The Even Mind

Perhaps the hardest concept in the study of Buddhism to master is the concept of equanimity, or the "even mind." Essentially, the concept asks us to recognize that we as humans are not unique...that in the end, we will all end up in the same place, that we all suffer. And because of this, we have to look beyond the superificial projections we hold in our relationships with each other. In this way, we must strive to lessen our attachments, our aversion, and our neutrality to people.

It's a tough road for those of use who grew up in the Western world, based upon Western philosophy to swallow. Of course our natural inclination is to be selfish and protective of those we love the most -- our attachments. Of course it is natural to see justice done to those who have wronged us -- our enemies, or those we are adverse towards. Of course we carry no opinion of those we do not really know -- our neutrals.

But as we push ourselves into a New Year, I am reminded of that concept of keeping an even mind may indeed be the most important aspect to our survival, and indeed, our ability to flourish. As such, my number one New Year's Resolution for 2008 is to cultivate an even mind as best I can. It was a skill and/or concept that has failed me in the past that I hope will get better with time and age.

An even mind may not necessairly make me a better person in the long run. But at least it will help me to find compassion for all people.

My One and Only Love

Those who know me might be surprised to learn that deep down I'm a romantic. I had one of those "moments" tonight (probably fueled slightly by the fact that I miss Jen because she is in Mexico City) and thought I'd share for you fellow romantics out there.

Driving home tonight, I had my iPod going on the car stereo, and the song "My One and Only Love" came on. I consider the most beautiful, most romantic, and best love song ever written. Every time I hear it I literally feel goosebumps.

The version on my iPod is done by Sting from the "Leaving Las Vegas" Soundtrack. I find it quite haunting and a wonderful rendition. So much so, Jen and I picked it for our first dance at our wedding nearly ten years ago. (So yeah, I'm a little biased.)

The lyrics are below, as well as a gorgeous video from YouTube somebody created using Sting's version of the song. It's for all you romantics at heart out there. Feel free to share your favorite love songs in the Comments section.

My One and Only Love

The very thought of you makes
My heart sing,
Like an April breeze
On the wings of spring
And you come to me all your splendor,
My one and only love

The shadow's fall and spread their
Mystique charms in the hush of night,
While you're in my arms.
I feel your lips, so warm and tender,
My one and only love

The touch of your hand is like heaven.
A heaven that I've never known
The blush on your cheek,
Whenever I speak,
Tells me that you are my own
You fill my eager heart with
Such desire,
Every kiss you give
Sets my soul on fire
I give myself in sweet surrender,
My one and only love

Happy United Nations Day

Today is United Nations Day, or the anniversary of the signing of the UN Charter in 1945.



It's hard to remember now, in the ethos of the so-called post 9/11 world, but the U.N. did have significance once upon a time. And perhaps, in a post-Bush world, it will have signifcance again.

Sometimes with the higher profile cases of war, where the U.N. has been paralyzed by one of the "Big 5" (United States, Russia, France, China and the U.K.) to intercede, it's easy to write off the U.N. as ineffective, worthless, and the like. Certainly, that's exactly what right-wingers want us to do...a waste of time and money, they say.

But let's remember what the U.N. has accomplished.

Perhaps the greatest testement to the U.N.'s sucesses is the Trusteeship Council. The Council was tasked with providing for independence and the transition to independent forms of government for nation-states that were former colonies of Western powers. In 1994, the Trusteeship Council disbanded, because it had wholly done its job, providing for independence for all territories the U.N. held in trust.

