Seven Breaths
March 28th, 2008
It sounds like a lame joke but it’s true: it took me all week to figure out that I wanted to post the following bit of wisdom from the Hagakure, via Ghost Dog:
In the words of the ancients, one should make his decisions within the space of seven breaths. It is a matter of being determined and having the spirit to break through to the other side. (listen)
Certainly lines up nicely with T.H. White’s lesson on how to pull the sword from the stone, quoted earlier. One person who clearly has the spirit to break through to the other side is fickle-blogger Ryan Adams, who can make a movie and write a song called “Thursday Night” and post it on Friday morning.
“THURSDAY NIGHT” from Ryan Adams on Vimeo.
Goethe Gives Thanks
November 22nd, 2007
A friend sent this poem along apropos something entirely unrelated, but it suddenly makes sense to post it today. Haven’t been able to find an English translation yet; if anybody happens to have one handy, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment. Happy Thanksgiving all!
Im Atemholen liegen zweierlei Gnaden
Die Luft einholen, sich ihrer entladen
Dieses bedrängt, jenes erfrischt,
so wunderbar ist das Leben gemischt.
Du, danke Gott, wenn er Dich presst
Und dank ihm, wenn er Dich wieder entlässt.
