Renewed Commitments
Doing What I Can
In ancient Rome, March was the first month of the year (that’s why October, November, and December were the 8th, 9th, and 10th months). Thus from a certain perspective March 1st is New Year’s Day - a time of longer days, returning light, fresh growth, new life, and renewed commitments.
February 2026 was a difficult month for me, having endured the loss of my dear Elisa and then our dog Red, too. Our little family went from four to two in three weeks - now it’s just me and our dog Chance. Yet I am blessed with loving family, dear friends, caring neighbors, a strong community, a lovely house, a serene location, abundant nature, beautiful art, financial independence, good health, numerous interests to explore, and long-term projects to complete before my days are done. Life is movement and activity and aspiration, and the finest way for me to honor the dead is to keep living and growing according to the best I have within me.
Over lunch soon after Elisa’s passing, my friend Dave Jilk mentioned an essay by science-fiction author Neal Stephenson, who says that if you want to publish books then you need to write four hours a day. Yesterday I was reading a book about jazz composer and teacher Lennie Tristano, who similarly told his students they needed to practice four hours a day. Given that I have aspirations in both writing and music, it sounds like I might need to dedicate eight hours a day to realizing my goals!
Actually, over the last two weeks I have been writing about two hours a day, and as a result I’ve drafted the first two chapters of my book about Aristotle’s conception of human fulfillment. At this rate I might finish the draft of all six chapters in March or April. And after learning of Tristano’s recommendation, I’ve set a goal of practicing music two hours a day, too. Perhaps I’ll work my way up to four hours a day each, but two is a good place to start.
In addition, I’ve realized that I need to take better care of myself physically, so I’m working to improve my health and fitness through diet and exercise.
However, lest you get the wrong impression, I’ll say that my renewed commitments are not only about me, me, me. I’m easing the burdens of some of my family members in various ways, and I’m about to start tutoring immigrants in English as a Second Language through my local library, which I did before I became a more or less full-time caregiver to Elisa. Further commitments might emerge as I deliberate about how to give back at this stage in my life.
As Elisa liked to say, all you can do is all you can do. I’m doing the best I can.
It's inspiring to read that you're doing what you can. I'm trying to as well. I'm walking and standing longer every week and doing more PT exercises. I'm writing more and promoting it more. I'm tutoring more. I've gone from being a semi-invalid to being just somewhat out of shape. I think I'll be able to knock around DC with Stef over Spring break! Let's talk soon.
Nice post! Very inspirational for all that are going through difficult periods. Take care.