Thank you for sharing this vulnerability, Diamond Michael! We are here to experience human life. What is it if we don’t share ourselves and live in the experiences of life? At least in my lifetime so far, I have many cringeworthy moments but also heartfelt moments too, that is how the life lessons really stick with me. To use the phrase, “where the rubber meets the road.” 😉
This is great, Diamond-Michael. If I ever come to Fort Collins and have coffee with you, I'm going to look right through those smarty-pants glasses to the real you! 💚
Far be it from me to disagree with your friend or your Dad. I might assert that there is a far distance between "intellectual smugness" and remaining true to that which animates you. Another philosopher reportedly said, "to thine own heart be true." If you like books and "serious study," then like them. If you want to get out of the house and get loose at some point, do that. All things have a place, no? However, don't let anyone else's supposition about which is "better" pollute the most important opinion, yours. Do you. Also, I viscerally loathe the position that Black men--or anyone else, for that matter--have to always "be on." No one is always on. So what? (As is my habit, I might have missed the point. If so, I apologize!)
Understood Wil. My main point is that things feel way out of balance at the moment. I am resonating with your point though about having to always be on. I am very conscious of that.
Balance is a worthy goal. We all (should) strive for it, difficult it may be to obtain. (Unfortunately, knowing what "balance" means might be just as difficult.) I have confidence that you'll figure it out and inform the rest of us in a thoughtful way, when you do!
One of my mentors was a real proponent of allowing for highly focused periods of being “out of balance” which I’ve embraced.
That being said, writing, reading books, and drinking dirty chai’s at urbane coffeehouses can’t be my only focus in life. 😂😬 So that’s what I’m seeking to correct.
Thank you for such a beautiful post. What a great friend you have in Andrea.
This: “Perhaps that is the ultimate Tao—to find the harmony between the mind and the heart, to be both wise and wild, to write deeply but live lightly.”
Hi Diamond-Michael, being less in the intellect and more in the senses in the moment is not easy if the former was your style. I found my way but got lost again to my own amazement! Working it out once more but this time it is more difficult. If you find more of yourself, keep those aspects alive and not a one time discovery.
Like Alyssa said, vulnerable—well done my friend. Men need other men to serve as examples of how to reprogram themselves to become more human. I’ve always thought, should we actually meet in someone’s favorite Fort Collins coffee house, that we’d not only talk all things Tao and philosophical and mysticism and books, but we’d also laugh—perhaps at the absurdity of it all.
And now we have another thing to “argue” about—Buckeyes or Huskies???
A moving essay, Diamond-Michael. Before my multiple sclerosis diagnosis and my multiple flare-ups, my father always told me I don't take time to stop and smell the flowers. You have a wonderful friend.
“Men Need Men,” Yes, Yes, and Yes. Can’t wait to chat someday in person. But be forewarned, I’m all Buckeye 😝
Well, as long as Michigan and Alabama lose, we’ll be okay. Amirite?
Thank you for sharing this vulnerability, Diamond Michael! We are here to experience human life. What is it if we don’t share ourselves and live in the experiences of life? At least in my lifetime so far, I have many cringeworthy moments but also heartfelt moments too, that is how the life lessons really stick with me. To use the phrase, “where the rubber meets the road.” 😉
This is great, Diamond-Michael. If I ever come to Fort Collins and have coffee with you, I'm going to look right through those smarty-pants glasses to the real you! 💚
Hi Don. Birthday cheer your way. I saw the great picture of you and your wife. Onward and forward my friend.
Thanks DM!
Far be it from me to disagree with your friend or your Dad. I might assert that there is a far distance between "intellectual smugness" and remaining true to that which animates you. Another philosopher reportedly said, "to thine own heart be true." If you like books and "serious study," then like them. If you want to get out of the house and get loose at some point, do that. All things have a place, no? However, don't let anyone else's supposition about which is "better" pollute the most important opinion, yours. Do you. Also, I viscerally loathe the position that Black men--or anyone else, for that matter--have to always "be on." No one is always on. So what? (As is my habit, I might have missed the point. If so, I apologize!)
Understood Wil. My main point is that things feel way out of balance at the moment. I am resonating with your point though about having to always be on. I am very conscious of that.
Balance is a worthy goal. We all (should) strive for it, difficult it may be to obtain. (Unfortunately, knowing what "balance" means might be just as difficult.) I have confidence that you'll figure it out and inform the rest of us in a thoughtful way, when you do!
One of my mentors was a real proponent of allowing for highly focused periods of being “out of balance” which I’ve embraced.
That being said, writing, reading books, and drinking dirty chai’s at urbane coffeehouses can’t be my only focus in life. 😂😬 So that’s what I’m seeking to correct.
This. "...writing, reading books, and drinking dirty chai’s at urbane coffeehouses can’t be my only focus in life."
Indeed. Hard to argue with that!
Thank you for such a beautiful post. What a great friend you have in Andrea.
This: “Perhaps that is the ultimate Tao—to find the harmony between the mind and the heart, to be both wise and wild, to write deeply but live lightly.”
Is definitely the way 💙
Hi Diamond-Michael, being less in the intellect and more in the senses in the moment is not easy if the former was your style. I found my way but got lost again to my own amazement! Working it out once more but this time it is more difficult. If you find more of yourself, keep those aspects alive and not a one time discovery.
Agree. Great point. It’s quite the journey for sure.
Wow! Your writing is INCREDIBLE! Thank you for your vulnerability. That’s how a writer connects with the reader. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
You are so kind. Much appreciated. It’s a work in progress.
Like Alyssa said, vulnerable—well done my friend. Men need other men to serve as examples of how to reprogram themselves to become more human. I’ve always thought, should we actually meet in someone’s favorite Fort Collins coffee house, that we’d not only talk all things Tao and philosophical and mysticism and books, but we’d also laugh—perhaps at the absurdity of it all.
And now we have another thing to “argue” about—Buckeyes or Huskies???
Love the expression 'to be both wise and wild'. I really enjoyed this post.
Tao de Ching in the words of Lao tzu the author
A moving essay, Diamond-Michael. Before my multiple sclerosis diagnosis and my multiple flare-ups, my father always told me I don't take time to stop and smell the flowers. You have a wonderful friend.
Thought of you this morning while researching the Depaul Art Museum. Can’t wait to go!
It's small but has fantastic art. Right off the Fullerton brown line.