JAKOB'S JOURNAL

Who’s the fool?

April 2nd, 2020

Yesterday was for the fools.

But, who’s the fool?
The one who’s fooling? or the one who’s fooled?

Who cares.
We would all benefit to laugh a bit more.
It’s probably a good thing, though, that we only dedicate one day per year to the pranksters and the jokers of the world.

An entire month of it would get tiresome.

Humor is effective in a few, potent doses — once a year is good.
Work Ethic is effective in many, small, consistent efforts over time — like, 364 days in a row of it.

Don’t rush or panic, but don’t joke too much, either.

The Tortoise wins the race.

April 2 … let’s get back to our craft, fools.
First dog

April 1st, 2020

When people tell us that now isn’t a good time to get a dog, how should we take that?

If you plan to get a dog someday, there’s not a time better than… immediately.

Why? Lessons learned early always help us in the long run.

We’ll learn to listen to the people that care enough to give us good advice — vet bills, rearranging the house, pet sitter costs, chores, attention pull, FLEAS – damn it all, those fleas are miserable – bathing, whining, the need for a fence, etc. — the to-do list and costs involved in caring for a pet are NO JOKE. We usually don’t consider the true costs as much as we consider the puppy dog eyes and the cuddles.

We learn what it’s like to be responsible for another being — there’s no better teacher for that than experience. So, it’d be better to have that experience once, and know we’d rather do it again, than it would be to spend years yearning in agony for it, only to be disappointed when our perfect time feels far less than perfect… or never comes.

Responsibility is limiting — this is simple arithmetic. If we add duties and time needed to care for something, it must get subtracted from elsewhere. Choose wisely.

Responsibility is rewarding — there are VERY FEW THINGS IN THIS WORLD that can offer a lasting, deeply satisfying-to-the-core reward, and nearly all them are a direct result of responsibility and sacrifice. I’m not saying that a pet can provide that for you in particular, but the principle stands.

It teaches us far more than we can teach it.

That’s basically the rule for most things, if we’re willing to learn and grow, isn’t it?

True Story — How’s this for a challenge? Try being informed of a stay-at-home and shelter-in-place declaration by the government, and then 2 days later find out that your dog, and house, have fleas.

Nightmare.

Lessons…
When should I jump?

March 31st, 2020

That depends.
Where would you like to land?

Jumping rope?
It’s all about perfect timing.
It’s all about landing in the same spot.

Jumping jacks?
It’s all about quantity.
It’s all about landing and jumping again.

Jumping the moat?
It’s all about distance.
It’s all about landing on the other side.

If you’re wondering:
“When should I jump on that courageous, set-your-soul-on-fire, adventure-of-a-lifetime opportunity?”.

That sort of jump?
It’s all about NOW.
It’s all about never landing.
Then & Now + a poem

March 30th, 2020

There’s never been a better time in our lives to start living out our ideals and doing the things that we’ve promised for ourselves.

“One day I will ________________.“
— you (in the past)

Long before the COVID-19 crisis created global issues, many of us had still not followed through on our promises, so we ought not to use these dire times as an excuse now, either.

Yes, yesterday would have been better…

Nonetheless, here we are, set firmly in today—in the now.

Today, there’s a crisis.
Today, we’ve been ordered to stay-at-home.
Today, we’re in a great position to make good on those old promises!

I wrote this poem for people like YOU — those that wish to seize the day.

Today is yesterday’s tomorrow.

The best time was then,
no doubt,
but now is prime,
there’s no better time,
to ignite some fiery bout.

Clutch thy mind and set thy aim,
For now will soon become then.
These days are fleeting.
We know,
We know.
But now will return again.

Tomorrow’s boast: “I am your lie” —
A lesson we’ve been taught before.
So hereafter, we chase,
each day,
with haste,
the scents and sounds we adore.

And nothing more,
No,
Nothing more.
Just the things we adore,
With our now to explore,
We need not want any more.

Tomorrow is the greatest lie of them all.

What we keep delegating to some distance tomorrow, we might as well assume is dead. Sure, patience has immense value, but patience only comes when we’ve exhausted our effort or thought on the thing for that day. Patience comes AFTER we’ve done all that we can for the time being.

Making the best of this life has a lot to do with being present, and living in the ‘now’.

Be here, now, and take a step up Mt. Botl.
Today is yesterday’s tomorrow

March 30th, 2020

Today is yesterday’s tomorrow

A poem by Jakob Gollon

The best time was then,
no doubt,
but now is prime,
there’s no better time,
to ignite some fiery bout.

Clutch thy mind and set thy aim,
For now will soon become then.
These days are fleeting.
We know,
We know.
But now will return again.

Tomorrow’s boast: “I am your lie” —
A lesson we’ve been taught before.
So hereafter, we chase,
each day,
with haste,
the scents and sounds we adore.

And nothing more,
No,
Nothing more.
Just the things we adore,
With our now to explore,
We need not want any more.

AUTHOR’S NOTES:

Tomorrow is the greatest lie of them all.

What we keep delegating to some distance tomorrow, we might as well assume is dead. Sure, patience has immense value, but patience only comes when we’ve exhausted our effort or thought on the thing for that day. Patience comes AFTER we’ve done all that we can for the time being.

Making the best of this life has a lot to do with being present, and living in the ‘now’.

Be here, now, and take a step up Mt. Botl.

Who’s the fool?

First dog

When should I jump?

Then & Now + a poem

Today is yesterday’s tomorrow.

Today is yesterday’s tomorrow