What a 2020esque Night's Sleep
The shortest day of the year, and the longest night.
The Joy of an Intimate Relationship
- the idea of a spiritual partnership
- what a true soul to soul partnership is
A spiritual partnership is not the same as a marriage. Marriage is between two people who promise to stay together no matter what happens. A spiritual partnership is between two people who promise themselves to use all of their experiences, negative and positive, to grow spiritually.
A spiritual partner is not there to make you feel comfortable. Their purpose is to help you grow in the deepest, most profound way.
Often times within intimate relationships, people grow apart from each other. Imagine turning your most difficult and painful experiences into an opportunity to grow within your relationship. To move from conflict toward a more expansive sense of peace than you ever thought possible, that's a true spiritual partnership.
It requires focus and attention from the deepest part of us.
Greet What You Are Avoiding
The thing about avoidance is, it tends to snowball. The longer we avoid something, the more anxiety and negative emotion accumulate around it.
What Am I Saving
This morning during my Shine meditation, I was asked to envision a drawer to look inside, to see what it is I'm saving. It is a map of a trip I have wished to take for a very long time. I wish to visit and explore the birthplaces of my grandparents.
I bring a handful of artistic partners with me, so I can document this journey. I hire translators once we arrive in Eastern Europe.
Day 1. We fly into Prague and spend the night.
Day 2. We rent a vehicle and drive five hours to Krakow and spend the night.
Day 3. We spend a full day in Krakow. Exploring. Researching.
Day 4. We drive from Krakow to Ternopil, Ukraine. We set up shop there for days 5, 6, and 7. This may include day trips to Monastyrys'ka.
Day 8. We drive 5 hours to Coțușca, Romania, and set up shop for days 9, 10, and 11. This will include explorations in and to Novoselytsya, which is actually over the Ukraine border, but is more associated with dad's family from Bessarabia. The right translators will be crucial.
Day 12. Heading back towards Prague, we drive 10 hours to Budapest. The entire crew gets a free day (13) to do whatever they'd like in Budapest.
Day 14. We drive 5 hours back to Prague to return the car and spend the night.
Day 15. We take the train to Berlin, Germany. We spend three days exploring and researching. This is the last known place my great aunt was photographed alive. And I must see this corner, whether it still exists or not. Days 16, 17, and 18.
Day 18. We hop one of those late in Europe/early in New York flights and head home.
What a Horrible Night's Sleep
I took an ambien at about 10pm. I crawled into bed, and put some Tik Tok videos together. I know that this is not a good pre-bedtime ritual, but it is what I have been doing. I don't record nor post myself. But I have been falling asleep as I edit film. Feel free to check out my channel if you'd like (karenlichtman).
There came a point at which I just switched to a meditation, and fell asleep. It must have been around 11pm.
2am I am wide awake, up and walking around awake. I ate whatever was left of the potato chips, and snacked on some Goji Getter. I know this not the best thing eat if I'm hoping to get back to sleep, but at least it was a healthier choice.
I watched some Facebook videos, and then crawled back into bed. I committed myself to meditation and breathing, but I know I saw 5am on my clock. Then it was 8am. Then it was 9am.
What a 2020esque night's sleep.
Taking a Moment to Get Grounded
My mind and body are relaxed. I am tapping into my truest self, my authenticity. I choose to live my authentic self every day. I embrace who I am. I appreciate who I am. Only I can design my life. I am a unique masterpiece. I am enough. I know who I am, and I like who I am. (Shine 12/20)
My morning rituals, however, have been appeasing, productive, and making me feel better.
I know that when I return to work, no two days will be the same. But as I am taking the steps to straighten out my days, I know some sort of cycle of these practices will see me though.
Let's build a fire together.
I am safe and oriented. My body is involved.
What do I take away from this fire?
I hear the strum of an acoustic guitar, an old familiar song. The lyrics in my head come out of my mouth. I am content here. This fire is warming my heart.
We sing a duet, then the chorus. The fire draws me in.
Crackle. Zoom.
I remember the house fire.
I compare it to my mom's last flicker on Earth, on this the shortest day of the year, and the longest night.
And the broken pieces of her mixing bowl.
There's a glistening in the distance. I trust it to orient me.
The teacher needs to play as much as the kids.
About the Creator
Karen Lichtman
Plant based. Runner. Young widow.
