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Coincidence? by Misha Lyuve

Jun 24, 2012

Do you think it is a coincidence that you are now reading about coincidences? Or is there more to this? Fate? Divine guidance?

Some say there is no coincidence as if they know some mystery that the others don’t. I used to say it myself, but lately I want to ask back – what do you mean? If there is no coincidence, what is?

And I still wonder: Is it a coincidence that I am married to someone with the same name as mine? That I am working in a company with the name that contains my dad’s and my brother’s first names? Is it a coincidence that sometimes I say X and X happens, or I think Y and someone speaks Y?

And on the other hand: The point where two streams meet forming a river is guided by laws of physics and its position can be estimated by scientists. Similarly when we watch sun setting or observing oil rising to the surface of water, we don’t question coincidentality or fate of these phenomena.

It seems that the guiding principles of life might work in the same manner. They might be less scientific but nevertheless they could point into a direction of the outcome.

Contraction pulls at that

which extends too far

Weakness pulls at that

which strengthens too much

Ruin pulls at that

which raises too high

Loss pulls at life

when you fill it with too much stuff

(from Lao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching, Verse 36,
translated by Jonathan Star)

 

So is there coincidence? After careful consideration and prolonged thinking about the subject, I came to a very clear unambiguous answer:

I don’t know.

And probably neither do you. The great thing about not knowing, it can start a whole new journey of exploration. What do you say?

Preparing my Funeral by Misha Lyuve

Jun 9, 2012

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So a few weeks ago I started with this cold. Every day I was hoping that next morning I would feel better, but within a week’s time, it just got worse. And then I’ve been in and out of it. I tried juicing and antibiotics, chicken soup and acupuncture, vitamins and working from home, hot baths and restful weekends. The bug didn’t seem to be leaving. And I thought, maybe, just maybe, it’s my time to go. Ok people, I am not trying to be dramatic here or anything. But the bug was not going away and, I don’t know about you, I have thoughts in my head all the time.   

Also I recently wrote a song that has the following verse: 

But I am not afraid to die
You can take me if you like
All my bags are packed and light
I am ready for the ride 
  

As for any compulsive planner, I don’t think it was that unreasonable for me to start planning my own funeral. So here is the list of rules I came up with:
- please no drama; light crying/sobbing is alright
- dress code: bright and festive; comfortable for dancing and jumping around
- funny memories and jokes are ok 

Then I started to think about logistics. Nowadays one needs to consider environmental impact of his death (in fact, I found an article “8 ecologically friendly alternative to burial “). Then there are inheritance implications. And don’t forget social media unwinding strategy (you gotta read Bury me on Facebook.) The logistics gave me so much headache that I decided that I’m just not ready yet to deal with it, and I might as well keep living.   

By the way, this is how my song ends and I am yet to sing it live:   

And I am not afraid to die
But I don’t think it’s yet my time
So let me play and sing and rhyme
And be afraid and be alive. 
  

Thanks for reading.

A microcosm by Misha Lyuve
topics: , ,

Jun 6, 2012

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I love NYC subway because it represents a microcosm of humanity – all you need to do is pay attention.

Where else can you feel one with the people as much as in a crowded subway car where you find yourself in a tight embrace with your fellow humans? Your proximity to flesh of those you don’t know might beat that of what you maintain with your best friends and maybe even your lovers.

This is the place where we give up our standards of private space, are pushed and stepped on, but remain more tolerant than in other life situations; like with the lady that fits only in two seats or a little guy who jumps on your back to squeeze right between you and the closing doors just as you thought that you were the only one who could fit there.

Don’t you ever wonder who these people are? Where are they rushing? What fuels them? Who loves them? How come, so different, they ended up in this tight space? Is that a coincidence or fate?

It is so easy not to care. It is so trivial not to notice them or pretend not to notice them. It is so predictable to stay on the train checked out and stuck with sporadic thoughts in one’s head. But if we pay attention… If we try to get through and see these people behind their fashionable sunglasses, loud headphones, busy makeup, eyes glued to their reading material – I am telling you people, this is it; this is us; this is the world; this is humanity. 

I feel that those who drive to work might be missing out; though I am sure they can find their own treasures on the way.

Commute offers spectacular opportunities for extraordinary living. What do you say?

Life is not by Misha Lyuve

Jun 1, 2012

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Life is not a to do list. Obviously