we focus on the breath and the objects in our sight only to realize how much is there if we start to effortlessly focus on the things at hand. we walk around with worlds on our shoulders— where the head should be, a body with a 365 degree view of the planet on its shoulders. without it, none of this would exist. i know 2019 mid-june in shanghai because i see it from the shoulders of my body, it exist for me and i know it is there, but i am not sure what this means or how it happens.

we are all doing our best. with the circus of politics and the unpredictability of world events, with news of disaster and countless occasions and problems arising, we do our best to whether each event and get through the day in one piece. challenges are abundant, and sometimes it is best to leave rough water alone for a while to see if things will settle themselves. the television always awaits, if you wish to switch off the cerebral matter and rest for awhile. most of us get by, even if we are faking it.

we act as if we are in control. that the thoughts come from within, that our life is in our control. we think we can understand and open and close our own hands, while not knowing for sure how the action actually comes about. while half of our functions, the hair growing on our head or the heart beating, happen without any effort, we imagine that at least half the other actions are our own actions producing those things. with little question or even pause to ponder, we go about our days in a rhythmic way that is not only out of our control but based on so many out of control factors. we watch the tide go in and out, the sun rise and fall, with little knowledge or understanding of our own place and position in it all. do i type these words of do the words come forth and get typed. did you come read this or did these words find you, and why must they matter so little and leave your mind as soon as another thought or cluster of words march its way in.