The fountains mingle with the river
And the rivers with the ocean,
The winds of heaven mix forever
With a sweet emotion;
Nothing in the world is single;
All things by a law divine
In one spirit meet and mingle.
Why not I with thine? --
See the mountains kiss high heaven
And the waves clasp one another;
No sister-flower would be forgiven
If it disdained its brother;
And the sunlight clasps the earth
And the moonbeams kiss the sea:
What is all this sweet work worth
If thou kiss not me?
Tag Archives: Philosophy of Life
PROMPT: Spirituality
If by “spirituality” one means some kind of attachment to the supernatural, then not at all important. If by “spirituality” one means experiencing the world with a sense of awe, wonderment, and unmitigated bliss, then very important.
PROMPT: Passionate
Being a better version of myself with each new day.
“Much Madness is divinest Sense” (620) by Emily Dickinson [w/ Audio]
BOOKS: “Improv Wisdom” by Patricia Ryan Madson
Improv Wisdom: Don’t Prepare, Just Show Up by Patricia Ryan MadsonMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Publisher’s Website
One might expect this to be a book about how to perform improvisational comedy, but it’s better described as a philosophy of life that employs lessons from improv. There are books that take a much more tailored approach to building an improv act. This one, rather, broadens its target demographic from those interested in theater and comedy to everybody. It discusses applying lessons such as default to positivity (the famous “Yes, and…” of improv) both on and beyond the stage.
Each of the thirteen chapters is built around a maxim that might be heard in an improv theater or troupe. The crux of the matter is building the confidence and sense of freedom to be able to behave spontaneously in an environment that’s stressful and somewhat chaotic. Most of the lessons approach an aspect of the problem of surrender and free response action, though there are broader lessons such as the benefits of gratitude and helpfulness. While I call the book’s content a philosophy of life, the author doesn’t spend a lot of time drilling down into established philosophies, with the exception of Buddhism — specifically of the Zen variety. As one might imagine, Zen — with its emphasis on non-attachment and avoidance of overthinking — has a substantial overlap with the approach to living that Madson is proposing.
“Improv Wisdom” is set up as a self-help book, featuring not only lesson-based organization but also offering a few exercises in each chapter.
This is a quick read and might prove to be of great benefit to those who have never thought much about the challenges and lessons of improv. The book can’t be said to be groundbreaking in terms of the lessons it presents, but its focus on what improv elucidates about these lessons is interesting and unique.
View all my reviews
Five Wise Lines [May 2024]
Play is a state of mind, rather than an activity.
Stuart brown in PLay: How it shapes the brain, opens the imagination, and Invigorates the soul
My sins are running out behind me, and I do not see them, and today I come to judge the sins of another!
From Sayings of the Desert Fathers
(A Senior Monk’s reply upon being asked to Judge a younger monk’s actions)
Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth! But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
Matthew 5: 38&39
I have no scepter, but I have a pen.
Voltaire to Fredrick the great
If a man is born to error, let us wish him virtuous errors.
Voltaire; ON Superstition
Countless Pieces of Hate [Free Verse]
PROMPT: Work / Life Balance
How do you balance work and home life?
Live in the moment.
PROMPT: Leader / Follower
Are you a leader or a follower?
That’s a tough one because I think most people who would describe themselves as followers have failed to write their story boldly enough. Yet, the majority of people who describe themselves as leaders are more full of hot-air than of the capacity to inspire others to action.
I’d say, overall, I’m neither a good follower nor a good leader, but in varied contexts – as necessary – I can pull off either.
I think it might just be a false dichotomy.
PROMPT: Improvement
What’s one small improvement you can make in your life?
Realize you have no control of what happens in the world, but complete control of your perception of it.




