AUGUST 21, 2026

The danger of neutrality, and some road trip protest songs

Hello friend,
 
I’m just back from Nashville for business, and a road trip with my kid in Quebec into Ontario. 
 
Harper and I were peeling down the 401 in his pickup, talking about how a mold outbreak in his apartment turned out to be a blessing. (Note: mold in two of my homes did me dirty, and it took me 3 years to get my health back, so this is a hot topic.) 
 
Because of the health hazard, Harper was able to get out of a year-long lease on the same day that he found a rad pad three times the size, in a great neighbourhood, for only $30 more a month. 
 
“Thank f*ck for the mold!” Yes.
Which got us critiquing the old story about the farmer and his “good luck/bad luck.” 
 
Do you know this one?:
An old farmer’s horse runs away, so Farmer can’t work his crops any longer. The neighbors say: “Such bad luck!” The farmer says, “Maybe.”
 
The horse comes back, bringing with it three wild horses. The neighbors say, “Such good luck!” The farmer says, “Maybe.”
 
The farmer’s son gets thrown off one of the horses and breaks his leg. The neighbors say, “Such bad luck!” The farmer says, “Maybe.”
 
Soon after, the army comes to conscript young village men for war. Because of his broken leg, the son got passed over. The neighbors say, “Such good luck!” The farmer says, “Maybe.”
Obviously, this is a lesson in neutrality and detachment—both of which are healthy human behaviours the world could use more of.
 
But… this story always left me anxious about when the good luck might turn into bad luck. I think, ultimately, Mr. Farmer missed a big op for joy.

Impartiality is the opposite of passion.
I choose passion.

The “could be good, could be bad,” posture stops us from craning to find the beauty. In my experience, the beauty is always there, and having to dig for it is radiance-building.
 
The “could be good, could be bad,” approach can trigger fear and tamp down happiness.
 
Could it all go south? Possibly. Is it all fun? No. 
 
But…
 
Is it ALL Divine? YES—if you dig deep enough.
 
Is it all Divine no matter what? YES—if you dig deep enough.
 
Even the worst stuff? YES—if you dig deep enough.
 
The dig to find the Divine is the transmutational act. It can take years to tap gold. But it’s ever present.
 
This is the teaching of all mystics: that the function of suffering is to return us to the ecstacy of the Divine.
 
The “could be good, could be bad” thought form can delay the ecstasy available to us.
 
……
 
I’ve tried to neutralize my longings for sacred union and unfleeting beauty. It didn’t work. I relent to passion.
 
I want to dig deep enough to find the Light. Every time, no matter what.
 
……
 
So when the love runs away, or the toxins spread; when anxiety flares, or the fire takes it all, whatchya gonna do?
 
Dig deep enough to find the Divinity in it—the beauty, the possible utility. Do it as soon as you can. You can train your mind to respond like this, without hesitation.
 
Go full on beauty hound.
 
When the crops cash in, when the love comes, when the Joy is revealed—immediately and passionately appreciate it. None of this “Could be good, could be bad,” slightly hedgy prognosticative cool stuff.
 
Practice decisive passion over impartiality.
 
It’s the choice to let the “bad” be of benefit—even when it’s not apparent. And to let the good be incredible.
TUNES
 

When it comes to road trip music, we play to win. Kendrick Lamar, Steve Lacey and Meat Puppets made an appearance, but these are mama-endorsed for singing with all you’ve got:

1. Jesse Wells, Masks Off — best protest album in a long time
2. Daniel Caesar, Best Part (featuring H.E.R.) — sexiest sexy
3. The Wood Brothers, Sing About It — “sing and it passes”
4. The Tragically Hip, Bobcageon — if you’re Canadian, you know
5. Glen Hansard, Love Don’t Leave Me Waiting — troubadour supreme

GET ENERGIZED
 
Centered Planners are in the shop now! I know, it’s AUGUST. But once you get your planner, I bring you into an ecosystem of support and fun intel. Energetics of the week, planning with the planets…so good. SEE THE SHOP.
 
I’m so glad you’re here.
 
With Love,
THE CENTERED PLANNER. EVERY DAY IS SACRED.

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