As usual, for my friends who have trouble sleeping, or for those who just prefer their Bistro aurally, here is the link to the audio version of tonight’s post.
http://philosophybistro.tumblr.com/post/63675212054/as-usual-for-those-of-you-needing-a-sleeping-aid
Bear's Philosophy Bistro
Letters, Philosophy, Conversation, Food, and Wit (updated by each Thursday at some point)
It seems that at night, in the darkness, every thought seems so profound. If I am not fortunate enough to fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow, I find myself spending hours “thinking myself in circles”. That is something about myself that drives me absolutely crazy….I cannot just have a thought and be done with it, no, I must analyze every possible scenario, every possible outcome, and every possible “what if…” I come to some startling conclusions that, in the darkness, seem brilliant; then morning comes and I feel absolutely ridiculous at the utter nonsense which had seemed so logical only hours before. Why do you think this is? (Do others also do this or is it just me??) Maybe it relates back to our senses and in the dark, quiet night we aren’t overwhelmed with stimuli so there is a clearer focus on thoughts (as nonsensical as they may be).
So, this week I have had many such nights…. I was thinking about the consequences of commenting on a forum such as this. While I really want to “talk” with you, it is such an “open to the world, public format” and as soon as I submit a comment I feel such vulnerability. I re-read what I submitted and cringe…wondering if my thoughts are merely willy-nilly ramblings that will be ridiculed and should be kept to myself or are they valid enough to share? (Is this vulnerable feeling a momentary lapse of self confidence or just human nature?) It occurred to me that this is similar to that feeling of waking in the morning and realizing how absurd my nighttime conclusions really were. It appears that many of those who comment on your blog are personally close to you so, in your opinion, is it best that an outsider, such as myself, not attempt to infiltrate that sacred inner circle and just observe in silence. But then again, I suppose, really the whole point of a blog is to reach out to both friends and strangers alike? Maybe it’s more like a teacher/student relationship where questions, thoughts, and conversations are encouraged and welcomed? Oh good grief….there I go again, “thinking myself in circles”….
Hey, I thought you at the Bistro may enjoy this – I was just reading the Nov. 2013 Reader’s Digest and in the “Laughter, the Best Medicine” section it had a list of fictional clubs and possible responses when asked to join…. My two favorites: The Yoko Club? Oh no. & The German Philosophy Club? I Kant! And of course I must include a classic for your side kick of the class amphibia…. What do you call a frog that was parked illegally? Toad! (towed) (I know this reply has nothing whatsoever to do with your wonderful audio post..I just didn’t know where else to put it.)
I was thinking more about the questions/issues I wrote of here and now realize that speaking with honesty and passion do have risks but, like you said in your Oct. 28 post, “If living fully, if experimenting with life makes you look silly, then own it”. So, thank you for your advice. I will henceforth attempt to worry less about appearing silly and concentrate more on living fully. After all, what doesn’t kill us (supposedly) makes us stronger…..right?
Is it working now?
I’m sorry that it has taken so long for me to answer this; I don’t own a computer, and these last few weeks my access to one has been limited. For me, the advantage to having conversations in an imaginary bistro is that I can follow ideas to the end–either up into flights of fancy, or down the rabbit hole, without any fear (come to think of it, I have less reason to fear offending strangers than friends & relatives). In fact, I think we have reached the point where there are more readers whom I don’t know than there are readers whom I know.
It has been my experience that if we ignore all our ideas, the lively & bright ones will take their business elsewhere, but the dark and heavy ones will stay, so we must give them plenty of exercise and see where they lead us.
I think it’s important to keep track of those late-night insights. I do, however, generally try to write at night and edit in the morning, and some ideas aren’t as strong. But I take consolation in what my friends in the sciences tell me: that a failed hypothesis teaches us as much as a successful one, maybe more. So we do need to speak our ideas, and see where they take us; if we don’t listen to our own thoughts, who will?
Well, we will–the staff at the Bistro welcomes your ideas, flights of fancies, & speculations. It is an open floor, and we invite anyone to dance. We will be open, welcoming, and patient (well, except for Wode Toad–he is pretty critical).
Bear in mind our motto (www.philosophybistro.com/tag/motto/), however, and be gentle with each other.
But it does leave scars.