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Day 4 of Quitting
If this is how sobriety feels, maybe it’s better to go through life a little buzzed… this, along with other hits like, I want to kill myself, I wish I was dead, and I’m going to throw myself off a bridge have been the only thoughts on rotation these past few days. I promise myself that if, in a month, I still feel like this (‘this’ meaning despondent, full of rage, and simultaneously numb) I can go back to smoking. Until mid-February though? Nicotine is off the table.
By sleepy drafts7 days ago in Longevity
The Return of the Aircraft Carrier Truman Is Being Seen as a Snub to the Navy in the War of the Future
The return of the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman to active deployment has sparked debate far beyond naval circles. While some see it as a show of enduring American naval power, others interpret the move as a symbolic snub—particularly in the context of how modern warfare is rapidly evolving. In an era dominated by drones, cyber warfare, hypersonic missiles, and artificial intelligence, the decision to once again lean heavily on a traditional aircraft carrier has raised uncomfortable questions about whether the Navy is preparing for the wars of tomorrow or clinging to the strategies of yesterday. A Floating Symbol of 20th-Century Power For decades, aircraft carriers have been the ultimate symbol of U.S. military dominance. These massive floating airbases project power thousands of miles from American shores and allow the U.S. to strike almost anywhere in the world. The Truman, like other Nimitz-class carriers, represents this legacy—housing nearly 5,000 sailors, dozens of fighter jets, and unmatched logistical capability. However, critics argue that what once made carriers indispensable now makes them vulnerable. Their sheer size, cost, and visibility turn them into high-value targets in a battlefield increasingly defined by precision strikes and long-range weapons. The “War of the Future” Looks Very Different Modern conflict is no longer limited to sea, land, and air. Cyber attacks can cripple infrastructure without a single shot fired. Drones can swarm targets at a fraction of the cost of traditional aircraft. Hypersonic missiles can reach targets faster than current defenses can respond. In this context, sending a massive carrier strike group into contested waters can appear less like a strategic necessity and more like a risky gamble. Critics argue that the return of the Truman reflects an outdated mindset—one that prioritizes visible force projection over adaptability and technological evolution. A Snub to Naval Innovation? Many analysts and serving officers believe the Navy’s future lies in distributed lethality—smaller, more agile platforms networked together, harder to detect and cheaper to replace. Unmanned surface vessels, autonomous submarines, and land-based missile systems are increasingly viewed as the backbone of next-generation naval warfare. Against this backdrop, recommitting to a traditional carrier is seen by some as sidelining innovation. It sends a message that, despite years of discussion about transformation, the Navy still defaults to familiar tools when tensions rise. This perception has led to frustration among those advocating for faster modernization. They argue that resources devoted to maintaining and protecting carriers like the Truman could instead accelerate investment in emerging technologies that are more relevant to future conflicts. The Strategic Signal to Allies and Rivals Supporters of the decision counter that the Truman’s return is not about nostalgia—it’s about deterrence. Aircraft carriers remain powerful political tools. Their presence reassures allies, signals commitment, and demonstrates readiness in a way few other assets can. Yet even here, the message is mixed. To technologically advanced rivals, the deployment may signal predictability rather than strength. Adversaries have spent years developing strategies specifically designed to neutralize carriers, including anti-ship ballistic missiles and advanced surveillance systems. Cost Versus Capability The financial reality cannot be ignored. A single carrier strike group costs billions of dollars to build, maintain, and operate. In contrast, drone fleets and missile systems can be produced and deployed at a much lower cost, often with greater strategic flexibility. Critics argue that continuing to rely on carriers drains resources from areas where the Navy needs to grow most urgently. In a future conflict defined by speed, dispersion, and digital dominance, the cost-benefit equation of aircraft carriers looks increasingly questionable. Why the Carrier Still Matters—For Now Despite the criticism, aircraft carriers are not obsolete—yet. They remain unmatched in their ability to sustain prolonged air operations without relying on foreign bases. In regions where access is limited or politically sensitive, carriers still provide options no other platform can. The real issue, many experts say, is not the existence of carriers like the Truman, but over-reliance on them. Using them as one component of a broader, more flexible strategy may still make sense. Treating them as the centerpiece of future war planning may not. A Turning Point for Naval Strategy The return of the USS Harry S. Truman highlights a deeper tension within modern military thinking. It represents a crossroads between tradition and transformation, between proven power and emerging threats. Whether history views this moment as a wise assertion of strength or a missed opportunity for innovation will depend on what comes next. If the Navy pairs legacy platforms with bold technological change, the carrier’s return may be justified. If not, it risks becoming a powerful symbol—not of dominance, but of reluctance to adapt in a rapidly changing world.
By Fiazahmedbrohi 2 days ago in Longevity
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