"Train up a fig tree in the way it should go, and when you are old sit under the shade of it."
A wonderful quote from Charles Dickens, fitting for the day I find myself in. It is also fitting that I should begin this blog with a quote, as quotes are one of my favorite forms of wisdom. Like bars of candy, the quote or aphorism gives a “Fun Size” bit of wisdom that can often come at just the right time. But enough about candy. Let’s get on to the meat and potatoes.
This, as you most likely know, is a blog. That is a funny word, and though I am usually partial to funny words there is something inherently repulsive in this particular one. I much prefer sasquatch or blubber, but I did not invent the idea, so I claim no right to naming it. Onward!
Why am I doing this? My reasons for writing this blog are threefold: Firstly, it is a wonderful way to pass the time when I have exhausted other more pressing or inviting options. In other words, I have a lot of time to spend and I need a somewhat constructive way in which to spend it. Also, I need an alternative to homework in case that ever becomes too boring. Secondly, writing about something I am interested in, or about nothing in particular, as I am right now, in addition to being a tremendously enjoyable experience, keeps my mental faculties sharpened. This will no doubt be a blessing to me as I sojourn further into the land of Huge Essays and eventually stumble blearily into the territory of the dreaded Double Digit Paper Beast. I have heard that certain specimens of these can reach lengths of 20 or more pages. Though I still shudder at the thought of facing such fiendish brutes, I am quite sure that keeping my rhetorical wits about me by writing this blog will only serve to help me in my encounters with them. Thirdly, I hope to share some small glimmer of happiness, insight, or entertainment with you, my dear reader (even if I am talking only to myself). There is much to be said for the sharing of deeper thoughts, as well as lighter ones, and this blog will serve as a resource for both.
I am not, as one might expect, writing this blog in order to share bits and pieces of my humanity with an audience of readers. I have nothing to prove; I know I am a human, and I assume most everyone else does, as well. If anyone doubts my humanity, either they are crazy or they know something that I don’t. If the latter is true, please do not alert me—ignorance is bliss, at least in this case. Further, I am not writing this blog as a replacement for a journal; I already keep a journal (albeit rather sporadically), right next to my bedside, and said journal is for personal thoughts and ideas that are not to be shared in this essentially public forum. Thus, you are not reading my innermost thoughts and feelings, you are reading the thoughts and feelings that I felt would best contribute to an effective blog entry (if, in fact, you are reading this at all).
All right! With that out of the way, I can actually get to the business of this inaugural entry, which will not be extremely lengthy. Let us return to the aforementioned Charles Dickens quote. “Train up a fig tree in the way it should go, and when you are old sit under the shade of it.” This is, of course, a takeoff on the popular Bible verse “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). That said, it is easy to see the meaning behind both sayings. They speak of the rewards of patient diligence focused toward a specific goal. Great deeds are often accomplished by Herculean effort over a short period of time; Wikipedia tells me the Empire State Building was built in just over a year, from excavation to ribbon-cutting. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empire_State_building However, there is something to be said for a comparatively minimal effort over a great period of time. I’ve seen the benefit a small amount of daily practice does for my saxophonic abilities. And a daily donation of just $1 will help to support that wonderful programming you’ve come to expect from PBS (and at the end of the year, you’ll realize they’ve conned you into making a $365 donation—luckily, I’m not speaking from experience).
Why am I saying this? Well, Dickens’ wonderful adaptation of Proverbs came to my mind this morning as I brushed my teeth. You see, through the sheer Providence of God, complemented—or perhaps implemented!—by clever scheduling, I managed to procure for the Winter term a Friday completely free of classes. It occurred to me that I could assign myself the duty of self-improvement on this weekly free day. I could commit to a specific exercise regimen for that specific day, different from the other days’ exercise. I could choose a specific jazz chord progression to practice improvising over. I could implement any number of edifying activities that would produce a more quality product (and by that I mean person) by the spring. All day I thought on these things.
It is now 9:39, and I have neither practiced nor exercised. I have, in fact, spent the day playing video games, watching movies, and eating. Perhaps the next entry should center around human nature and how to control it.
All in all, though, it’s been a great day, and it’s not over yet. I can still practice and exercise. Maybe the next entry should instead focus on the process of how to have one’s cake, and eat it too.
With confidence,
Joezilla
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