[Written by Claude, edited by ChatGPT] Born with brush in tiny fist,A canvas stretched with morning light—Each child arrives already kissedBy colors hidden from our sight. The first strokes come from gentle hands:A mother’s touch, a father’s voice,Like watercolors soft and grandThat bloom as tears and laughs rejoice. Teachers add their patient lines,Friends splash pigmentsContinueContinue reading “The Canvas of Becoming”
Author Archives: mitlily
On the Nature of the Dao
Verse 21 by Lao Zi: 孔德之容，惟道是从。道之为物，惟恍惟惚。惚兮恍兮，其中有象；恍兮惚兮，其中有物；窈兮冥兮，其中有精，其精甚真，其中有信，自今及古，其名不去，以阅众甫。吾何以知众甫之状哉？以此。 The appearance of great virtueFollows only the Dao. As for the Dao itself — it is something elusive and indistinct.Indistinct and elusive —Within it is form.Elusive and indistinct —Within it is substance.Shadowy and dark —Within it is essence.This essence is very real.Within it is truth. From ancient times until now,ItsContinueContinue reading “On the Nature of the Dao”
The Measure of Your Life
[Written by Grok] Last week, my sister handed me a copy of The Measure by Nikki Erlick, a novel that has since taken up residence in my mind, stirring questions I didn’t know I needed to ask. The premise is deceptively simple: one day, every person over 22 wakes up to a small wooden boxContinueContinue reading “The Measure of Your Life”
“Idiocracy” – Are We Doomed to a Dumber Future?
[Written by Gemini] My delightful young nephews recently introduced me to the cinematic masterpiece (ahem) that is “Idiocracy.” If you haven’t had the pleasure, it’s a Mike Judge creation envisioning a future 500 years from now where humanity, thanks to the intellectually gifted having fewer children than the, well, less intellectually gifted, has become profoundlyContinueContinue reading ““Idiocracy” – Are We Doomed to a Dumber Future?”
Grateful for the Gift of Running
[Written by ChatGPT] This past month, I’ve been craving something to ground me — something simple, something real. Life has felt overwhelming in so many ways. But yesterday, I did something I hadn’t done in a while: I put on a new pair of running shoes, stepped outside, and went for a run with myContinueContinue reading “Grateful for the Gift of Running”
Sometimes You Just Need to Press Pause
[Written by ChatGPT] This past month has been… a lot. Between relentless work deadlines, the weight of everyday responsibilities, and a deeply upsetting incident of cyberbullying aimed at my daughter, I felt like I was running on emotional fumes. Everything felt overwhelming, like I was stuck in a loop of stress and sadness with noContinueContinue reading “Sometimes You Just Need to Press Pause”
Drifting Like the Sea
Verse 20 by Lao Zi: 唯之与阿，相去几何？美之与恶，相去若何？人之所畏，不可不畏。荒兮，其未央哉！众人熙熙，如享太牢，如春登台。我独泊兮，其未兆；沌沌兮，如婴儿之未孩；傫傫兮，若无所归。众人皆有余，而我独若遗。我愚人之心也哉！俗人昭昭，我独昏昏。俗人察察，我独闷闷。澹兮，其若海；飂兮，若无止。众人皆有以，而我独顽且鄙。我独异于人，而贵食母。 Agreement and flattery — how far apart are they?Goodness and evil — how different are they?What people fear, one cannot but fear as well.How vast and boundless — it all seems without end! The multitude are merry,as if feasting at a grand sacrifice,as if ascending a terrace in spring.I aloneContinueContinue reading “Drifting Like the Sea”
The Paradox of “Unlearning”
Verse 19 by Lao Zi: 绝圣弃智，民利百倍；绝仁弃义，民复孝慈；绝巧弃利，盗贼无有。此三者以为文不足，故令有所属；见素抱朴，少私寡欲；绝学无忧 Abolish sagehood and discard wisdom — the people will benefit a hundredfold.Abandon benevolence and discard righteousness — the people will return to filial piety and compassion.Eliminate cleverness and forsake profit — there will be no thieves or robbers. These three things are not enough in themselves;Thus, let people haveContinueContinue reading “The Paradox of “Unlearning””
The Good Life: Ikigai and the Search for Meaning Across Cultures
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit. – Aristotle [Written by ChatGPT] What makes a life good? It’s a question philosophers, poets, and ordinary people have asked for centuries. In today’s world of hyper-productivity and hustle culture, the answer often seems to orbit one word: work. ButContinueContinue reading “The Good Life: Ikigai and the Search for Meaning Across Cultures”
A Legacy of Love: Gratitude on Mother’s Day
[Written by Claude] There’s something profound about standing in the middle of a generational chain – looking backward at the mothers who came before me and forward to the daughters who will carry on after. This Mother’s Day, my heart overflows with gratitude for this sacred connection that spans time. I think of my grandmothersContinueContinue reading “A Legacy of Love: Gratitude on Mother’s Day”
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