Paul Kalanithi quotes from "WHEN BREATH BECOMES AIR"

 

Science may provide the most useful way to organize empirical, reproducible data, but its power to do so is predicated on its inability to grasp the most central aspects of human life: hope, fear, love, hate, beauty, envy, honor, weakness, striving, suffering, virtue.

Human knowledge is never contained in one person. It grows from the relationships we create between each other and the world, and still it is never complete.

There is a moment, a cusp, when the sum of gathered experience is worn down by the details of living. We are never so wise as when we live in this moment.

If the unexamined life was not worth living, was the unlived life worth examining?

When Breath Becomes Air recounts the life of Dr. Paul Kalanithi, a neurosurgeon diagnosed with lung cancer during his last year of residency.

PAUL KALANITHI was a neurosurgeon and writer. He held degrees in English literature, human biology, and history and philosophy of science and medicine from Stanford and Cambridge universities before graduating from Yale School of Medicine. He also received the American Academy of Neurological Surgery’s highest award for research. His reflections on doctoring and illness have been published in the New York Times, the Washington Post and the Paris Review Daily and in his New York Times number one bestselling book, When Breath Becomes Air. 

Kalanithi died in March 2015, aged 37. He is survived by his wife, Lucy, and their daughter, Elizabeth Acadia.

The ‘Golden Mean’: Aristotle’s Guide to Living Excellently

 

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The ‘Golden Mean’: Aristotle’s Guide to Living Excellently

 

The golden mean is the desirable middle ground between two extremes, guiding virtue, moderation, and balanced living.

Definition and Core Concept

The golden mean, also known as the "middle way," is a philosophical principle that emphasizes moderation between excess and deficiency. Aristotle, in his Nicomachean Ethics, described it as the path to moral virtue, where each virtue lies between two vices: one of excess and one of deficiency. For example, courage is the mean between recklessness (excess) and cowardice (deficiency), while generosity lies between prodigality and stinginess. The golden mean is not a fixed midpoint but is relative to the individual and context, requiring practical wisdom to discern the appropriate balance in each situation. 

Wikipedia

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Historical Origins

The idea predates Aristotle, appearing in Greek culture through sayings like "Nothing in excess" at Delphi and the myth of Daedalus and Icarus, where Icarus failed to follow the middle course and suffered the consequences. Socrates and Plato also emphasized moderation, linking proportion and balance to beauty, goodness, and harmony in both personal conduct and governance. Aristotle formalized the concept in virtue ethics, highlighting that moral excellence arises from habitually choosing the mean relative to oneself and circumstances. 

Wikipedia

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Cross-Cultural Perspectives

The golden mean appears in various philosophical traditions. In Buddhism, the Middle Way avoids extremes of self-indulgence and asceticism, leading to enlightenment. Confucianism’s Doctrine of the Mean (Zhongyong) emphasizes balance, sincerity, and harmony in personal and social conduct. Jewish scholars like Maimonides also advocated moderation as a path to spiritual and physical well-being. These parallels show the universal appeal of moderation as a guiding principle for ethical and practical life. 

Britannica

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Practical Applications

Applying the golden mean involves self-awareness, reflection, and practice. Aristotle advised that virtues are developed through repeated actions and conscious choices, adjusting behavior to avoid extremes while responding appropriately to each situation. Examples include temperance in eating, courage in facing danger, and generosity in giving. The principle extends beyond ethics to art, architecture, and aesthetics, where proportion and balance create harmony and beauty. 

Philosophy Break

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Key Takeaways

The golden mean promotes balance, moderation, and virtue.

It is context-dependent, requiring practical wisdom to apply effectively.

It has influenced Western and Eastern philosophy, religion, and cultural practices.

Practicing the golden mean fosters personal growth, ethical behavior, and harmonious living. 

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By striving for the golden mean, individuals cultivate a life of reasoned action, moral excellence, and well-being, avoiding the pitfalls of both excess and deficiency.

