Enlightenment (in Buddhism): the ability to see the true nature of reality. This is typically accompanied by enhanced morality, equanimity, concentration and feelings of loving-kindness towards all beings.
Baka (Japanese; 馬鹿, ばか): idiot; moron; fool.
My grandfather (bless his departed soul), ever since I was a little kid and throughout adulthood used to call me (in Russian) умный дурак (pronounced “oomney doorak”), which translates to “smart fool.”
There is also a Japanese expression 馬鹿と天才は紙一重 (“baka to tensai wa kami hitoe”), which means there’s a fine line (“a single hair’s thickness”) between an idiot and a genius.
These expressions inspired the title for my blog, conveying self-confidence balanced by humility. We can be smart and successful, while still being spectacularly wrong on occasion.
Why do I write?
I write to add value to you, my beloved reader.
To create a legacy.
To make a few bucks (maybe).
I write to improve the quality and lucidity of my thinking. Humans can think much faster than we can write. Writing will force me to commit to one highly focused train of thought at a time as I journey through an increasingly distracted and fragmented world.