“Freedom is what you do with what’s been done to you.” -Jean Paul Sartre The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde proffers a prescient warning about the evils of human nature. In it, the protagonist, Dorian, sits for his portrait painted by the talented Basil Hallward. The young man is admired for his unblemished physical … More Black, White, and Dorian Gray
Beginning with books…it was a powerful few weeks. Primo Levi’s The Drowned and the Saved topped my list as it chronicled experiences in the Auschwitz Concentration Camp and the subsequent psychology of World War Two survivors. Also significant, and saturated with humor, is Eddie Huang’s Fresh off the Boat. It’s a tongue in cheek memoir of his early … More Get Lit with Kit – Best of September 2018
“Why do you not commit suicide?” – Viktor Frankl How can one escape the depths of despair and not rejoice? In exploring the horrors of Auschwitz in his book The Drowned and the Saved, Primo Levi ruminates, “I might be alive in the place of another, at the expense of another; I might have usurped, … More Release Me: How Past Pain Subdues Man
“Chinese people don’t believe in psychologists. We just drink more tea when things go bad.” – Eddie Huang Eddie Huang has created a modern masterpiece with his memoir Fresh off the Boat (also a TV show!). The deviant cum lawyer cum chef cum TV producer epitomizes the quintessence of Asian wisdom as he chronicles the … More Chasing the Dragon (and dinner)
I read Second Nature: A Gardener’s Education by Michael Pollan (name pun!!). It fascinated and inspired me to comment in my blog. Check out my piece Earthly Entitlements, then delve into Pollan’s work. I also enjoyed The Collected Stories by Alexandr Pushkin. There’s something about those Russians…It was a good way to cool down during this hot summer. 😉 A final … More Get Lit with Kit – Best of August 2018
“The reward of a thing well done, is to have done it.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson In his book Second Nature: A Gardener’s Education, Michael Pollan explores the dichotomy between natural growth and deliberate cultivation. He recounts his gardening experiences, beginning in childhood, and explores ethical questions that arise from altering nature for the sake … More Earthly Entitlements
I’ve been hearing about the benefits of transcendental meditation for years. This month I finally read Jack Forem’s book on the subject. I fully intend to explore further. Will keep you posted. (Along similar lines, this article on focus and attention can help you find the sweet spot and get things done in flow. It’s long, presumably to … More Get Lit with Kit – best of July 2018
“There is no such thing as bravery; only degrees of fear.” – John Wainwright In her work Man Crazy, Joyce Carol Oates depicts the stunning journey of Ingrid, the prodigal daughter, as she conquers the harrowing journey from death to rebirth. Internalizing all that is violent and self loathing in her youth, Ingrid understands the … More A Version of Myself
I’d like to offer a comic video from Steve Simeone. He jokes about sibling rivalry and I’m going to loosely connect it with Paul Kalinithi’s book When Breath Becomes Air, which explores the meaning of life through his experience as a neurosurgeon who develops lung cancer at the age of 36. Here’s a link to Kalinithi’s NYT … More Get Lit with Kit #24
“Love me tender, Love me true, All my dreams fulfilled.” – Elvis Presley Man is a singular creature. In the construct of his mind he can forge versions of reality that do not correlate with objective experience. He finds ways to interpret, rationalize, justify. He reads factual events with imposed nuance and meaning. It’s tragic. … More Love Me Tender: Forsaking the Self for Love
Find the balance. 