Futurelawyer

#ParrotSunday - Savannah R.I.P.

It seems a long time ago; but, almost two years ago, I lost my beautiful Scarlet Macaw, Savannah. She hated everyone in the world but me, and her bonding to me was special. At my age, it would be selfish to replace her, even though I love the beauty of the Scarlets. Of course, losing a pet is nothing like losing a spouse or significant other. But, both losses can be opportunities for us to recognize that everyone and everything dies, sooner or later. It serves no rational purpose to waste valuable time being immobilized by it. I find joy in her memory, and in the memory of my lost spouse, and am busy making new happy memories. What are you doing with your life?

#WhyIAmASolo - Fewer Things To Worry About.

For much of my life, I have been a chronic worrier. Lawyers have to worry about a lot of things, so that they can advise their clients how to avoid bad consequences. They also worry about how to limit the damage from consequences that have already happened. Fear and anxiety are part of the job description. So, learning about the uselessness of worry is a life skill that takes a lifetime to learn. Stoicism teaches that we should expect bad things to happen, since they always do. But, rather than spend time worrying about them, we should be prepared for them, and accept them as they come, as if we wanted them to happen. Ultimately, the biggest worry of all, death, will come to us all. Most likely, it will be accompanied by pain and illness; but, it can also come in a moment. So, what good does it do to freeze in place, and be afraid to take a step, out of worry? Of course, the rational man will reason that it does no good whatsoever. Once you know this, you are well on your way to living a happier life. Grab the little victories. Grab the fun moments. When you make mistakes, and you will, don't paralyze yourself with worry. Deal with it. Move on. And, be happy.

So A Stoic And Cognitive Behavioral Therapist Take Over An Advice Column.

They are only telling them what they need to hear.

Pearls Before Swine - Rat And Pig Share An Anthem.

#PoetryFriday - Death

Death is stalking you. Don't wait to live until he arrives unannounced. Expect him anytime. In the meantime, live your life with joy and passion. Every single day.

"Death came knocking on my door.
He waited until Midnight.
I heard the tap, tap, tap
and knew he was there.
I peeked around the window curtain
and saw a shadow holding a staff.
In the fog of the night,
I felt a chill,
and ran to the hallway.
What if I refused to answer the door?
What if I didn’t want to go yet?
I had so much left to do.
I had a list of things
that were undone.
I had tasks to perform,
and people to support,
and I was needed.
It occurred to me that the list
might be my salvation.
I went through it in my mind,
hoping that it would delay Death
another day.
As I strenuously fought the urge
to open the door,
the tapping went quiet.
Perhaps Death had left for a while.

I went back to my list,
and put off most of the items on it.
I still had time.
I could make the list last.

In a while, though,
the tapping was back,
and became a hard knock at the door.
I went to the window,
and saw a dark figure clearly outlined.
There was no doubt he was there for me.
In knew that my list
would never be completed,
and I resigned myself to the inevitable.

Come on in,
I said.
Guests are always welcome.
I decided to give death a chance.
Perhaps he could give me a hint
at what lay beyond Midnight.
I offered him coffee,
and took a seat
in the living room.
I took my list,
burned it,
and had a last sip of coffee.
He smiled and said,
not yet.
Make another list,
and this time,
complete it.
I will be back again.
But, next time I won’t knock at the door.
He left,
and I still wondered
what lay on the other side of Midnight.

#PhilosophySunday - Lighten Up, Sandy Baby.

Who remembers the free spirited John Riggins, Redskin running back star, getting drunk at a D.C. dinner, and telling Justice Sandra Day O'Connor to "lighten up, Sandy baby" ? She took it in stride, and laughed about it, even though it was a serious breach of protocol. I was reminded of it when I saw this cartoon this morning, and thought it should be a wake up call. We waste a lot of joyous living by being too serious. In fact, we are a fragile, doomed to death, species, and we should laugh and have fun on the way to the grave. You will die. Get over it. Hold  my  beer.

 

Life Is About Taking Risks.

The Biggest Risk Is Not Taking One. The Pandemic, and mask mandates, and the scientific uncertainty over the past year has highlighted the preoccupation with avoiding risk. Risk is part of life. Each of us judges what risks are worth taking. Freedom to take risks is essential to a happy, joyous life. When someone dies because of the taking of a risk, we say: "he knew the risks". Life in a bubble, being so risk averse that we tend to stay in one place, and do nothing, is no life at all. The Stoic philosophers teach us to ignore the actions of others, and to concentrate on our own actions. If the collective other wants to avoid the risk of disease by wearing a mask, even though the risk is small, that is their right. The U.S. wouldn't be what it is if our founding fathers were risk averse. We could be killed in an instant just walking out the front door, or driving a car. Growing up, my brothers and I used to play in a creek and catch minnows in glass jars. It turns out the creek contained all sorts of interesting things. The science tells us that exposure to germs in mud and dirt is necessary for kids to develop strong immune systems. Each person should get to decide what level of risk they are willing to take, and still find a happy life. Reasonable risk makes life worth living. Get vaccinated or not. Your call. Wear a mask or not. Your call. Stay in the house and never go out. Your call. Sooner or later, something is going to get you. How are you going to spend the journey?

Make A New Plan, Stan. Just Get Yourself Free.

I'm with Rat on this one. I don't see the problem. Move on. Nothing to see here.

#WhyIAmASolo - I Don't Have To Do Job Interviews.

Asking About Work From Home At Job Interviews. As a solo, I don't have to interview and hire anyone, and I don't have to submit to probing questions about my work history, or work from home preferences. Sure, every new client interview is somewhat like a job interview; but, the statistics tell me that the prospective client needs or wants something from me, and I can usually provide it. Real job interviews carry the risk of total unemployment if they don't go well. I refuse to do them, and have never done one in my professional career. It it impossible to assess the quality of a worker or other professional in a single interview, or even several interviews. The classic, if you pass one interview, you have to go up the ladder, employment dance, is nothing more than a beauty contest and a "does this person fit our culture?" process. So, you can ask me about my work from home preferences; but, you might not get an answer you like. I think I will go walk around the block now.

Why Is This Man Smiling?

 

Terrible things are happening in our world. But, should we spend time worrying about it? Things will happen, no matter what. We should concentrate on our reactions to events, and learn to love and accept fate, whatever it brings. Because, in the final analysis, we have no control over events. Imaging a World War I soldier today as an illustration of Amor Fati (Love your Fate). Accept whatever fate brings you. It could always be worse. And, if it kills you, you no longer have any worries. This is a practical real world philosophy that can help you see the futility of worry and anxiety. Now, go face the day.

 

“If you are a soldier, you are either:

(1) at home or (2) at the Front.

If (1), you needn’t worry.

If (2), you are either (1) out of the danger zone or (2) in it.

If (1), you needn’t worry.

If (2), you are either (1) not hit, or (2) hit.

If (1), you needn’t worry.

If (2) you are either (1) trivial or (2) dangerous.

If (1), you needn’t worry.

If (2), you either (1) live or (2) die.

If you live, you needn’t worry: and – If you die, YOU CAN’T WORRY!!

So why worry?”