Missed Opportunities

It seems the internet has finally caught up with real life. It now knows what kind of clothes you like, your favorite style of music, and what your favorite literature genre is. And on almost  every website you go to, you see the ads that prove your computer knows you better than you know yourself. Buy this shirt, it seems to yell, because you bought one just like it last month, and from the same seller. Or, download this book because it's just like the last one you read. And, buy this lawn ornament because it's the same one you bought last year, and from the same retailer. Somehow, "they" know whatever it was you bought last year didn't make it to this year.

At first I thought this was a really nice feature of being on the internet. I didn't have to search too hard for stuff I liked. But the more I thought about it, the less I liked it. How would I ever know what else was out there if I didn't look? Maybe there was a shirt I would like better; or a different style of music that would be interesting and  fascinating. Or a different type of literature that I would enjoy.

But, no, how could there be? The internet always directed me to what I liked. I never had to look at opposing political views, or non-fiction books about Asia, or anything to do with economics. All I had to do was click on the ad in front of me. But then I thought, how can you learn anything new if you just stay with what you are used to?

Maybe I got tired of not hearing about new ideas, of not learning new things. Maybe joining a book club was my first act of rebellion against being stagnant. I hope there's more to come.

New Year's Day

A new start, or just another day? A day for looking back, for looking forward, or just looking around. A day for letting go of bad thoughts; forgetting bad deeds, both those committed against us and those committed by us; looking forward to what lies ahead. Looking forward to doing good and living well.

Time to make resolutions which will probably be very similar to last year's, and which I will break today or tomorrow or next week , if I'm very determined. Lose weight, exercise, write more, be kinder, spend more time with family and friends and less time thinking only of myself. These good intentions always seem to hover around the edges of my  consciousness, but one way or another, are usually ignored. There seems to be a curtain drawn between my good intentions and my real life. Is this an iron curtain or a cotton one? Will I be able to get through it? Only time will tell.

After thinking long and hard, I have decided to make two resolutions only:
          1. Live well
          2. Live good

Per Olov Enquist: “One day we shall die. But all the other days we shall be alive.”