9 Sources

Aloka the Peace Dog: Stray Who Walked 2,300 Miles With Buddhist Monks

 Aloka, the Indian street dog, became a symbol of peace and compassion when he walked alongside Buddhist monks on a 2,300-mile "Walk for Peace" across the United States. His journey began as a stray on urban streets, where he found a new purpose by following a group of monks on their peace pilgrimage. Aloka's unwavering determination and resilience have made him a beloved figure, with over 800,000 followers on social media. Despite facing hardships, including a leg injury, Aloka has continued to support the monks, often accompanying them on foot or in a support vehicle. His story is a testament to the power of companionship and the impact of a single dog on a global movement for peace. 

Aloka (dog) - Wikipedia

 

 

Aloka the Peace Dog: Stray Who Walked 2,300 Miles With Buddhist Monks

 Jan 20, 2026  #Aloka #BuddhistMonks #WalkForPeace

Aloka, a stray dog from India, is walking 2,300 miles across 

America with 19 Buddhist monks on their Walk for Peace. 

When she was hit by a car and needed surgery, she refused to stay 

behind—jumping from their support truck multiple times to 

rejoin the monks. This is her incredible story of loyalty, 

sacrifice, and what it means to never give up on family.

🐕 THE STORY OF ALOKA:

Found as a stray on the streets of Kolkata, India, Aloka 

followed Buddhist monks for over 1,000 kilometers. When they 

returned to the United States, they raised $14,000 to bring 

her to Texas. Now she's walking 2,300 miles from Fort Worth 

to Washington DC, teaching America about loyalty in a divided 

time.

https://youtu.be/CAW2MoFhaGs

 

Aloka is believed to be a Pariah dog of Indian origin, once a stray. In 2022, during a peace pilgrimage across India, a group of Vietnamese American Buddhist monks noticed a dog that kept following them. Despite being injured (including being struck by a car) and becoming seriously ill, the dog repeatedly rejoined the monks as they continued their walk.

Eventually, the Monks adopted him and named him Aloka, a word rooted in Pali and Sanskrit meaning light or illumination. 

With a distinctive heart-shaped marking on his forehead, it’s hard not to feel that Aloka was meant to walk this path. One could call it his purpose.

There is something deeply grounding in watching a dog walk for peace. Aloka doesn’t argue ideology. He doesn’t persuade. He doesn’t explain. What he offers instead is unconditional love, presence, and a much-needed reminder of what dogs have always known: that peace isn’t something you declare; it’s something you embody.

In a world that often rewards speed, noise, and certainty, Aloka walks slowly, attentively, and without demand — and in doing so, invites us to do the same.

“May light walk before me, and peace walk beside me.”

(Aloka means light — illumination — and with every mindful step, that light is something we can choose to carry forward.)

H. L. Mencken

 

The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary. 

- H. L. Mencken 

Anne Frank

 

 

A wealth of information creates a poverty of attention

What information consumes is rather obvious: it consumes the attention of its recipients. Hence a wealth of information creates a poverty of attention and a need to allocate that attention efficiently among the overabundance of information sources that might consume it.

- Herbert Simon 

Mindset

 

Fully Occupy Your Waking Moments with positive thoughts and constructive activities.

Klaus Schwab

  

Our societies face a decline of truth and trust. Without truth, we lose a shared reality; without trust, we lose our capacity to act together.

(3) Klaus Schwab (@ProfKlausSchwab) / X

— Klaus Schwab (@ProfKlausSchwab) January 17, 2026

Daniel Pink: 21 Life-Changing Books Summarized in 18 Minutes

 

Daniel Pink

21 Life-Changing Books Summarized in 18 Minutes

https://youtu.be/lyLEBnUTqJI?si=fBWQgV9v-1tcoJyI

21 of my favorite books. These books have completely changed the way I think about my life and my work:

Grit by Angela Duckworth

Thinking in Bets by Annie Duke

Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

The War of Art by Steven Pressfield

The Stoic Challenge by William Irvine

The Sports Gene by David Epstein

Biased by Jennifer Eberhardt

Give and Take by Adam Grant

The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker

Unfair by Adam Benforado

Influence by Robert Cialdini

Rule Makers, Rule Breakers by Michele Gelfand

The Genetic Lottery by Kathryn Paige Harden

The Righteous Mind by Jonathan Haidt

Uncivil Agreement by Lilliana Mason

Mindset by Carol Dweck

Scarcity by by Sendhil Mullainathan and Eldar Shafir

Bird by Bird by Anne Lamont

Nonzero by Robert Wright

Moneyball by Michael Lewis

Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl

To receive more insights, ideas, and more from me... Check out my newsletter!

