Basic Instructions by Scott Meyer for January 30, 2023

I have found that reading Go Comics is a good and decent way of relieving stress levels. Best part is no one tells me to stop giggling.

I really like the not-so-subtle putdowns of the cardigan guy.

The Beatles famously tried TM, but gave it up after being disillusioned with the founder (Maharishi Mahesh Yogi). George Harrison eventually switched to Hare Krishna, which he stayed with for the rest of his life.

I just watch 4 minute “mindfulness” videos on youtube. Anything longer than that enrages me.

I did not know TM was still a thing. I thought it went out with pet rocks.

Yeah… “while someone else tells me how to relax” is remarkably unrelaxing. I’ve been dragged into a few guided-meditation sessions, and found them far less conducive to meditation than just going for a walk in the woods or sitting around counting the snow.

Some time ago, in an effort to reduce my stress levels, I bought some “Lemon Balm Melissa Leaf”, an “Over-the-Counter” Herb. I’m not completely sure there’s no “Placebo Effect” going on, but I have felt less stressed since then…

“You should sit in meditation for twenty minutes everyday – unless you’re too busy; then you should sit for an hour.”

― Dr. Sukhraj Dhillon

Benson and Klipper’s The Relaxation Response tells you how to do it without the instructor.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bz31kvCPC54

Interesting: Carrey portrayed Andy Kaufman practicing TM in “Man on the Moon.”

The more we learn habits of focus instead of distraction, the more we find natural calm instead of artificial restlessness…

No, no, Scott, you misheard the doc. She said “medication”!

2/6/2023: Dang! Is this the “new thing”, not updating the strip?

Believe me, I had dozens of “user checks” getting this and preceding entries entered. Old guy with new smart phone.

The UX of the UI is terrible. Old dog learns (kerns!?) new tricks. Details at 11.

6Feb: How to Disappoint Readers By Not Showing a New Strip . I can’t imagine what will happen next week, when Friday the 13th falls on a Monday.

You know what would lower stress levels around here? New basic instructions.

Scott puts out one a week and STILL takes a vacation?

First strip with a 2023 copyright. Probably broke the system. Next one 2024.

I usually hit the “Random” button a couple of times a week, sometimes I read a salient wise comment, and then notice it was something I stated many years ago. I was directed to one from about 15 years ago where there were no comments shown, so of course, I commented “First”.