Today is called January 3rd, 2022. On this day I’m going to follow the advice of The Dude, main character in the Big Lebowski, and just “Take it easy”. Since I’m an ordained priest in the Latter Day Church of the Dude it’s more than a mantra to me. Despite the tongue-in-cheek religious parody, Dudeism is rooted in Taoism and other Eastern philosophies and was my introduction to the original dude: Lao Tzu. Do yourself a kindness and look up and read his quotes. Today is the Festival of Sleep Day, Humiliation Day, Remember You Die Day, National Chocolate Covered Cheery Day, National Drinking Straw Day, National Write to Congress Day, and Women Rock! Day. Now some historical footnotes: On this day in 1431 Joan of Arc was handed over to Bishop Pierre Cauchon. She would be tried for heresy, blasphemy, and wearing men’s clothing and burned at the stake a few months later. This is the day in 1521 that Martin Luther was excommunicated. On this day in 1777 General Washington’s revolutionary army defeated British forces at the Battle of Princeton, NJ. On this day in 1861 the Delaware legislature rejected a proposal to join the Confederacy. This is the day in 1870 that the construction of the Brooklyn Bride began. It would not be completed until May 24, 1883. On this day in 1920 the Boston Red Sox club owner, Harry Frazee, announced he was selling Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees starting the 84-year “Curse of the Bambino”. On this day in 1938 the March of Dimes was established to fight polio. Since I started this post with a quote from the original Dude, I’ll end this post with a few more. Leo Tzu said, “He who is contented is rich.” “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” “The sage does not hoard. The more he helps others, the more he benefits himself. The more he gives to others, the more he gets himself.” Last one: “If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are headed.” Enough for the 3rd day of the year. As the Dude suggests: Abide.
