There was an attempt

When was the last time you tried something new—I mean really new?

The tried and true remain a foundation of daily living but the will to step out on a limb is vital, both for the individual spirit and the health of our species. How else could we have discovered milk can be preserved by dipping frogs in it? No, seriously, look it up.

Trying new things is dangerous and fun. It’s all belly laughs and broken ribs. Sorry, that’s just the mid-rift crisis talking. 

I return periodically to the Analects of Confucius, who had his own, respected forebears.

The Master said, at 15 I set my heart upon learning

At 30, I had planted my feet firm upon the ground.

At 40, I no longer suffered from perplexities.

At 50, I knew what were the biddings of heaven.

At 60, I heard them with docile ears.

At 70, I could follow the dictates of my own heart; for what I desired no longer overstepped the boundaries of right.

The joys and obligations of liberty lie in both ritual and experiment. Danger and fun attend blending the two, sometimes. A lifetime of dedication is nothing more nor less than a daily renewal of vows. The night is darkest before the dawn.

Every day is a puzzle of sameness and newness that must be fit together until it is taken apart in dreams. They say we dream whether or not we can remember and many of us cannot.

These words are black spots upon white meant to lead you to the light. Gather round with common tongues and black lungs, sing a rasping song. Conspire to aspire to inspire.

This experience is beyond belief, do you know it?

If you’ve made it this far, you can make it a little farther yet.

Believe in yourself. I do.