Spleen

In procrastination for a paper due this coming Thursday, I re-read an 18th-century poem by Matthew Green, "The Spleen," in which the poet reveals his secrets for avoiding this most English of maladies. He avoids meetings, the law, politics, religious disputes, fantasizing, and disappointment. He strives to be content. Green's advice reminds me vaguely of some Daily Dharma lessons that urge seekers for peace to live in the moment and be content. What disturbs me though is the idea of avoiding ambition. To be content with what I have would require constant vigilance. I would have to always accept that I'm exactly where I need to be. This sounds pleasant enough, but secretly I would always be guarding against the conviction that I'm a failure who is trying to brainwash herself into settling for less. This constant mental exertion seems much more painful than just DOING THE WORK I need to do to succeed. Ambition is much more easily satisfied than contentment is maintained.

Green's plan also requires remaining aloof from events and distancing oneself from cities and turmoil. That sounds incredibly boring to me. It would prevent me from gossipping about the DZ sorority at DePauw, for instance, where all but 6 girls were kicked out for "lacking commitment for recruitment" (i.e. they didn't look like typical sorority girls). This event is so unbelievable that it's sure to become a TV movie. Speaking of TV, did you know all networks have to provide 3 hours each week of educational programming for children? Univision has agreed to a fine for not meeting the obligation. All this is excellent material for my composition classes.