you would feel calm, agreeable, and very content with life in general.
Could cold showering be a part of the world peace equation?
I've noticed that my days now go by very pleasantly, I don't let little things get to me, and when any conflict arises, I am able to resolve it quickly and effectively.
Conclusion #7: Cold showers help you chill out (pun very much intended!).
See also:
April, the Month of the Cold Shower: Day 3 (April showers bring May flowers...)
Back in my homeland in Minnesota, we would usually try swimming in April as soon as the snow had melted off of the lake. This is some of the coldest water I have ever experienced, aside from glacial-fed lakes in the high country of the Colorado Rockies (the subject for another post series). After jumping in and out of the early-spring water, we would dry off as fast as possible and warm up by the campfire. As the fire warmed you up, you would start to experience a very calm, peaceful feeling. It wasn't like feeling tired or drained of energy, but more of a relaxed, super-aware state of mind. The rest of the day would go by well and you would feel calm, agreeable, and very content with life in general.
Could cold showering be a part of the world peace equation?
I've noticed that my days now go by very pleasantly, I don't let little things get to me, and when any conflict arises, I am able to resolve it quickly and effectively.
Conclusion #7: Cold showers help you chill out (pun very much intended!).
See also:
April, the Month of the Cold Shower: Day 3 (April showers bring May flowers...)
Thursday, April 11, 2013
April, the Month of the Cold Shower: Day 11 (the need for speed?)
April 11, 2013
When I first began this experiment series, I concluded that cold showering saves time. This morning was amazing, too; I was in and out of the bathroom (shaving included) in less than four minutes)! I was surprised with myself and how little time one actually requires to adequately prepare for the day. I stepped out, looked at the sun coming up, and smiled; I woke up at 5:00 and by 5:15 I was out the door. I was so excited that I had cut my preparation time so drastically!
That brings me to a big philosophical point that I debated on my drive to work: is there really any need to rush through the morning routine? Isn't it more important to prepare for the day in a way that is positive? Does that mean that cold showering might not be for everyone? Does cold showering even matter?
Let's take a look at these questions one at a time and see where this leads my conclusions:
Is there really any need to rush through the morning routine?
Well, I think that a long, hot shower that lasts 20-30 minutes is wasteful of time, water, and money. A shower routine that is this long could definitely stand to some time reduction and streamlining. I'm actually not sure if I could stand for 30 minutes and not get bored! But, is there really any need for a four-minute in-and-out routine, like mine was this morning? Probably not.
Isn't it more important to prepare for the day in a way that is positive?
A person's day should start out right, and that would include taking a good shower, shave, etc. While a super-fast morning preparation might not be right for everyone, dawdling and poking around, taking your sweet time, spinning your wheels, and wasting time is not a good way to start the day either.
Does that mean that cold showering might not be for everyone?
I think that certain health conditions might make cold showering dangerous and not advisable, but I think that many people could benefit from it.
Does cold showering even matter?
We shall see, by the end of this post series, how I conclude this experiment!
When I first began this experiment series, I concluded that cold showering saves time. This morning was amazing, too; I was in and out of the bathroom (shaving included) in less than four minutes)! I was surprised with myself and how little time one actually requires to adequately prepare for the day. I stepped out, looked at the sun coming up, and smiled; I woke up at 5:00 and by 5:15 I was out the door. I was so excited that I had cut my preparation time so drastically!
That brings me to a big philosophical point that I debated on my drive to work: is there really any need to rush through the morning routine? Isn't it more important to prepare for the day in a way that is positive? Does that mean that cold showering might not be for everyone? Does cold showering even matter?
Let's take a look at these questions one at a time and see where this leads my conclusions:
Is there really any need to rush through the morning routine?
Well, I think that a long, hot shower that lasts 20-30 minutes is wasteful of time, water, and money. A shower routine that is this long could definitely stand to some time reduction and streamlining. I'm actually not sure if I could stand for 30 minutes and not get bored! But, is there really any need for a four-minute in-and-out routine, like mine was this morning? Probably not.
Isn't it more important to prepare for the day in a way that is positive?
A person's day should start out right, and that would include taking a good shower, shave, etc. While a super-fast morning preparation might not be right for everyone, dawdling and poking around, taking your sweet time, spinning your wheels, and wasting time is not a good way to start the day either.
Does that mean that cold showering might not be for everyone?
I think that certain health conditions might make cold showering dangerous and not advisable, but I think that many people could benefit from it.
Does cold showering even matter?
We shall see, by the end of this post series, how I conclude this experiment!
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Philosophy 101
Cooler weather is on the way! Highs in the 70s this weekend, finally!
Enough whining about the weather, how about a little philosophy? I usually require about one full bottle of red wine before I become really philosophical, but this little pearl of wisdom is based purely on coffee. I believe that the capstone to anyone's character has little to no relation or resemblance to the base, and this must be built on honesty. I've always subscribed to the notion of filling a pyramid from the bottom to the top, starting with a sound architectural foundation and increasing from there until the peak is reached. The most necessary and solid material must be at the foundation, and this must be of honesty. Honesty can be no capstone or afterthought, it cannot be a finishing touch or a cloak worn as one's adornment; it must be at the very core of the individual.
How's that for a little mid-week food for thought?
Enough whining about the weather, how about a little philosophy? I usually require about one full bottle of red wine before I become really philosophical, but this little pearl of wisdom is based purely on coffee. I believe that the capstone to anyone's character has little to no relation or resemblance to the base, and this must be built on honesty. I've always subscribed to the notion of filling a pyramid from the bottom to the top, starting with a sound architectural foundation and increasing from there until the peak is reached. The most necessary and solid material must be at the foundation, and this must be of honesty. Honesty can be no capstone or afterthought, it cannot be a finishing touch or a cloak worn as one's adornment; it must be at the very core of the individual.
How's that for a little mid-week food for thought?
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