PROMPT: Cartoon

Daily writing prompt
What’s your favorite cartoon?

Currently, probably Rick & Morty. In my youth, I was Looney Tunes over Hanna Barbera, especially Roadrunner, Yosemite Sam, and Marvin the Martian.

PROMPT: Less of

Daily writing prompt
What could you do less of?

Contemplating the unknowable.

PROMPT: Positive Events

Daily writing prompt
What positive events have taken place in your life over the past year?

Positive? Negative? Who’s to say? Like the Taoist farmer, I’ll withhold judgement.

PROMPT: Animals

Daily writing prompt
Do you ever see wild animals?

Sure, I just saw a bird fly past my window, and I’m fairly certain that it wasn’t domesticated.

PROMPT: Favorite Place

Daily writing prompt
Do you have a favorite place you have visited? Where is it?

Every place that I visit, while I am visiting it, is my favorite place.

PROMPT: Five Things

Daily writing prompt
Share five things you’re good at.
1.) Remaining incognito. (I conceal my identity by being no one of interest.)

2.) Calling animals. (They do not come, but I maintain that I'm effective at getting their attention. They give perplexed looks and seem to be thinking, "Why is that dumb-ass human making strange noises?")

3.) Slipping on ice. (It's effortless to me.)

4.) Conveying an air of indifference. (At any given moment, you'd probably conclude that I don't give a shit.)

5.) Eating rotisserie chicken. (It's not pleasant to watch, but I leave not a scrap of meat. It's like a sun-bleached skeleton when I'm done with it.)

PROMPT: Change

Daily writing prompt
What is one thing you would change about yourself?

I think about this in yogic terms. In the niyama of yoga there are two guiding ideas that – at first – seem contradictory. Santosha is contentment. Tapas is discipline. So, on one hand, Patanjali was suggesting one needs to accept what one is (santosha,) but, on the other hand, he was suggesting that one needs to keep the fire of self-development burning (tapas.) [Note: I realize there are different readings of these two concepts, these are the versions that have resonated with me.]

These two ideas did seem at odds until I realized that they answer different questions. Contentment is the answer to “Am I enough?” Tapas is the answer to “Can I be better?”

Long story short, I see wishes such as the desire to be six inches taller or to be a celebrity as a waste of time and mental energy. However, I see the need to be a healthier and more equanimous version of myself as an ever-present driver.

PROMPT: Night or Morning

Daily writing prompt
Are you more of a night or morning person?

Morning. Whether I want to be or not.

PROMPT: Eating Meat

Daily writing prompt
What are your feelings about eating meat?

I have no strong feelings. Everything that lives becomes food, so I don’t see a sound moral argument against meat. There is certainly a nutritional argument against eating excessive quantities of meat (which I would grant many meat-eaters do) but this is not an argument for dropping meat altogether. I accept that there is a reasonable environmental argument, but — counterpoint — it’s delicious.

I see no argument at all against choosing to eat vegetarian or vegan, so I certainly wouldn’t try to talk anyone out of their decision to do so. (i.e. The “you can’t get enough protein” argument is bullshit.)

PROMPT: Wear

Daily writing prompt
What are your two favorite things to wear?

A Jetpack and Rollerblades.