a moment w/ Tao Te Ching

24 (61): Translation by Victor H. Mair & based on the recently discovered Ma-Wang-Tui Manuscripts

A large state is like a slow-moving estuary,
     the female of all under heaven.
In the congress of all under heaven,
     the female always conquers the male through her stillness.
Because she is still,
     it is fitting for her to lie low.
By lying beneath a small state
     a large state can take over a small state.
By lying beneath a large state,
     a small state can be taken over by a large state.

Therefore,
     One may either take or be taken over by lying low.
Therefore,
     The large state wishes only to annex & nurture others;
     The small state wants only to join with & serve others.

Now,
     Since both get what they want,
     It is fitting for the large state to lie low.


--- I'm not entirely happy with the wording, but it fits my view of corporations and similar businesses.

Dietary Recommendations

http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/guide/plant-based-diet-for-heart-health

A dietary breakdown by WebMD... clear, concise, & core research backing essay.  As a detailed review & comparison of common plant based diets, it served to remind this guy that a diet varies from day to day...

And I have always needed to increase veggies and decrease red meat.  Thanks for the reasoning, WebMD.

My only note... pushing soy products as replacements for dairy.  Bleh.  Stick to almonds and clarified butter (ghee).

Two diets not mentioned... (this was a review of plant-based diet) 

The Paleolithic Diet  &  The Ketogenic Diet

Both tend towards a high meat content.  Paleo eliminates refined foods, whereas Keto severely restricts carbs.  Both have proven to be extraordinarily beneficial to many many many people, including yours truly & friends @ r/keto & r/paleo.

Any diet can be made convenient with the correct behavioral or habitual adjustments.  Keep at it.

American Indian Healing Arts: The Little People

"The Little People can be found throughout American Indian folklore.  They are mysterious changelings who can appear as salmon, fireflies, mosquitoes, or medicine plants.  They are shape-shifters, emerging as wood dwarfs peering out of a living tree, a face in stone, or a presence in the water or soil.
"The native Hawaiians have the Menehunes, who are magical stonemasons, always creating special things in their Pacific Island archipelago and then suddenly disappearing.  They lead healers to special medicine plants and reveal secrets of healing.
"Some say the Kokopelli, the prehistoric humpbacked flute player pictured in stone throughout the desert Southwest, was a little dancing storyteller.  S'he charmed the animals and plants for the First People to help them survive in earliest times.  Certainly Kokopelli, pictured everywhere now, is the ultimate survivor.
"And Cherokee children hear about the Thunderers, Yunwi Tsunsdi, who have been dancing and drumming in the Great Smoky Mountains for thousands of years.  They control the mushrooms and medicine plants, and manage the game animals -- and some say they manage the people, too.  The Thunderers bring knowledge of healing to chosen people in their dreams.

I  am looking forward to traveling.  In the foreseeable future;

Perhaps even as soon as next year.

Preferably with a partner, but I've done it alone.

There are always opportunities to find inspiration in people.

Strangers, friends, dangers, just be careful who you choose;

Some folks be flippin crazy.