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To find out more about Daniel Pink, his books, and view his resources, visit https://danpink.com

 

Decade Déjà Vu: Are the 2020s the New 1920s?

Decade Déjà Vu: Are the 2020s the New 1920s?  

Decade Déjà Vu: Are the 2020s the New 1920s?

Technological revolutions, a reset in supply chains and soaring stock markets, these are not just characteristics of today's economy. In the 1920s, electrification, the automobile and assembly lines changed the economic landscape.   

What parallels exist between this decade and the 1920s and what could we learn from them for the future of the global economy?

World Economic Forum

https://www.youtube.com/live/Vi6Apqyuk1s?si=4K2_8Q93eJvV6LLq

License

Creative Commons Attribution license (reuse allowed)

Saoirse Ronan and Jimmy Sing "Fairytale of New York"

Saoirse Ronan and Jimmy Sing "Fairytale of New York"

https://youtu.be/eeOVR09ohSU?si=etOMcIW0rwLl6s-x

Fairytale of New York (feat. Kirsty MacColl) [Edit]

Song by

The Pogues

It was Christmas Eve, babe

In the drunk tank

An old man said to me, "Won't see another one"

And then he sang a song

The Rare Old Mountain Dew

I turned my face away

And dreamed about you

Got on a lucky one

Came in eighteen-to-one

I've got a feeling

This year's for me and you

So happy Christmas

I love you, baby

I can see a better time

When all our dreams come true

They've got cars big as bars, they've got rivers of gold

But the wind goes right through you

It's no place for the old

When you first took my hand on a cold Christmas Eve

You promised me Broadway was waiting for me

You were handsome

You were pretty, queen of New York City

When the band finished playing, they howled out for more

Sinatra was swinging, all the drunks, they were singing

We kissed on a corner, then danced through the night

The boys of the NYPD choir were singing "Galway Bay"

And the bells were ringing out for Christmas Day

You're a bum, you're a punk

You're an old slut on junk

Lying there almost dead on a drip in that bed

You scumbag, you maggot

You're cheap and you're haggard

Happy Christmas your arse

I pray God it's our last

The boys of the NYPD choir, still singing "Galway Bay"

And the bells are ringing out for Christmas Day

I could have been someone

Well, so could anyone

You took my dreams from me when I first found you

I kept them with me, babe

I put them with my own

Can't make it alone

I've built my dreams around you

The boys of the NYPD choir, still singing "Galway Bay"

And the bells are ringing out for Christmas Day

NICK CAVE - Leonard Cohen's Suzanne

NICK CAVE - Leonard Cohen's Suzanne

https://youtu.be/NwIZdh6MqIo?si=T3EQCy3lTpCV1zHZ

Nick Cave in Leonard Cohen's song Suzanne

Suzanne takes you down to her place newer the river

You can hear the boats go by

You can spend the night beside her

And you know that shes half crazy

But thats why you want to be there

And she feeds you tea and oranges

That come all the way from china

And just when you mean to tell her

That you have no love to give her

Then she gets you on her wavelength

And she lets the river answer

That youve always been her lover

And you want to travel with her

And you want to travel blind

And you know that she will trust you

For youve touched her perfect body with your mind.

And jesus was a sailor

When he walked upon the water

And he spent a long time watching

From his lonely wooden tower

And when he knew for certain

Only drowning men could see him

He said all men will be sailors then

Until the sea shall free them

But he himself was broken

Long before the sky would open

Forsaken, almost human

He sank beneath your wisdom like a stone

And you want to travel with him

And you want to travel blind

And you think maybe youll trust him

For hes touched your perfect body with his mind.

