However our eyes may be dazzeled...

And  however our eyes may be dazzled, or our ears deceived by sound; 

however prejudice may warp our wills, or interest darken our understanding, 

the simple voice of nature and of reason will say, it is right.

Thomas Paine, Common Sense, 1776

Time and Mortality

"Today, my friends, we each have one day less, every one of us.  

And joy is the only thing that slows the clock."

John D. McDonald, The Scarlet Ruse, a Travis McGee novel.

Under Pressure

Wow! Urgently relevant. Incredible performances. Thanks to my neice, Emily Marlor for posting this on Facebook!

Under Pressure

Choice

“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing:

the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude..."

― Viktor E. Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning

In any situation we still choose our next action even though it may only be a thought. Even though a threat may lead to our death it does not absolutely determine our next choice or the consequences of that choice. When we experience fear the larger danger is to choose powerlessness. Closely focusing on a bully is a mistake. Listening too closely to fearful people as they make impulsive choices is a mistake.  Owning my choice and my possible outcomes gives me at least a bit of autonomy.
CMB