Wednesday Wickedness

(Link in meme-roll)
Each week we will pick a famous person and pick ten of their quotes. Each of our questions will be based on the quotes. Today we picked Phil Jackson.

1. "Always keep an open mind and a compassionate heart.” Do you ALWAYS keep an open mind?

No. I'm not even going to try to lie about this; some things aren't worth having an open mind about: torture, abuse of children and animals, over-the-top stupidity. I work toward the compassionate heart, though.

2. “Wisdom is always an overmatch for strength.” Who is the wisest person you know? Who is the strongest?

I know quite a few wise people: Venus, Trud, Jim.... None of them is particularly strong physically, that I'm aware of, but Jim is the most physically fit of those three.

3. "Yes, victory is sweet, but it doesn't necessarily make life any easier the next season or even the next day."Do you think a successful day at your job makes the next day better or not?

Oddly, no. Well, actually, what I find odd is that the opposite does tend to be true: having a horrible day at work makes the next day bad too. So it would make sense if it worked both ways. But it doesn't.

4. "...True joy comes from being fully present in each and every moment, not just when things are going your way." How would we tell by your behavior if you are having a bad day?

I stomp around a lot, and cry if things are really out of control. Quite honestly, I'm liable to bite your head off the first time you talk to me.

5. "I gave it my body and mind, but I have kept my soul."Do you have days when you feel you gave it your all, but may have compromised your values?

Yup. Not days, though, just lengthy moments.

6. "Your problems never cease. They just change." What do you feel is your biggest problem at the moment?

Time management and my overwhelming laziness.

7. "My dad always had this little sign on his desk: 'The bigger your head is, the easier your shoes are to fill.' He really drilled that in."Does your ego sometimes get in your way?

Oh, hell, of COURSE it does!

8. "There is a saying that I love...It says: 'There are no Zen masters, there's only Zen.' 'Zen master' is a contradiction in terms. You don't master Zen." Do you believe in Zen? If yes, can it be mastered?

I wouldn't even begin to second-guess Jackson on mastering Zen. As for believing in it, from what I understand Zen is not something you believe it's something you practice, it's a habit of life.

9. "You can not teach competitiveness." Do you believe you could teach someone, like your child, to be competitive?

I have done so, to my credit and dismay.

10. "Home is where the heart is, right?” Obviously Phil didn't originate this quote. He said it when asked if he'd retire after this season. Do you believe home is not a place but rather a state of mind?

Yes. Yes I do. And it becomes more and more elusive as the years pass, it seems.