I think the most valuable luxury—the one that carries us through high and low times alike—is to experience tangible meaning through our actions.

It naturally follows that being able to create meaning for ourselves is something of a superpower.  I think that’s why creativity, clear perception, discipline, audacity, etc. etc. are emphasized throughout narratives/philosophies/religions—because all those qualities are conducive to empowering us so we can generate meaning for ourselves, without having to rely on eloquent figureheads.

Whether it’s from biological design or metaphysical decree doesn’t matter; certain commonalities seem to bring us together. 

And those ill-defined truths are what a writer tries to evoke, through an artful lie we like to call fiction.

When I stop depending on discipline and strategy (of which I believe intuition is a subordinate tool), then I have decided instead to depend on luck.

No thanks.

Right now I sit before a seemingly mundane, letter-marked interface.  It’s capable of forming my thoughts into wonder-filled realms, pearls of wisdom, and even weapons if I’m so inclined.

This seemingly mundane, letter-marked interface….it would be a waste not to use it.

Desire, Ego, and [all things “negative”] are often vilified as mortal enemies.  But from a macroscopic view, they’re natural phenomena arising from our limited states of being.

If left unchecked, they can certainly inflict harm, but I believe that everything have its place.  Not only that, I believe everything has its USE, depending on whether awareness has been honed, and capability has been sharpened.

So in my opinion, a sharp mind and a mature spirit can assess the “negative” for its uses or detriments according to context.  This strips away the dogmatic idea of inherent worth, and propagates the symphonic state of functional harmony.

Ironically, I find that I experience the most freedom when I apply rigorous discipline unto my being.  I gravitate toward conscious control, rather than blind reaction.

As “dark” or “light” as something may appear, if everything is formed/comprised from an all-powerful, all-loving benevolence (which, to be honest, I’m not sure is the case), then “darkness” and “lightness” become completely irrelevant in the ultimate sense.

All that matters is whether it’s the most useful option within any given moment.

Ironically, I believe this simplistic stance allows one to navigate complexity and cut past dogma by judging each moment and person context by context, allowing one to criticize “good” people for their mistakes, and letting “bad” people rise to the occasion.  This parlays into story, where the hero might have to do something questionable in order to serve a worthy aim, or when a villain can buck off their image and do something good.

I suspect it’s a harmonious way of existing throughout eons and cultures.