Rabbit Trails and Spiderwebs

Slothfulness – indifference  (Acedia) Seldom heard of, this is actually one of the 7 Deadly Sins.  Acedia is the term first brought about by a monk in 1670, it is often heard by the name of Sloth.  Current use of the term sloth would be understood as the animal that bears its name, or that is the slovenly and unmotivated person.  In the list of the 7 Deadly Sins they all seem to count as behaviors.  Wrath, Greed, Sloth, Pride, Lust, Envy, and Gluttony.  Lust and pride, of course are internal and their fulfillment is found in the actions they produce, but that can also be said of them all.  But to read them you simply pass over the word sloth and perhaps think “indolent” or unfocused on their task.  You would be mistaken. Acedia is a different form of malaise and is at times described as “depression”.  While there is a parallel track of common behaviors and symptoms their actual being and their root causes are different.  Acedia can be fo...

The gravel under my shoe The sound was distinct, and the meaning was clear.   The last step I had taken was onto gravel, and that resonant sound made things light up.   Rocks under foot when only one step away was the grass.   My eyes were focused but my gaze was up not down.   The steps were well practiced, and my senses were keen, attending to every differentiation that could be noticed.    Now it was gravel.   Not rocks like on a road, but small bits of stone that shifted slightly under foot.   Then the next step, right and left were there, and then one more… and the wall was coming next.   Focus, adjust, brace for the impact, adjust for the change in wind, reach, grasp. Nothing. The track around the diamond is there for all to see, and some to touch.   It is about the same distance in every field of play, but there are some closer than others.   It is an awakening.   An alert to the focused player ...