The Wall

The Master [Confucius] said, “To learn, and at due times to practice what one has learned, is that not also a pleasure? To have friends come from afar, is that not also a joy? To go unrecognized, yet without being embittered, is that not also to be a noble person?” Here’s a comprehensive introduction to Chinese religions across the dynasties: bit.ly/bcl-wiley-chinese-religions

Thank you for asking for consent! If I had toes I might let you touch them. Alas! I have no toes. Nor am I a toe wall, though I count some toe walls as friends: bit.ly/toe-wall

This question is a popular one, so it’s a great service to others that you asked! I wish I had an answer. It’s different for everyone. Perhaps rephrase the question: how can I find my purpose and meaning? Father Himes (1947-2022), a beloved professor of theology at BC, said to ask yourself three key questions: What brings me joy? What am I good at? To whom can I be of service? Your life’s meaning is where those three intersect. (bit.ly/himes-3key)

People-pleasing can just be being agreeable. But it can also be a form of manipulating circumstances to avoid conflict or other threats, and get in the way of thriving & relationships. If you’re a BC student, the counseling center could a good place to determine what’s going on and change habits if necessary. (bit.ly/BC-counseling)

My suggestions are: A Safe Girl to Love: Stories by Casey Plett; An Unkindess of Ghosts by River Solomon; Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas; Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki; A Rotten Girl by J. Ursula Topaz. If you’d like more recommendations in a particular genre or with specific themes leave another note. Can’t wait to hear what you think.

The baseball World Series trophy was like ten feet from me one afternoon in 2018. So wild. https://library.bc.edu/answerwall/2018/12/19/5621/

If I had toes, touching them would warrant hands. If I had both, I would suppose I couldn’t, given the virtue of my inflexibility. I’ve met the flexible walls inflated every winter at Alumni Stadium. I think they can touch their toes, but only when they deflate.

Love is uncertain, so I make no guarantees. But yes, there are lots and lots of nice people here.

While both technically work, I’m partial to “San Fran.” “SF” made me think of science fiction, but that might just be because I live in a library next to the pop collection.

Life’s too short for toxic. But it’s rough out there, so maybe don’t rage quit and instead quietly line up your next thing. Good luck!

I asked one of my assistants, and they said that they try to focus on two words: “be correctable.” Try to take responsibility and accountability for your choices, apologize and seek repair, and focus on how you will do things differently moving forward. We can’t change what we did in the past, but we absolutely can decide to approach things differently in the future.

It’s possible to have an architectural theme for a campus without making every building look the same.

I’m really more a continental philosophy type than an analytical one. Allow me to recommend something like Gensler’s Introduction to Logic. https://bit.ly/4d8rjmj

That’s either a bad idea or hype. Healthy weight loss plans are slow, like 5-10% of your current weight in six months. Some suggestions: https://bit.ly/4etDwo4

Yes, but beauty (or character, values, interests, etc.), eye of the beholder, etc., etc.

Mostly bipedal?

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