I'm currently sitting in Fiction Café in Brooklyn where I met a friend for a coffee (and smoke) this morning, and when I went to buy a pack (green American Spirits because why not), I didn't really analyze my decision to self-harm like this. I mean, it was basically compulsive, and it's a social activity (even though I smoke alone too). I've told myself I shouldn't buy them (only bum!), because that's hard-earned money that goes toward the destruction of my lungs and the strengthening of dependencies. But, today, I did. And so I've put coffee, tobacco and menthol into my system today, and wouldn't you know—I have a bit of a thumping in my head...
So, I know how this sounds. I never thought I'd be a 'smoker,' and I've always admired anyone who resists temptations on principle (I didn't score high on this on the VIA Survey). Ultimately, it's up to me what I do with this pack. I could throw it away, give it to someone else, smoke them all in a day or two, smoke a majority of them over the course of a month—the money's already been spent; I can't undo that. But maybe I can exercise some self-control this time. I certainly don't want to smoke another one right now. Anyone reading this, what would you do with it? Say you started this habit recently, and it's kind of fun, very New York, but it does feel...dirty.
Anyway, my greatest strength according to the VIA Institute is...
Love! Valuing close relations with others, in particular those in which sharing & caring are reciprocated; being close to people.
Creativity was second to this, and there's actually plenty of evidence in recent memory of this being true. The past two days, I took time to myself to be "creative" but I don't think my creative spirit and I were all that close. I felt a bit lonely and yearned for someone to reciprocate love with. Over the past year I think I've learned to see the love in my life very clearly. And the reflections in that clarity are so appeasing—I would be majorly satisfied with just that. It's almost as if that's what's central to the 'proper-life-world' of the human being.
Thank you for "Hello My Friends" dear O. I love the game you play with Michael. My friend was telling me about DnD the other day and it piqued my curiosity in the same way joining an improv team or co-writing a play does. Love may come first but Creativity is a full-throttle second. They run together.
Love and creativity. Of course! I'm not at all surprised. What were your other front-runners?
As for your American Spirits, you will have decided what to do with them over the past week, but for the future I wouldn't put much stock on something being "very New York" -- I hear rats are very New York, too, and you're not going to smoke them...I hope. Not being one to spend much time dwelling on the sins of others, I'd like to say "smoke 'em if you got 'em", but a bigger part of me wants to advise you to forego purchasing any more. As you said, smoking is an expensive habit, objectively bad for your health, and personally I never found much enjoyment in cigarettes. Having smoked a few in my day, I never understood the hubbub. In the end, though, it's up to you. If you don't mind the smell on your fingers and the gunk in your lungs, make a chimney of yourself.
I'm currently sitting in Fiction Café in Brooklyn where I met a friend for a coffee (and smoke) this morning, and when I went to buy a pack (green American Spirits because why not), I didn't really analyze my decision to self-harm like this. I mean, it was basically compulsive, and it's a social activity (even though I smoke alone too). I've told myself I shouldn't buy them (only bum!), because that's hard-earned money that goes toward the destruction of my lungs and the strengthening of dependencies. But, today, I did. And so I've put coffee, tobacco and menthol into my system today, and wouldn't you know—I have a bit of a thumping in my head...
So, I know how this sounds. I never thought I'd be a 'smoker,' and I've always admired anyone who resists temptations on principle (I didn't score high on this on the VIA Survey). Ultimately, it's up to me what I do with this pack. I could throw it away, give it to someone else, smoke them all in a day or two, smoke a majority of them over the course of a month—the money's already been spent; I can't undo that. But maybe I can exercise some self-control this time. I certainly don't want to smoke another one right now. Anyone reading this, what would you do with it? Say you started this habit recently, and it's kind of fun, very New York, but it does feel...dirty.
Anyway, my greatest strength according to the VIA Institute is...
Love! Valuing close relations with others, in particular those in which sharing & caring are reciprocated; being close to people.
Creativity was second to this, and there's actually plenty of evidence in recent memory of this being true. The past two days, I took time to myself to be "creative" but I don't think my creative spirit and I were all that close. I felt a bit lonely and yearned for someone to reciprocate love with. Over the past year I think I've learned to see the love in my life very clearly. And the reflections in that clarity are so appeasing—I would be majorly satisfied with just that. It's almost as if that's what's central to the 'proper-life-world' of the human being.
Thank you for "Hello My Friends" dear O. I love the game you play with Michael. My friend was telling me about DnD the other day and it piqued my curiosity in the same way joining an improv team or co-writing a play does. Love may come first but Creativity is a full-throttle second. They run together.
Cheers to all,
JOE
<3
Love and creativity. Of course! I'm not at all surprised. What were your other front-runners?
As for your American Spirits, you will have decided what to do with them over the past week, but for the future I wouldn't put much stock on something being "very New York" -- I hear rats are very New York, too, and you're not going to smoke them...I hope. Not being one to spend much time dwelling on the sins of others, I'd like to say "smoke 'em if you got 'em", but a bigger part of me wants to advise you to forego purchasing any more. As you said, smoking is an expensive habit, objectively bad for your health, and personally I never found much enjoyment in cigarettes. Having smoked a few in my day, I never understood the hubbub. In the end, though, it's up to you. If you don't mind the smell on your fingers and the gunk in your lungs, make a chimney of yourself.
You created your own roleplaying game?!! Bravo!!
Yes, but it's so simple that a 4-year-old can DM it.
The best Dungeon Masters are 3 feet tall, like this one:
https://dungeonsmaster.com/2012/01/dungeon-master-the-little-guy-in-red-robes/
Michael has him beat. He's probably closer to 4ft tall now. Sophie is 3ft tall exactly.