How close are we to the brink of something? Or how close to a shore? Electrical essences in the basement! Do you realize how much things have changed in the past two centuries?
A Canticle For Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller, Jr. (1959)
The Rule of 3 is a writing principle that suggests that a trio of entities such as events or characters is more
Three entities combines both brevity and rhythm with having the smallest amount of information to create a pattern.
The rule has been confirmed by anthropological experts as an archetypal principle that works on three levels:
A: Ah, when creation shows so much beauty, how radiant must be the source!
V: How can anyone today study to become a minister!
A: Your rationalism is as dry as dust.
V: I say that modern man believes in only himself and his biological death.
A: Modern man is a figment of your imagination. Man regards death with horror.
V: Religion for the people. Opium for the aching limb.
The Coffer Illusion by Anthony Norcia – Believe it or not, there are 12 circles in this image (and 12 is a hint that will help you see them).
I will understand if you quit looking for now, but if you decide to give up: click here.
Every time you let go of something limiting, you create space for something better.
Stephen C. Paul
On the second day of her hunting, as she was returning from the chase, and was arrived within a little distance from Mr Western’s house, her horse, whose mettlesome spirit required a better rider, fell suddenly to prancing & capering in such a manner that she was in the most imminent peril of falling.
Tom Jones, who was at a little distance behind, saw this, and immediately galloped up to her assistance.
As soon as he came up, he leapt from his own horse, and caught hold of hers by the bridle.
The unruly beast presently reared himself an end on his hind legs, and threw his lovely burthen from his back, and Jones caught her in his arms.
The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling by Henry Fielding (1749)
I glanced round the bus. Though the windows were closed, and soon muffed, the bus was full of light. It was cruel light. I shrank from the faces and forms by which I was surrounded. They were all fixed faces, full not of possibilities but of impossibilities, some gaunt, some bloated, some glaring with idiotic ferocity, some drowned beyond recovery in dreams; but all, in one way or another, distorted and faded. One had a feeling that they might fall to pieces at any moment if the light grew much stronger. Then-there was a mirror on the end wall of the bus-I caught sight of my own.
And still the light grew.
The Great Divorce by C. S. Lewis
The oficer standing in the center of this group of Union soldiers after the battle of Antietam is Lt. Alonzo Cushing, who died less than a year after this group portrait while fighting in Gettysburg during Pickett’s Charge. Sitting at left is Evan Thomas, who was killed in ambush by the Modoc Indians a decade later in California.
When you’re in a place of natural silence, you’re not alone, and you can feel it. Whether it’s birdcalls from miles away or the proximity of a giant tree whose warm tones you can feel, there’s a presence, It’s a quieting experience.
–Gordon Hempton, in August 2023 Sun Magazine