OBSERVATION: On a broad scale, (for example a bureaucracy), our basis for reason is not right and wrong; it is not fairness; it is not justice; it is not ethical behavior; it is varying combinations and degrees of money and power; power in turn, being determined by money and/or one's position of influence. And once one has tasted financial success and/or power, it is difficult for that individual (or organization) to think in any terms other than what he, she, or they believe to be the greater good; beliefs tainted by power that tend to lose sight of the individual. This is sad.

There is a stack of wood in my yard. This week I kicked it in frustration, and a hefty log rolled off, bruising my leg. Friedrich Nietzsche said "The growth of wisdom may be gauged exactly by the diminution of ill temper." I'm not sure I agree with Mr. Nietzsche. I believe my bruise added experience which contributed to wisdom. Last week I got angry and expressed frustration toward two individuals, one of whom understood and apologized, thus clearing the air, adding experience, and contributing to wisdom. The other individual wanted to fight; but I would argue that this also added to experience and contributed to wisdom in that I learned to consider the difference between one who is capable of reason and a block of wood.

Delirium: 'a more or less temporary disorder of the mental faculties, as in fevers, disturbances of consciousness, or intoxication, characterized by restlessness, excitement, and/or delusions.' By this definition, I cannot think of a circumstance when delirium (to some degree) does not accompany anger; or for that matter, any emotional reaction. I realize now that I have stated the obvious. Nonetheless, it is a reminder I want to explore. This (for me) solidifies my disagreement with Nietzsche's quote above.

I have recently discussed the necessity of a personal balance of transcendental and empirical. In the same sense, I do not believe that true learning and growth can take place without some emotive rationality. One must recognize, acknowledge, and fully feel the emotion, (and in some circumstance express the emotion), before being able to act rationally upon the emotion. To subdue emotions constricts the range of possible, rational response. Though once fully felt, to control emotional expression or reaction keeping it from the realm of irrational response, can be difficult.

Side note: 'emotive rationality' sounds like a phrase Dr. Spock (from Star Trek) might spout, and though it is an admirable concept, I also realize that irrational response (while perhaps not favorable) is at times unavoidable and still maintains a potential for adding to one's Wisdom.

Delirium by definition is a pathology, implying abnormal behavior. Yet I believe many (probably most, if not all) of us can recall a time we have been caught up in 'a moment' (of joy, fear, sadness, ecstasy, anger, disgust, serenity) when/where we have exhibited this pathology. Rather than suppress this state, I believe we should cultivate it, learning to (beyond the moment) react rationally. What would Life be otherwise without an experience of intoxicating love; or contempt for an injustice; or a temporarily delusional sense of optimism; or occasional, short-term melancholia; or a rare moment of delirious happiness. These 'abnormalities' help to define our reality and should not be held in check by an illusion of constant happiness or an expected sense of decorum.

I recently ran across a description of the musical rhythmic pattern 'clave' typically found in Afro-Cuban music. David Byrne in his book 'How Music Works' states that "much Latin music has a framework referred to as the clave (the key), which sometimes isn't even played or audibly articulated by any one instrument..." and he goes on to exclaim, "what a beautiful concept that is: the most important part is invisible!" I propose that emotion is to Life as rhythm is to music and the ideal (clave) invisibility can be attained by practicing emotive rationality. Emotionally, most of us will continue to clumsily oscillate along a spectrum of 'slow waltz to strident death metal' - unable to consistently keep the beat; but one can aspire...