33 Ideas and Jottings from 2023
Yep, it's a list and a good one.
I have never been one for special celebrations: Birthdays, Christmases, bar mitzvahs grand finals and the like. I am not completely removed from these types of events, as I understand there is a sense of excitement leading up to and during the Super Bowl, a Christening, or (lord help us) a wedding — something you share with others that breathes in your heart and soul.
However, my life is more like waking up every day and sensing something new, something special to behold. The upcoming unknown from the day before. This is what has fulfilled me and sustained me all these years. I am very grateful for that.
I leave you this festive season with 33 ideas or just interesting things that popped up in 2023.
And a big heartfelt thanks for reading and sharing what I put out.
Best to you and keep on.
CJ Wild
The world is still getting more loopy by the day but humanity continues on the well worn track. Elon Musk’s ego gets bigger, much like the planetary ego. Where’s it all going? … Where do we come from? Where do we go? Only the Sage knows and the Sage knows such questions are profitless…
Renewable energy adoption is accelerating. A graph of solar over the decades.
Birds are still my favourite animal. The songs, the sounds they manage to bring forth into this dimension are captivating. And they are smart — well at least some kinds are.
Water and Stillness at YouTube. Nice one.
Give people money and they will do good things. When I say people, in this piece it means the homeless. In other studies in the developing world, to help alleviate poverty, giving people cash rather than goods often ends up the best option — especially if it’s given to women with a plan.
Modern Monetary Theory comes of age then gets old and withers. Oh well back to the drawing board and common sense.
Israel-Hamas War: Gabor Mate vs Piers Morgan On Palestine and Gaza | The Full Interview. Very moving.
Wooden nails — pretty cool I reckon.
Who would have thought we have an explanation for something as simple as riding a bike all wrong? Amazing!
Actor-Observer Asymmetry states that we judge others based solely on their actions, but when judging ourselves we have an internal dialogue that justifies our mistakes and bad decisions.
This years favourite lunch: Buffalo mozzarella, juicy plump tomatoes, fresh basil leaves (lots), olive oil, balsamic, salt, pepper and a fresh breadstick. Bellissimo!
Trees and other entanglements. Check this telly show out.
If the war you started is not going as well as planned use “meat waves”, or just “mow the grass” (bomb the crap out of everything and cross your fingers).
Plain Folks Fallacy says that people of authority acquire trust by presenting themselves as Average Joe’s, when in fact their authority proves the opposite.
It’s still best to refrain from mentioning vaccinations to anyone (and please, resist the urge to put a sticker on your car about the topic).
If You are Hobbling About, Don't Stop. A good one to revisit.
On a hugely practical note — how to properly deal with laundry including spraying vodka on clothes. Yes, really.
What about film of the Year? Not much on offer really. Oppenheimer, Christopher Nolan’s latest intense epic, jumps around a lot with short scenes but would be my pick for best pic. The latest Mission Impossible was silly but fun. The train scene near the end is brilliant. Doco of the year: Fire of Love. It was actually released in 2022 but I saw it this year. A pearler.
Psychedelics are moving into longevity. Really? Not sure. Could be stretching it. Interesting none-the-less.
All nuclear tests since 1945. Warning — disturbing video. In fact it’s gobsmacking. It’s quite long so I skipped through it but one gets the gist. I like the 70’s style graphics to match the vibe of the topic.
Greatness is a transitory experience. It is never consistent. It depends in part upon the myth-making imagination of humankind. The person who experiences greatness must have a feeling for the myth he is in. He must reflect what is projected upon him. And he must have a strong sense of the sardonic. This is what uncouples him from belief in his own pretensions ~ Dune by Frank Herbert
An excellent article that shows a reader how to write a great article out of a simple topic and nail it.
The hysteria of authoritarian Trump. Couldn’t go a whole year without pointing this out.
Having few opinions about the world is one of the great ways to live one’s life. One would think it has always been thus — or not.
We are not obliged to forgive ourselves or anybody for anything. For if you or others behaved in a certain way then that is how it was. That was a perfect moment of goodness or rancour or whatever was floating about at the time. If you feel okay about it all, then you need go no further. Whatever others think is their business.
Tenderness, generosity and respect — what more is there?
Poetry from a fleeting, meditative moment. “You could easily mistake David Whyte’s ‘Blessing’ poems for prayers. His words marvel at everyday sublimity and express gratitude to some unseen ‘you’…conveys what he refers to as ‘the conversational nature of reality’ — a sense that there’s a distinct intimacy and presence beyond oneself in each fleeting moment, if you’re willing to contemplate it”.
Stunning street art — before and after shots.
ChatGPT. What a revolution this will bring to many areas of communication on this earth plane. I tried it and was astounded. If you haven’t done so already give it a shot. It’s very simple.
A Dreams a Dream from Soul 2 Soul. Great 90’s dance beat, violin, flute, keyboards and uplifting vocals. An underrated pop masterpiece.
One of the most important disciplines is to “tolerate all things”. That is: the initiate perceives others and things in light of their individual development.
One of my favourite clips on youtube: One man’s extraordinary gorilla encounter. For me it’s very emotional.
I will leave you with the parable of the Taoist farmer who owned a horse: “You are very lucky!” the villagers used to say, “to have a horse to help you with your work!” “Maybe,” the farmer replied. One day the farmer didn’t close the gate properly and the horse escaped. “Oh no! What a disaster!” his neighbours cried. “Such terrible misfortune!” “Maybe,” the farmer replied. A few days later the horse returned, bringing with it six wild horses. “How fantastic! Now you are rich!” the villagers told him. “Maybe,” the farmer replied. The following week the farmer’s son was breaking-in one of the wild horses when it kicked out and broke his leg. “Oh no, such bad luck”, was the cry. “Maybe,” the farmer replied. Then the army came and conscripted all the able-bodied young men, but the farmer’s son was spared…
I love putting out Lighthouse33 so thanks for reading! We are all on some kind of remarkable quest and my wholehearted goal is to provide a little illumination on your journey.
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