The petrichor after the rain brought back some of the most pleasant memories of my childhood.

I'm feeling under the weather today with a runny nose, congestion and fever. I hope to feel better soon!

#Zap zap #zapping like lightning in the sky, On the #zapathon to make my spirit fly, I’m breaking free from the chains that bind, And leaving all my fears and doubts behind.

I was wondering if anyone could give me an estimate of how much it would cost to run a Nostr relay? And what kind of skills are required to run one? Thank you! #asknostr

Yet, in the paradox of shifting sands, a truth lay buried deep, Change begins when you cease to chase, when in yourself you seep. For in the crucible of acceptance, the tender flames of self unfold, The alchemy of self-discovery, more precious than any gold.

One might think that to change, one must strive to be different. However, meaningful personal change comes from acceptance of oneself.

Hickory, dickory, dock, Time ran out on the boy's life clock, "Do something, do something," the echoes mock, Yet, he found peace on his solid rock.

"Do something, do something," the relentless refrain, The symphony of his existence, a melodius pain. Achievement is his shelter, success his chain, "Do something, do something," again and again.

Through the corridors of trauma, the voice continues to ring, Authority's puppet, dancing on a string. "Do something, do something," the echoes sing, A melody of guilt, each note stinging.

"Most people are usually in too much of a hurry to resolve conflicts. Because such conflicts are painful, and often involve suffering, we wish to escape them as quickly as possible. But this short-circuits the process. Waiting is an important part of learning. The teaching-learning process must involve acceptance and encouragement of prolonged periods of struggle and also of periods of seeming inactivity and lack of resolution. Because, to a certain extent, conflict, struggle, and the drive toward some form of resolution and interpretation are natural and daily occurrences, the affirmation and encouragement of waiting may be the most important thing we have to teach." —Craig Dykstra

"The interlude is a crucial phase of the learning process, and it must be built into the way in which one teaches. Learners need to be given time and space in which to wait, and be encouraged to use it." —Craig Dykstra

"As much as it is the teacher's responsibility to guide the explorations of the learners, the teacher does not and cannot pretend to do the exploration for the learners. What the teacher sees is important. But it is not so important as that the learners see, and see in their own terms. The revelation of the mystery of a particular reality is not the teacher's to give. Teachers do not provide new ways of seeing, or the appropriate understanding and fitting action that follow from it. Rather, they provide occasions for the learners' own new visions, understandings, and actions.... Such insights, understandings, and actions may very well be ones the teacher does not or cannot preconceive. The teacher does not define in advance what insights, understandings, and actions are hoped for, but may have to learn what true vision, appropriate understanding, and fitting action mean from the learners. In spite of the fact that the teacher directs learning, the teacher also learns from the learners. The teaching-learning process is profoundly mutual and participatory." —Craig Dykstra

"The moral teacher teaches by helping learners, in the context of encounters with particular realities, to come to normative-descriptive words that really fit, and that provide a new vision that can help us find a new way through our conflicts." —Craig Dykstra

"The teacher's task is to find words, and help others find words, which actually do clarify what is going on." —Craig Dysktra

"[W]ords themselves do not contain wisdom. Words said to particular individuals at particular times may occasion wisdom." —Iris Murdoch

Take a moment to reflect on your pursuits. Consider whether they align with your true desires and values, or whether they are driven by an attempt to fill the primordial lack—a fundamental sense of incompleteness. Our sense of self-worth isn't something that can be "completed." Remind yourself that your worth is not defined by your achievements or the recognition you receive, but by how you are as a person—your way of being.

The Fear of Missing Out, it can sway, Lead you astray, in the fray of the day. But remember, dear friend, in this game of chance, It's your strategy, not fear, that should lead the dance.

Dear Family, Today, I find myself compelled to bring to light some deeply rooted sentiments and thoughts, sentiments that have subtly shaped our existence, often cloaked in silence but resonating powerfully within us. These feelings are rooted in shared experiences that have been part of our journey—experiences of lack of emotional support during our formative years, and the combined trauma that has seamlessly intertwined itself into the fabric of our lives. I approach this topic with a degree of hesitation, but I also know that it calls for our collective understanding and compassion. In observing our family dynamics over the years, I've discerned a recurring pattern, a subconscious propensity to judge ourselves and our family members (especially children) against the yardstick of those relatives who are viewed as "practical" or embodiments of "success." This relentless comparison has fed a persistent feeling of guilt and worthlessness within me, feelings I suspect aren't entirely unfamiliar to most of us. However, I've begun to understand that there's a vast chasm between accepting the reality of our situations, as challenging as they might be, and feeling worthless because our lives don't mirror those of "practical" and "successful" others. Our value, as human beings, does not hinge on external achievements, outward accomplishments, financial success, or societal approval. Our worth lies within our humanity, our sincerity, our truthfulness, our passions, our experiences, and our unique journeys through life in this world. It is crucial that we recognize and sit with these feelings—the guilt, the shame, the seeming worthlessness. They might be distressing to confront, but they form part of our collective experience. They are not to be evaded (through a constant pursuit of achievements and success), but approached with tenderness and compassion. By embracing and listening to these emotions, we can begin to break the chain of emotional detachment and start to feel again—to reconnect with our true selves. Embarking on this voyage of acknowledgment and healing won't be easy, but it's essential. It's also about rethinking our understanding of success in life, reclaiming our inherent self-worth, and recognizing the genuine voices, dreams, visions, virtues, strengths and resilience within us. Our lives are not defined by how they stack up against others, but by how we chart our own course, how we rise from our experiences, and how we evolve through our unique narratives. Let us undertake this journey of healing together, offering mutual support as we navigate this demanding landscape. With Love

We often read about other people's lives. But there's a special kind of peace that let's us immerse ourselves in the pages of novels and biographies with our minds open to a world of experiences, emotions, and insights. We are not in a race with the characters we meet. Instead we explore the richness of human life and draw inspiration from the tapestry of their experiences—finding common threads that weave our stories together. We learn from their journeys without losing sight of our own path. We are not diminished by their lights, but enlightened, encouraged to find our own voices, our own visions. Here, away from the pressure to conform, we are not shadowed by feelings of worthlessness. We find the freedom to simply be, to embrace our lives with all their imperfections, and to carve our own narratives.

His roots in soil, soaked with tears, Nourished by neglect, fed by fears. Yet in his heart a secret flame, Burned bright against the chilling rain.