Is acedia depression? My answer is No, not exactly, but I must struggle to articulate the difference with precision. —Kathleen Norris, Acedia and Me, p24 Emphatically not the same. I can tell from the inside. When I observe the outward signs (including struggling to get out of bed, not tackling even the smallest of house-tasks available, human […]
Having experienced both [depression and acedia], I think it likely that much of the restless boredom, frantic escapism, commitment phobia, and enervating despair that plagues us today is the ancient demon of acedia in modern dress. —Kathleen Norris, Acedia and Me, p3 I mention this to demonstrate my earnestness: see, I am now reading That […]
Oh, I’m vain. I caught an appreciative grin from a man my son C’s age, and I’m pluming myself all the way to lunch. I’m mesmerized by a chance photo from last week, looking at muscle definition on my arms: have I been lifting weights that much? Another pair of pants goes in the too-big […]
It’s been nearly a week since I was going to think more carefully about acedia and me (also a great book, bought my own copy last Thursday). Definitely a tricky bastard of a head-space. In the meantime I’ve been confirming one aspect of my writer’s life: I compose narratives like this ALL THE TIME. As […]
“A schedule broken at will becomes a mere procession of vagaries.” —Nero Wolfe in Murder by the Book, p. 194 I was reading escapist fiction. First thing in the morning, which is a very escapist thing to do…particularly in summertime when I’ve told myself I’m going to mow and trim the yard. The day only gets […]