But more than that, here's a more complete list of the accomplishments of the U.N. in it's brief 60 year history:

* Over 35 peacekeeping missions (16 active) worldwide.
* Negotiated over 172 peaceful settlements to conflicts.
* The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
* United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (i.e. the Kyoto Protocol)
* $800 million a year spent worldwide via UNICEF on immunization, nutrition, health care for children
* Brokered over 300 treaties on everything from human rights to the use of outer space
* UN High Commissioner on Refugees assists nearly 20 million refugees a year

That's just for starters. In the 62 years since its inception, the U.N., U.N. agencies, and U.N Secretary Generals have won a cumulative total of eight Nobel Peace Prizes:

1954: UN High Commissioner on Refugees

1961: Dag Hjalmar Agne Carl Hammarskjöld

1965: United Nations Children's Fund

1969: International Labour Organization

1981: UN High Commissioner on Refugees

1988: UN Peacekeeping Forces

2001: United Nations and Kofi Annan

2005: International Atomic Energy Agency and Mohammed ElBaradei

In 60 years, the U.N. has developed an astounding legacy already. Unfortunately, the United States rarely recognizes that legacy, or the UN's purpose, unless it serves our own. Hopefully that will change in the next sixty years of the organization's history.

As former UN Secretary General Dag Hammarskjöld once said:

"The UN was not created to take humanity to heaven but to save it from hell."


Indeed. As bad things are, imagine the last 60 years without the United Nations. What type of world would it be? Would there be a world at all?

Something to consider on this UN Day.

You can read these words and reflect on a time when the world had hope that it could save it from itself.

The Melancholy of Autumn

It's odd. Those who know me know that autumn is my favorite season. The temparture turns cooler, the leaves turn, the sights, the smells. The traditional symbolism of spring is the time of renewal. And while autumn represents the last gasp of change before winter's eternal slumber, I've never thought of it that way.

To me, autumn was the renewal period: the period to reflect on the year gone by, to celebrate with family and friends holidays representing generosity, to share in camaraderie, to enjoy that amorphous concept called life.

But this autumn, more melancholy reigns than anything else. And it is not a melancholy embedded in select Japanese anime characters that allows one to change reality, appealing as that supernatural power may be. I'm not sure what it is this year, but this autumn has got me, well, bummed.

What could it be?

I have several theories:

1. The Longhorns suck. And so do the Wolverines. Odd, isn't it, that I define autumn by the performance of my favorite college football teams? But there is a strong association of football with fall...stronger than any other connection. I can't be that shallow to write off my favorite season because of the performance of a couple of hundred college students I don't know, though...can I?

2. It ain't cold yet. This might be a more reasonable explanation. One of the things I love about fall is to be able to breathe deep on a cool crisp day, to feel the change of season with all your senses. It's also a perfect time for the amateur BBQer in me to crack out the maple or apple logs and smoke festive, flavorful, fall type meats like salmon and turkey. Instead, we are treated to temperatures that hover above 80 degrees, and it feels like instead of flannels and jeans and cider that I should still be wearing shorts and sandals and grilling steaks. Such a weird feeling. And the lack of color in the trees due to a. the "heat wave" and b. the drought...not much fun, either.

3. Work, work, work. Those who litigate know: nothing ever happens in the summer. Why? Because good litigation attorneys, as well as judges, are smart enough to get out of Dodge during the summer months. Better to be on a golf course than in a courtroom. Which means, by extension, that all litigation gets put off until the fall...and starts to pile up into the winter. I'm beginning to feel that drag now, and it's not exactly lightening my load...or my mood.

As much as I loved living in Austin, the one thing I hated was that it went from summer to winter practically in one fell swoop. Something like:

* Summer temps in the 90s and 100s; followed by...
* Two weeks of crisp fall air; followed by...
* Winter.

I like four seasons, clearly defined. I hope my autumn comes so I can see the leaves, enjoy some beaujolais, watch the time turn once again.

But if there's no autumn and snow is on the ground by early December? Makes for a grumpy Steve.

And so it begins...

Given my frequent blogging in the past two years under the "wmtriallawyer" handle at political blogs such as Daily Kos, friends have frequently asked me, "Why don't you start your own blog?"

Well, fine. I give in. And here it is.

Unlike most of my political screeds in the political blog realm, I intend to use this space as blogging should be used: as the ultimate act of navel gazing.

So feel free to check in from time to time to see what, if anything, I have to say. I appreciate commentary...it means you love me enough to care.

SWT