March 2, 2024
An exploration of old philosophy, new beginnings, and timeless music
Greetings!
Thank you, as always, for taking a few moments to explore another dose of reading, writing, and randomness. Allow this quote to set the tone:
Quote of the Week:
“Don’t die without embracing the daring adventure your life was meant to be.”
Steve Pavlina
An Ancient Reading with Modern Insights:
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius. If you’ve spent any time delving into the increasingly popular concept of mindfulness, odds are you’ve encountered Stoicism, one of the few Western sources of contemplative tradition. Stoicism hails from the Golden Age of Greek philosophy, but as is too often the case with great ideas of the past, most of the original texts were lost to the sands of time.
Fortunately, the Stoic insights of Marcus Aurelius, a 2nd century Roman Emperor, have survived to modern day. These writings — actually Aurelius’ private journal entries — were never meant for publication, so there is some debate about whether he portrays the true spirit of the original Stoic teachings or represents some evolved hybrid of Roman and Greek thought. What is indisputable, though, is how relevant Aurelius’ observations and advice remain to this day. From political strife to friendly ambivalence to self-acceptance, Aurelius’ introspections provide a wealth of wisdom that applies as much to our lives as his own.
A Writing I’m a Little Behind On:
“A Shifting Wind.” Despite releasing my fifth book almost two years ago, I’m still tinkering with the prologue. I admit it’s a bit unorthodox, but since its release, I couldn’t shake the idea that there was a better way to start the whole saga — more action, more intrigue, more essential background info. Whether you’ve read Unburnt or not, I’d love to hear your feedback on this potential new beginning. Does it grab your interest? Is it too fast or too slow? Too long or too short? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated — maybe I’ll even add this updated intro before the two-year anniversary!
Random Interactive Music Tools:
“Chrome Music Labs.” Say goodbye to the next four hours of your life. This assortment of activities allows curious folks of all ages to explore sound and rhythms in inventive and captivating ways. Even if you were the kind of kid who could never get a pleasant sound out of an instrument (guilty), you’ll feel like a regular virtuoso after a few minutes. Song Maker and Spectrogram are fun, but Kandinsky has to be my favorite.
And that's it! Did you like what you saw? Please share Lau’s Little List with anyone who you think would enjoy an extra dose of reading, writing, and randomness in their lives!
I would greatly appreciate any feedback you'd like to provide. Which recommendation was your favorite? What would you like to see more or less of in the next installment? Do you have any other suggestions? Feel free to leave a comment below with your thoughts.
May you explore newer depths and greater heights this week!
M. J. Lau
PS: Surprise!