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Month: May 2026

Anxiety.

Published on May 5, 2026

What is anxiety? It seems to be an irrational and disordered fretting over contingent events. In more severe degrees, this fretting seems to phase into a kind of irascible appetite for the imposition of the will on whoever – and whatever – might effectively mutate in the next moment to conform to one’s subjective preferences. The work involved in accomplishing this, and if habitualized, seems to lead to insanity, and certainly draws one away from the solid ground of rational inquiry and classical reasoning. The tragic part of this, is that all this “controlling the outcome” yields is little to nothing substantial, positively speaking, other than a fractured and destroyed mind that was once rational. Suffering abuse and trauma at a young age seems to strongly influence a poor soul into this rabbit hole of abstraction. What I speak of is certainly not a willful positioning, for a soul that positions itself is one that prepares for the future: and not one that controls, pretending to act as if it were some kind of divine arbiter. Platonic thinking seems to amplify and worsen this path by enticing the wounded soul to gravitate to a subjective idealization of what would be, or should be perfect, and then watching it leave chaos, destruction, darkness, and shattered relationships in its wake. How can a rational mind, designed for affirmation or negation of what is, and capable of positioning for the future, possibly be told that it can control the accidentals?

EAR

Nostalgia.

Published on May 4, 2026

What is nostalgia? It seems to be an irrational attachment to what has passed and already been written. Yet, there seems to be something deeper, perhaps even more sinister within the term upon a more scrutinizing investigation. Suppose we do contemplate the past in a place that was a key moment in our formation as a person. There does not seem to be anything particularly wrong with this mere acknowledgment of what was. This seems like a normal rational operation, especially when we are recounting what happened for the sake of reasoning, chronology, or storytelling. However, the moment our intellects abstractions phase from contemplating the question: “What was?”, to “What could have been?”, is when things go wrong.

We are now shifting from what historical actualitized, and perhaps even simply necessitated, to an impossible contingency that disrespects God’s providence, and the free willed acts of other souls also operating at that particular time, in that particular place, and with that particular soul, which possibly includes you. Not only is it disrespectful, but this seems to be a dangerous place for the intellect to go.

If a rational mind already struggles enough to understand and reason with contingencies based upon what is real now, how much more will it struggle, and even lose track of the ground it stands on, when trying comprehend, and track, an abstraction based on a potential passed event that never actually happened, and the contingencies that would, or would not have followed from it?

EAR

Dominican.

Published on May 3, 2026

What is a Dominican? It seems that the charism is of authenticity operating in two modes: viz. exteriorly, and interiorly. If it is of great importance that a Christian’s exterior actions – whether being liturgical, communal, or servile – be of the utmost sincerity of intention, solemnity of action, and purity of heart, then an icon of this can be found in the daily living out of the Dominican motto: Laetare, Praedicare, et Benedicere.

Likewise, if it is of great importance that a Christian cultivate an interior cell of being for the Lord to dwell within – viz. a hylomorphic harmony of one’s intellectual, spiritual, and corporal faculties oriented and guided by faith in Jesus Christ – then it seems to be fulfilled, and guarded, in embracing the four Dominican pillars: Oratio, Studium, Communitas, et Apostolatus.

So then, it seems to me that the soul that responds positively to the Dominican charism, will find itself being transformed into an authentic kind of Catholic, whom may better dispose itself for cooperation with the Lord’s grace for the hope of salvation in Jesus Christ.

For who can confess what one does not praise? Who can invite others to what one does not preach? Who can serve another to whom he does not bless?

Likewise, who can combat evil with a tongue that does not pray? Who can love the One whom he does not study? Who can hear His voice without a fraternity to transmit the message? And who can light up a dark world without an apostolic office by which to do so?

I think a Dominican can, and the question remains: “Lord, is this what you want me to be?”

EAR

Spheres.

Published on May 2, 2026

What is existential humility? This seems to be predicated upon the souls direction of orientation and attention within cosmos. If one’s direction of abstraction is so inductive to the point where the entire fabric of reality appears to end at the imposition of one’s will, and the mere earth upon which one stands, then yes, the disillusioned shallowness of this perception would blind one to a miserable life lived. However, if that very same soul’s orientation were to be outward, and deductively aware of not only other souls, but the nature gifted to it to appreciate the celestial spherical glory by which one is privileged to enjoy, and be inspired enough by it to begin to ask the fundamentally essential question of: “Why?”, and “Who is the cause of all this?”, then illumination, and indeed wisdom from that unmoved Mover would not be far behind that most reasonable line of questioning. Therefore, it seems necessary that in order for Man to better disposed to these wonders, then the soul must spend less time inductively imploding, and deductively reaching to heavens. Let us stop looking down at our phones, and look up more at the stars, the spheres they subsist in, and begin to contemplate our place in reality.

EAR

Perseverance.

Published on May 2, 2026

What is perseverance? It seems to be a certain metaphysical condition universally subsisting simultaneously in 3 necessary modes: acceptance of the past, endurance of the present, and preparation for the future.

To accept, seems to be predicated upon forgiveness. What has happened, cannot be changed, it is etched in time and written. Whether we wrote it, or were the ones who read and suffered it, forgiveness of ourselves, or of the other author seem to determine whether we are shaped by the past or defined by it.

To endure, seems to be predicated upon the will. Am I willing to continue to act in this moment? Or continue to be defined by some long gone event? The only way for the affections of my soul to be actualized, assuming they are not contrary to my nature, is by direct operation of my own free will. It is a choice to get up today. It is a choice to work. It is a choice to pray. It is a choice to serve. It is a choice to study. It is a choice to build. It is a choice to understand and communicate. Unwillingness of the above is when destruction and chaos enter in.

To prepare, seems to be the quiet act of respect to the contingent reality of what may or may not be. One who prepares does not control the outcome; rather, he positions himself for it. In positioning, one seems to bastion his soul for tomorrow’s acceptance of today, tomorrow’s endurance of then, and the preparation beyond.

Therefore, perseverance must be an accepting, enduring, and perpetually preparing mode of operation for the rational soul to proactively, not reactively fight against metaphysical despair, and existential crises.

EAR

Veritas.

Published on May 1, 2026

What is truth? Or rather, what is the effect of truth? It seems be the destruction and shattering of the illusion upon which one clings to for slothful security. We all seem to have an uncanny knack of convincing ourselves, through self imposed sophistry, that a lie can be justifiable if meets the end, that end being whatever it is that suits our fancy, or shallow desire of that moment. Am I satisfied with the rhetoric that is shared with me? Do I grant every assertion made without testing them? Do I ask for evidence, proof, or demonstration of what I am regurgitating or projecting to others?

Why do I not do these things? The answer seems to be corollary to comfort. I am comfortable now. To make waves is to make things inconvenient for me later. To shatter the idol would be to initiate, and demand, a greater scrutiny of myself to determine whether or not I actually live for the truth.

The truth is exorcistic. Why wouldn’t it be? God cannot contradict himself, and our reasoning can employed to investigate this. So let us speak with precision, investigate and challenge the status quo, overtly affirm the truth, and be intolerant of lies and sophistry.

EAR