It’s November 16, 2023, and I feel good. I don’t have to talk myself into this mood. I woke up with my positivity dial turned way up. Somedays are like that. For no apparent reason, you just feel like you’re on top of the world. This is one of those rare days. Maybe, it’s because today is Beaujolais Nouveau Day (new red wine), Great American Smokeout, Have a Party With Your Bear Day, International Day for Tolerance (probably too ‘woke’ for Florida), International Guinness World Records Day, National Fast Food Day, Social Enterprise Day, Use Less Stuff Day, and World Philosophy Day. Now the history of this day. On this day in 534 the Justinian Code was published. The Code established a single set of laws for the Byzantine Empire. If you search on it, it’s interesting. On this day in 1532 Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro captures the Inca Emperor Atahualpa. Pizarro held the Atahualpa for ransom which was 1 room from of gold and 2 rooms filled with silver (22 x 17 x 7). The Incas complied and then Pizarro killed Atahualpa anyway. On this day in 1824 New York City’s Fifth Avenue opened for business. On this day in 1894 6,000 Armenians were massacred by Turks in Kurdistan. On this day in 1960 U.S. marshals escort four 6-year-old African American girls to an all-white public school in New Orleans in response to death threats against the girls and race riots. Since today is World Philosophy Day, I’ll look to Eastern philosophers for interesting life observations. Confucius said, “He who knows all the answers has not been asked all the questions.” Laozi said, “To become learned, each day add something. To become enlightened, each day drop something.” Omar Khayyam said, “Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life.” The Dalai Lama said, “This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples, no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness.” Confucius said, “In a country well governed, poverty is something to be ashamed of.” I hope they’ve given you something to think about. That’s why I post them. Have a good day. Abide.
