I am sometimes in need of pencil and paper when I am at the gym, so I’ve resorted to using my mobile phone’s little notepad for my mental machinations, as such:
One problem is that I think conversation is not worthwhile if it doesn’t involve kvetching about something. Is that rational? Is it rational to think that that leads to happiness? Am I aiming for happiness? Am I allowed to experience contentment? What would happen then? Would the world come to a screeching halt? I’d say it comes to a halt the way things are right now! I don’t know about anyone else, but that seems to be the way I work. Or maybe I don’t understand the word contentment.

That took two note’s worth of memory.

How about this one, which may be inevitable at a gym:

There are pros and cons to being attracted to many people while remaining faithful to one. The con is obvious – it’s frustrating and creates an unraveling sense of yourself. The pro is less apparent – it is derived from the perspective making choices gives you. If you consider it for a moment, you will see how key it can be to a personal peace of mind. One cannot be monogamous and promiscuous simultaneously. You have to exercise choice to make the wiser decision. It’s not just a decision – it’s a long-term state of existence as you go along. That is the advantage of seeing the various angles of life. It’s nearly impossible to determine the wisdom of things right off – initially, you’re mostly swayed by emotion. It’s only as you live hour to hour, day to day, that you can accurately judge how it all pans out.

originally published on 11/15/09