Temptation

Carolyn Hax is an advice columnist for the Washington Post, today wrote the most beautifully wise, zen, piece, putting deeply philosophical concepts into the most down to earth language. The WP require registration, but I have never gotten spam because of them, so please, I believe it worthwhile.

The heart of her column? "Why we aren't more motivated to be wise in the face of temptation?"

I succumbed to my darkest thoughts today, lost hope and impetus. D joined me. It's been a rough month, emotionally and psychically, physically and financially. I used to think I got twisted by February because I record advancement of years this month. Perhaps it's just February itself.

I have a peek into the kinds of people who choose strange ways to kill themselves. Who leave the door unlocked, coffee pot going, note on the table, tarps to catch the mess. Strange death draws me in. The woman who drowned in a salsa making machine. The bungee jumper who measured the bungee from drop to ground, not allowing for any stretch, or his own height. The people who follow each other, trying to rescue the preceding person, into vats, toilet pits, wells, each succumbing to fumes in turn. Sexual antics in private planes leading to embarrassing death. I understand the fey mood, the reckless disregard, even if I always catch myself and pull back.