-=the daily grind=-

"We do not rest satisfied with the present. We anticipate the future as too slow in coming, as it in order to hasten its course; or we recall the past, to stop its too rapid flight. So imprudent are we that we wander in times which are not ours, and do not think of the only one which belongs to us; and so idle are we that we dream at those times which are no more, and thoughtlessly overlook that which alone exists. For the present is generally painful to us. We conceal it from our sight because it troubles us; and if it be delightful to us, we regret to see it pass away. We try to sustain it by the future, and think of arranging matters which are not in our power, for a time which we have no certainty of reaching.

Let each one examine his thoughts, and he will find them all occupied with the past, and the future. We scarcely ever think of the present; and if we think of it, it is only to take light from it to arrange the future. The present is never our end. The past and present are our means; the future alone is our end. So we never live, but we hope to live; and, as we are always preparing to be happy, it is inevitable we should never be so."

– Pascal, Pensees –

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The other day as I waited for my boss to finish a phone call, I browsed through a book of his on the shelf beside his table. I forget the title now but I read the random page I opened it to and in it the author was discussing how important it is to choose your friends, and how equally important it is to choose your enemies. Make sure the enemy is respectable, that he stands for something, that he is not petty nor shallow nor immature, because to a considerable degree, who you are is reflected on who you disagree with, or whose guts you hate. Minutes later somebody whose feathers I ruffled weeks ago comes in, sees me, and doesn’t acknowledge. Sayang. I’ve always been fond of this person pa naman. I think to myself, you are not my enemy. No.

If you wish to drown, do not torture yourself with shallow water.

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All of sudden I see, "almost" isn’t such a good word.

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