Now suzanne takes you hand

And she leads you to the river

She is wearing rags and feathers

From salvation army counters

And the sun pours down like honey

On our lady of the harbour

And she shows you where to look

Among the garbage and the flowers

There are heroes in the seaweed

There are children in the morning

They are leaning out for love

And they will lean that way forever

While suzanne holds the mirror

And you want to travel with her

And you want to travel blind

And you know that she will trust you

For shes touched your perfect body with her mind.

The Train of Life

The Train of Life

At birth we boarded the train

and met our parents, and we

believe they will always travel

on our side.

However, at some station

our parents will step down from

the train, leaving us on this

journey alone.

As time goes by,

other people will board the train;

and they will be significant

our siblings, friends, children,

and even the love of your life.

Many will step down

and leave a permanent vacuum.

Others will go so unnoticed

that we don't realize

they vacated their seats.

This train ride will be full of joy,

sorrow, fantasy, expectations,

hellos, goodbyes, and farewells.

Success consists of having a

good relationship with all

passengers requiring that we

give the best of ourselves.

The mystery to everyone is:

We do not know at which station

we ourselves will step down.

So, we must live in the best way,

love, forgive, and offer the best

of who we are.

It is important to do

this because when the time

comes for us to step down

and leave our seat empty

we should leave behind beautiful

memories for those who will

continue to travel on the train of life.

I wish you a joyful journey on the

train of life.

Reap success and give lots of love.

More importantly, thank God for the

journey.

Lastly, I thank you for being one of

the passengers on my train.

A very meaningful share from a friend. It stirred my soul, the author James S. Tippett. (1885-1958) His poem is an "analogy of a train ride to symbolize both, the idea of death being the final leg of our travels."  Its a brilliant analogy. © Oct '21    love • sad • spiritual • hope • death • soulful "Train of Life" by James Tippett is a poignant poem that uses the metaphor of a train journey to reflect on the transient nature of life and relationships.

Summary of the Poem

In "The Train of Life," Tippett eloquently illustrates life as a train ride, where individuals board and disembark at various stations. The poem begins with the idea that at birth, we board the train and are accompanied by our parents, who we assume will always be there. However, as time progresses, they, along with others, will step down from the train, leaving us to continue our journey alone. This metaphor captures the essence of life's comings and goings, emphasizing that relationships are both significant and fleeting.

Themes and Messages

Transience of Life: The poem highlights how people come and go throughout our lives, and it encourages readers to cherish every moment and relationship. Tippett suggests that we should treat everyone with respect and kindness, as we never know when someone will leave our lives.

Legacy and Memories: Tippett emphasizes the importance of leaving behind beautiful memories for those who continue on the train of life. The poem serves as a reminder to live fully, love deeply, and forgive generously, ensuring that our impact on others is positive and lasting.

Reflection on Relationships: The train metaphor illustrates the various relationships we form throughout our lives, from family to friends and loved ones. Some passengers will have a profound impact, while others may leave without notice, creating a vacuum in our lives.

Occasions for Use

"The Train of Life" is often used in contexts such as funerals, memorials, and celebrations of life, as it provides comfort and a relatable perspective on loss and remembrance. It resonates particularly well with railway enthusiasts, making it a heartfelt tribute for those who appreciate the metaphor of a journey.

In conclusion, James Tippett's "The Train of Life" is a timeless reflection on the human experience, encouraging us to value our relationships and live with love and forgiveness. It serves as a poignant reminder of the journey we all share and the importance of making meaningful connections along the way. 

The Pogues live 1986

The Pogues live 1986

https://youtu.be/BBCnBciNBqo?si=IaS1D5nn_68nd_QC

THE POGUES: Danny Boy (The John Peel Show) (December 1984) (Live)

THE POGUES: Danny Boy (The John Peel Show) (December 1984) (Live)

Provided to YouTube by Rhino

Danny Boy (The John Peel Show) (December 1984) (Live) · The Pogues

The BBC Sessions 1984 -1986

The Pogues

The BBC Sessions 1984 -1986 (Live)

https://youtu.be/9JGuEs3Xq1A?si=ZKyYXR2ZiZj2QZXz

BRUCE LEE STAY CENTERED

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