Random thought: Knowing when to know

Knowledge may hinder. Ignorance may liberate. Knowing when to know and when not to know, this is as important as a fluent blade.

Suzeme-No-Kumo (1434)

Sounds interesting, right? But learning everything in a when-to-know situation might be too late. If one is trying to catch up, one can be drinking from a knowledge fire hose without time to process.

This advice can apply to an executives or presidents trying to distance themselves from bad practices they know exist, but don’t want to get into the details of. For example, FBI investigations and reports on collusion…it’s a way of protecting oneself from the truth and staying out of jail.

This advice also makes for bad long-term planning.

But on the other hand, following it can lead to more fluid reactions, and a stress-free lifestyle–so there’s that; a relax and see-what-comes type of thing, as opposed to anticipation and worrying. I like that part of it.

It’s probably also good for chess and for battle for the super prepared and super trained—like the ninja, hence the sword reference. A sword is only as good as the one wielding it.

Otherwise, back into the advice jar for you–but i’ll keep a copy of it in my pocket.

My 2017 Top Ten List

2017 was a difficult year in many respects. But for me, personally, I had a pretty good year. Below is a top ten list of things that happened or that I discovered in 2017. (And yes, I know that top ten lists are corny – but it’s an end of year internet tradition, and when in Rome…)

10.  Green Party Politics – I became the secretary of the Delaware County Green Party and have a taste of what real grass roots democracy looks like. It’s not easy. In 2018 the mission is to grow the party and for us to be a lot louder.

9.  Rise of vegan restaurants and vegan items on restaurant menus. Dining out in Philly is getting much easier as more and more vegan restaurants are popping up. And if you haven’t tried Dottie’s Donuts, put that on your bucket list.

8. Public Transportation – Public transportation is relatively predictable, it has considerably lowered my transportation costs, and provides a stress free commute. The trolley is warm and comfy.

7. Family clean Saturdays – we clean on Saturdays. It’s kinda fun.

6. Martindale’s in Springfield, PA – This place is fantastic. No longer do I have to order yerba mate from Amazon, I can pick it up here. And they have a bunch of other good, hard to find stuff as well.

5. Vegan Doc Marten’s and Vegan Birkenstock’s – I wear my Docs all day, and when I get home I slip into my Birks. Happy feet equals a happy day.

4. Tempeh – enough said. Tempeh is fantastic.

3. Yoga, Aikido, and Iaito – All three activities are new this year. They keep me out of trouble and off the streets after the school bell rings.

2. This blog – Owning what I put on the internet and not being followed by ads seeking some love has been refreshing.

Honorable mention:

A. Bach – Since this is the best of list, let’s focus on the love part of my love/hate relationship with Bach. I love listening to Bach’s compositions.

B. Nutritional yeast and liquid amino provides wonderful seasoning to any dish.

1. New job – Very happy at new job, and as a bonus, there are even other vegans that work here.

2018 should be very interesting. We might see an FBI investigation against the president heat up, a war, maybe some new tech–who really knows. I will try not to get to lost in that stuff.

My goal for 2018 is to be as present and as in the moment as possible.

Happy New Year!