Thanks Sam. As always, some great pointers towards wisdom. I'm very glad I discovered your substack this year, it has been a constant source of learning for me and lots of food for thought, both comforting and challenging. Much appreciated. Wishing you and yours a very happy Christmas and every blessing of the season! 'Nadolig Llawen' from Wales, UK
My daughter lives in Philly so I got the freezing report. She was cooking Seven Fishes for her Italian friends … lookup “leftburner” on Instagram and substack.
I sit here with my 3 teenage grandkids who have never known anything but surplus. Fortunately that includes not only the material things but also the love of their parents, myself and many others. Far different than my childhood where scarcity was the norm, although I didn't realize it because that's all I and everyone else in my circle ever knew at that time. I keep wondering how my grandkids will handle times of scarcity if/when it appears later in life. Will the love they've experienced be enough to get them thru it? Hopefully it at least helps
I have to imagine it does Tom. I think we have the opportunity to blend the best of scarcity and surplus, which far outweighs only knowing scarcity. That love is a form of body armor that probably nothing can break.
I have many discussions with friends on “when enough is enough”. It seems to me that for some it is “never”. Why? It is like a “regulator gene” is missing or is it again “nature vs nurture”. Your scarcity vs abundance plays a major role. I keep coming back to a line from 1980 Smith Barney "John Housman - TV Commercial”“They make money the old fashion way, they earn it.” Do we destroy this work ethic by giving too much to our kids and they don’t have a chance to earn it?
It is an interesting thought, and my gut would say "Yes". My hunch is that it is easier to go from scarcity to surplus than from surplus to scarcity. We are simply harder and more grateful that way. How do we bring it back? The "old fashion" way? That is probably best. Thanks for dropping this here, Barry.
Finishing this post has me all caught up with you brother. I can finally say you’ve been off in one thing you’ve told me, your earlier writing was just as enjoyable and good as your current. Your style has evolved but the content, message, and power has been consistent throughout. Good shit 👊🏻
Sam. Thanks for the pause and thoughts on scarcity and abundance. I was aware of scarcity yesterday talking with a homeless man, and abundance when I saw a friend had leftover Thanksgiving turkey--still. To move the conversation towards a different answer to the question, "What, then?"I am sharing my latest post: a monk's response 500 years ago to tough times.
Merry Christmas Sam. Thank you for your thoughts on this Christmas Eve. It is encouraging to learn that the Hollywood star Denzel Washington has renounced sin and has become a minister for the LORD. It is a sign that we are slowly being freed from our mental slavery.
Always insightful Sam. I enjoy hearing about the process others have in their writing and would love to know what you have in store in the coming year. Merry Christmas.
And I'm with you. I enjoy hearing how others pursue their writing. It can never be perfected, and to many of your posts, lifelong learning is everything.
It is said (and I have verified) that a kiss makes the flow of Time stand still. If the Earth was kissed, creating a pause, that literally divided time in half; before the kiss, and after the kiss; then maybe that kiss was Christ. Tangential you say ! Maybe not ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uuvz6OvJ0Y0&t=220s
I find your thoughts and how you present them here are fascinating. I, for one, would be very interested to read about how you approach it!
Rock on, thank you Erik.
Thanks Sam. As always, some great pointers towards wisdom. I'm very glad I discovered your substack this year, it has been a constant source of learning for me and lots of food for thought, both comforting and challenging. Much appreciated. Wishing you and yours a very happy Christmas and every blessing of the season! 'Nadolig Llawen' from Wales, UK
Greg, as always, I'm grateful. Thank you for your many insights along the way, and Merry Christmas to you and yours in Wales!
Well said. Ditto except from the land of tall pines and spartina grasses of South Carolina.
Thank you Barry. I hope you're enjoying the warmth, by the way. It is a cool 25 degrees outside Philadelphia right now...
My daughter lives in Philly so I got the freezing report. She was cooking Seven Fishes for her Italian friends … lookup “leftburner” on Instagram and substack.
That is some fine looking food!
I sit here with my 3 teenage grandkids who have never known anything but surplus. Fortunately that includes not only the material things but also the love of their parents, myself and many others. Far different than my childhood where scarcity was the norm, although I didn't realize it because that's all I and everyone else in my circle ever knew at that time. I keep wondering how my grandkids will handle times of scarcity if/when it appears later in life. Will the love they've experienced be enough to get them thru it? Hopefully it at least helps
I have to imagine it does Tom. I think we have the opportunity to blend the best of scarcity and surplus, which far outweighs only knowing scarcity. That love is a form of body armor that probably nothing can break.
I have many discussions with friends on “when enough is enough”. It seems to me that for some it is “never”. Why? It is like a “regulator gene” is missing or is it again “nature vs nurture”. Your scarcity vs abundance plays a major role. I keep coming back to a line from 1980 Smith Barney "John Housman - TV Commercial”“They make money the old fashion way, they earn it.” Do we destroy this work ethic by giving too much to our kids and they don’t have a chance to earn it?
It is an interesting thought, and my gut would say "Yes". My hunch is that it is easier to go from scarcity to surplus than from surplus to scarcity. We are simply harder and more grateful that way. How do we bring it back? The "old fashion" way? That is probably best. Thanks for dropping this here, Barry.
Finishing this post has me all caught up with you brother. I can finally say you’ve been off in one thing you’ve told me, your earlier writing was just as enjoyable and good as your current. Your style has evolved but the content, message, and power has been consistent throughout. Good shit 👊🏻
Beast. I really appreciate your reading. Thank you.
It was a pleasure. I’ll definitely do it again one day. Helpful reminders whenever I’m tipping toward miserable beta land
Sam. Thanks for the pause and thoughts on scarcity and abundance. I was aware of scarcity yesterday talking with a homeless man, and abundance when I saw a friend had leftover Thanksgiving turkey--still. To move the conversation towards a different answer to the question, "What, then?"I am sharing my latest post: a monk's response 500 years ago to tough times.
https://open.substack.com/pub/sheilac/p/times-were-tough-christmas-eve-1513?r=scm7u&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
Thank you for sharing this bit of history Sheila!
Just a simple thank you, Sam, for the slow, considered wisdom you bring to our lives. Merry Christmas!
I really appreciate it, John. Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Merry Christmas Sam. Thank you for your thoughts on this Christmas Eve. It is encouraging to learn that the Hollywood star Denzel Washington has renounced sin and has become a minister for the LORD. It is a sign that we are slowly being freed from our mental slavery.
You’re welcome Charles, I hope you and yours have a Merry Christmas!
Always insightful Sam. I enjoy hearing about the process others have in their writing and would love to know what you have in store in the coming year. Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas to you as well.
And I'm with you. I enjoy hearing how others pursue their writing. It can never be perfected, and to many of your posts, lifelong learning is everything.
It is said (and I have verified) that a kiss makes the flow of Time stand still. If the Earth was kissed, creating a pause, that literally divided time in half; before the kiss, and after the kiss; then maybe that kiss was Christ. Tangential you say ! Maybe not ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uuvz6OvJ0Y0&t=220s
There is much thinking material here... thank you for dropping this and leaving me with some poetically deep thoughts to chew on. Merry Christmas!
Poetically said, Svana. You're very welcome.