All I remember of a dream a few nights ago is my focus on the one dead light bulb somewhere in the middle of many bright bulbs. It’s amazing how many interpretations one might be able to infer from this focus. Nevertheless, the dream bothered me.

One can analyze my life now and point out the many dim lights I have ignored, albeit with the intention of addressing them at some point. I like to believe that there are ethics in one’s personal life as in one’s work, and reputations in either are sometimes stuck by their constant reinforcement. I hope readers can understand that I don’t imply any judgment. I’m sure we all have our character flaws and strengths.

For example, I feel I owe Isonomist more thoughtful responses. Fail to fulfill enough implied or explicit promises and I’m apt to develop a reputation that can have tangibly negative consequences, which, for purposes of this analogy, I’d perceive as darkness. As much as reading thoughtful views can equate receiving a gift, a light, so to speak, I feel obligated to give back – hence, the debt is real to me. In my personal life as in my business, failure to pay enough debts ... well, I’m sure everyone has an opinion. One can make the case that Isonomist is one of a relative few people who shine among a majority of burnt-out writers on this fray; so, that cannot be an interpretation of the dream.

Isn’t life wonderful!

I expect one cannot copyright ‘love, live, and eat’, as it is and seems will ever be a most basic truth in a wonderful human existence, blotted by the ever present shadow of hate, death, and starvation. A former boss who has become a friend told me a few days ago that I’m a sap for respecting a sense of obligation towards someone who has betrayed me. One can argue that self-interest compels me and leave it at that, and the question of how much does it take before the shadows of discontent overcome the majority of people around me isn’t one I’d like to answer with experience. Perhaps I read it somewhere; but, I do believe that hate consumes the hater.

Nevertheless, I clearly remember it was one dead light bulb among countless brightly lit globes in my dream. My lover and friend suggested that I might be focusing on one problem, failing to appreciate the many good things working in my life. There are many things I love about her.

However, I think I will always be bothered by that dead light-bulb until I replace it. It might take me five minutes, an hour, day, week, month, year, or never – it all depends on the importance of having it fixed, which I believe means the dead bulb will continue to dim the overall light emitted no matter how insignificantly its relative darkness influences everything around it to wither.

owe me anything. We share a bit of insight about loss, and how love functions for good and bad within us. I understand. As for your meaning, for which our interaction is just an example, I'll have to say your lover and friend came closest. You're the type of perfectionist who would at least be tempted to wade into a swamp to wipe a mote of dust off a lotus flower. Which is sort of an analogy for my meditation process, now that I think about it.

... 'giri' what the Japanese describe as the "burden hardest to bear".

It can be understood as the burden of obligation.

So in that sense, I am wondering if you feel a responsibility to 'the light' in general, as opposed to the lightbulb in particular?

Do you feel an obligation to hold back the darkness Ghassan?

I think you do, and I think you feel an obligation toward those whom you suspect hold the same values as you.

Never fear anything...except the use of garlic.

I may possibly ruin your lovelife with your new friend and lover.

know if I see myself as a perfectionist.

I don't know why I felt compelled to respond to your thoughtful view of violence. I had a lot to absorb and little to counter, either in terms of additional observation or comment.

And you are quite perceptive. Without going into much detail, I do feel that sense of responsibility. Holding back darkness is probably the best way I can describe it on this forum.

I am afraid, very afraid, of the garlic effect. Deep down, I know I'm doomed; for, what have I not sacrificed for the love of garlic!

Idealist maybe? That doesn't cut it either, but it seems sometimes that you suffered for your dream of what your life would be. You have a more artisanal approach than "perfectionism" would imply.

Ghassan:

It is good to have you back as I always looked forward to something of yours to read.

What ever became of Toussant?

I would think, would be derived through a wholisticly experienced intuition and broadly regimented cognition that includes science, philosophy/religion, and art, broadly speaking. I'm developing mine along the lines of answering the question of 'how can I achieve the most good for most people', broadly speaking. Yes, it's quite idealistic, and maybe that's the point. Suffering, apparently, is just par for the course we live. That's why God gave us tears.

Thank you.

To my knowledge, I have not interacted with Toussant outside of this forum.

Ghassan:

I was curious. I always remember those who were interesting in a fashion and distinquish themselves beyond others.