Since my last post, I travelled to Switzerland for Thanksgiving and I enjoyed Christmas with my family in Michigan. In the case of both holidays, I saw how good times are made. Enjoying good times take work and they involve effort. I have heard people joke about how 'ironic' it is that everyone gets so worked up over the holidays, which are supposed to represent a calmer time in comparison to the rest of the year filled with work obligations.
My Holiday thesis is that these 'good' times should take some effort. Family holidays are the culmination of thought, care, extra-flair, and some panache. I am not saying we should work so hard that we then enjoy Holiday Heart Syndrome. Maybe people simply enjoy the poking and I am reading into a joke too much. I like to build a tradition and spend some extra time on something during the holidays. Shared actions can be one of my favorite ways to build a familiar relationship.
I've met people who appear to have many things of which to be thankful. I assumed they were satisfied and that they were happy. Often, I eventually find out that there is something tearing away at them, just like everyone else. That is the nature of desire. Let holidays be a reprieve from that duḥkha. Good times are made, leave desire aside for a moment if you can.
My fourth semester of grad school is here. I am whipping together new things to keep myself busy. I received the good news that my Robosoft 2025 paper was accepted. Brett and I will be going to Lausanne in April. Many things to look forward to beyond.
Empty campus during break
Charles river before the snow
Murals at Baker Library of Dartmouth
My mom's dogs
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