Early-morning philosophy

I woke up this morning thinking about the book Being and Nothingness by Sartre (which, by the way, I have not read, and was confusing with Being and Time by Heidegger). What I was thinking as I repeatedly snoozed the alarm clock: No question, nothingness is way better than being.

It sounds so nihilistic... but, really, I was just sleepy.

Pleasure

Pleasure is wild and sweet. She likes purple flowers. She loves the sun and the wind and the night sky. She carries a silver bowl full of liquid moonlight. She has a cat named Midnight with stars on his paws.

Many people mistrust Pleasure and even more misunderstand her. For a long time I could hardly stand to be in the same room with her. I went to sleep early to avoid her. I thought she was a gossip and a flirt and she drank too much. In school we learned that she was dangerous, and I was sure that she would distract me from my work. I didn't realize she could nurture me.

As I have changed, Pleasure has changed. I have learned to value her friendship.

~J. Ruth Gendler, The Book of Qualities