This new day’s label reads 04.08.2021. What will happen in this 24 hour period of time? People will be born and people will die. There will be weddings and divorces made final. Life will march forward as I pursue happiness. Epictetus, the Greek philosopher said “There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things which are beyond the power of our will.” That’s my plan for this day. Today is Dog Farting Awareness Day. Not kidding. Dog fart day. It’s also Draw A Picture Of A Bird Day, National Empanada Day, Zoo Lover’s Day and Step Into The Spotlight Day. Not a lot of parties will be held in honor of any of those events. This is the day in 217 that Emperor Caracalla was assassinated. He was one of the most bloodthirsty tyrants in Roman history. In 1766 on this day the 1st fire escape was patented. It was a wicker basket on a pulley and chain. In 1879, milk was sold in glass bottles for the 1st time. This is the day in 1960 that the US Senate passed the Civil Rights Bill with measures against discriminatory voting practices. Finally, this is the day in 1986 that Clint Eastwood is elected Major of Carmel CA. Now we can look for the wisdom of people who have gone before us. Lorenzo de’ Medici who was diplomat, politician and patron of scholars, artists, and poets who stopped living in 1492. He said, “Youth is sweet and well, But doth speed away!, Let who will be gay, Tomorrow none can tell”. The phrasing is clumsy but the message is clear, enjoy life now because tomorrow may not come. I’ll end with a quote from Ron White who is still very much alive. Ron said, “I believe that if life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade… And try to find somebody whose life has given them vodka, and have a party.” Have an excellent day. Abide.
