All posts by jph
October 31 comes – beware pricking of thy thumbs
October 31 comes with parties … candy treats … a long and varied history … remembering …
Continue reading October 31 comes – beware pricking of thy thumbs
The meaningscape – synchronizing shared realities?
Meaningscape is a relatively new word – for the contours & connections that we sense and use to grasp our reality. It’s a layered ‘sandwich’ of signs & symbols, beacons & benchmarks, ways & waypoints, memories & meanings. [1]
Meaning is relational. Meaning is finding a shared way of reading and navigating the world, including socially & culturally.
There’s the context of the meaning OF life – some type of cosmic connection; but, more importantly, there’s finding meaning IN life – social connection which grounds our well-being.
The craving for connection is the need for meaning.
Continue reading The meaningscape – synchronizing shared realities?
Modern stoicism – beyond happy & meaningful, Part 3
I like the way Tim LeBon begins his article (cited below) – with an homage to how ancient Greek & Roman philosophers practiced stoicism. My legacy take typically is that of a “grin and bear it” type of equanimity (without despair). Not ruled by the passions (hello, Mr. Spock, live long & prosper). A well-lived life of fortitude amid life’s ups & downs, and perseverance through tough times without whining.
… in the words of Epictetus, “sick and yet happy, in peril and yet happy, dying and yet happy, in exile and happy, in disgrace and happy” … – Wiki
But LeBon casts authentic stoicism as more robust. Even Wiki notes that:
Continue reading Modern stoicism – beyond happy & meaningful, Part 3
Zen – beyond happy & meaningful, Part 2
So, well-being – beyond a feeling of happiness and a sense of meaning – is more than an end state. It’s something that remains dynamic, something contrary to complacency. It’s an ongoing state of engagement, of paying attention.
A key aspect of well-being is a perspective, a skillset which deals with the ongoing hard times in life without lapsing into despair. A balance.
This Big Think article addresses this ongoing dynamic, and why chasing happiness directly – as if seeking a magic fountain of joy – can be counterproductive.
Continue reading Zen – beyond happy & meaningful, Part 2
The Good Life – beyond happy & meaningful, Part 1
This article (cited below) poses an interesting question: Why do some people feel unfulfilled even when they have happy (“feeling good”) and meaningful (“doing good”) lives?
Continue reading The Good Life – beyond happy & meaningful, Part 1
Shadowscape – Episode 6
[Featured image: welcome mat in a trash can]
[Draft 8-23-2025 … 9-2-2025]
THE SHADOWSCAPE
Copyright © 2025 John P. Healy
(e)scape for free from reality
What’s it all about
When you sort it out, Alfie
Are we meant to take more than we give
Or are we meant to be kind?
– from the 1966 song ‘Alfie’ by Burt Bacharach & Hal David
“Compulsory unification of opinion achieves only the unanimity of the graveyard” – 319 US 624 – Supreme Court 1943
[Image: A wagon train with tag: Oregon or bust]
Introducing Tarry World [1]
Episode 6
“welcome wagon no more” (curiosity is a luxury)
[Image: Rusted hulk of a courtesy van with faded “Welcome Wagon” on the sides]
Prologue
[Image: A stasis pod with a cracked cover]
[Scene: interior of terminal @ off-world spaceport] Revival
The first thing he heard … was some tapping on alumiglas. A masked face stared down at him, a muffled voice said, “Mr Smith? Ident ending in 0823?” He tried to speak, but coughed; then tried to nod ‘yes.’ But his head was cradled and did not move.
The voice said, “Stay calm, it will take a minute. Try again. Are you Mr Joe Smith, ident ending in 0823?”
With some urgency, he replied, this time loudly, “Yes, my name is Joe Smith, 0823!”
The voice replied, “Thanks, your pod will now open.” Smith heard a loud click, his ‘bed’ vibrated, and then the cover rose to the heavens, revealing a fully garbed humanoid figure.
“You may call me Alphie, Mr Smith. … Let me help you sit up. … Great. You may feel a bit lightheaded, but that will pass quickly.” Looking at a data pad, Alphie continued, “Your biosignals look okay, the meds will help stablize your mood for a while.”
Alphie stretched out a hand and asked, “Please shake my hand, firmly.” Smith did so. “Thanks, Mr Smith. As soon as you feel able, you may get up. Just follow the blue line to the shower area.”
Continue reading Shadowscape – Episode 6
Shadowscape Episode 5, Part 2
THE SHADOWSCAPE
Copyright © 2025 John P. Healy
(e)scape for free from reality
now the fast which be first
will find that does not last,
now the slow nearly last
will later become first,
for now turns into past,
songs of glory fade fast– Remembrances of Energy Lords
And Time, a maniac scattering dust,
And Life, a Fury slinging flame.
– “In Memoriam A. H. H.” Canto 50 by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Episode 5, Part 2
[Draft 7-26-2025, more notes 8-2-2025. Added scene on 8-5-2025, 8-9-2025.]
“more than anything …” (push past pleased)
Prologue
[Scene description]
[The series host “Rod” walks into the scene, faces the camera, and makes a brief monolog.]
“Witness …
[Dramatic montage with music fades in and spins out to black.]
Continue reading Shadowscape Episode 5, Part 2
The Shadowscape – Episode 5, Part 1
THE SHADOWSCAPE
Copyright © 2025 John P. Healy
(e)scape for free from reality
whether heaven or haven
will ever erase our blight,
our myths impel us even
further on a cosmic flight
– the gods need not take our sight …
Episode 5, Part 1
[Draft 7-20-2025, 7-21-2025, 7-22-2025 added notes, 7-24-2025 added sketches of scenes, 7-26-2025 more notes]
“more than anything …” (push past pleased)
Prologue
[Scene description]
THE SHADOWSCAPE – Episode 4
[draft 7-12-2025, more notes 7-15-2025]
THE SHADOWSCAPE
(e)scape for free from reality
when simplification equals clarity,
there always is something wiped away, erased.
some pieces near & dear or socially displaced,
whether existing far in time, other space.
hanging your hat there, linger long in that place,
will exact a price for putting doubt aside –
the ever deeper darkness you must abide– Remembrances of Energy Lords
Continue reading THE SHADOWSCAPE – Episode 4