[Image: “Roller Coaster Tycoon Conspiracy” (click to see punchline; original here)]
From whiskey river:
Cynicism masquerades as wisdom, but it is the farthest thing from it. Because cynics don’t learn anything. Because cynicism is a self-imposed blindness, a rejection of the world because we are afraid it will hurt us or disappoint us. Cynics always say no. But saying yes begins things. Saying yes is how things grow. Saying yes leads to knowledge.
(Stephen Colbert, playing it straight for once [source])
…and:
We may ask, “What is wisdom?” It is our life itself. We not only have that wisdom, we are constantly using it. When we are cold, we put on more clothing. When hungry, we eat. When sad, we cry. Being happy, we laugh. That’s wisdom. The seasons change, the stars shine in the sky, it’s all wisdom. Regardless of whether we realize it or not, we are always in the middle of the Way. We are nothing but the Way itself.
(Taizan Maezumi [source])
…and:
What Is There Beyond Knowing?
What is there beyond knowing that keeps
calling to me? I can’tturn in any direction
but it’s there. I don’t meanthe leaves’ grip and shine or even the thrush’s
silk song, but the far-offfires, for example,
of the stars, heaven’s slowly turningtheater of light, or the wind
playful with its breath;or time that’s always rushing forward,
or standing stillin the same — what shall I say —
moment.What I know
I could put into a packas if it were bread and cheese, and carry it
on one shoulder,important and honorable, but so small!
While everything else continues, unexplainedand unexplainable. How wonderful it is
to follow a thought quietlyto its logical end.
I have done this a few times.But mostly I just stand in the dark field,
in the middle of the world, breathingin and out. Life so far doesn’t have any other name
but breath and light, wind and rain.If there’s a temple, I haven’t found it yet.
I simply go on drifting, in the heaven of the grass
and the weeds.
(Mary Oliver [source])