Beings how I scheduled this post ahead of time, I have no idea how the election turned out. Therefore, I shall make a prediction.
I predict,
- The sun rose today
- The birds sang
- The neighbor’s dog pooped in my yard
One more thing that’s fairly safe to predict: No matter who won, the other side is plenty unhappy about it.
It’s times like these when we need to step back, seek wisdom from our philosophers, and eat cookies.
(Not many people know this, but philosophers regularly ate cookies. If they look morose, it’s because someone over baked them.)
So whether your candidate won or lost, consider these philosophical musings, as well as a cookie recipe that promises world peace. (No, really!)
Nothing is so wretched or foolish as to anticipate misfortunes. What madness is it to be expecting evil before it comes! –Seneca
That’s not to say you shouldn’t prepare in case of calamity. Just don’t be a Negative Nellie about it. (Pretty sure it was the Stoics who invented the phrase ‘Negative Nellie.’ I could be wrong, though.)
Man’s mind is so formed that it is far more susceptible to falsehood than to truth. — Erasmus
This may explain the past election, yes? But the problem with thinking how it applies to other people is that we don’t consider how it might apply to us. Humility is key.
The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt. –Bertrand Russell
Ah, that Bertrand. Always the card. Yet his words give us caution.
It is when we feel most certain of ourselves that we’re most likely playing the fool. The only safe course is to continue reading and learning from a wide variety of sources, remaining open to other viewpoints, and always doubting our cocksure opinions.
Don’t like feeling uncertain? Well, consider what an existentialist has to say:
The misery and greatness of this world: it offers no truths, but only objects for love. Absurdity is king, but love saves us from it. –Albert Camus
Now is not the time for gloating or crying fowl. Instead, all we need is love, love, love.
But however catchy a tune, love can be hard.
I don’t mean to be overly flippant about this. We need to recognize that there are people who are genuinely pained their candidate lost. And I may be one of them.
In case I am, let’s hear from the Stoics again:
Keep in mind how fast things pass by and are gone – those that are now and those to come. Existence flows past us like a river: the ‘what’ is in constant flux, the ‘why’ has a thousand variations. Nothing is stable, not even what’s right here. The infinity of past and future gapes before us – a chasm whose depths we cannot see. –Marcus Aurelius
Some look at the transience of life as frightening, but in truth, it should be a comfort. Whatever worry or sadness you or I may be feeling, it will pass. Life moves on and somehow we find a way to trudge through, hopefully forgive one another, love each other, and once again be happy.
Cookies help. Cookies always help.
Pierre Hermé & Dorie Greenspan's World Peace Cookies
I first came across these cookies at Food52.com. (Click HERE for the original recipe).
I don’t know who Pierre and Dorie are, but they contend if everyone was given one of these cookies warm from the oven, there would be world peace. And while I’m not one for overly simplistic solutions, you gotta admit, this one sounds like a winner.
These aren’t your typical soft cookies, as they have a crunchier texture. Sort of like a pecan sandie, only with chocolate. I think if you added a couple eggs and extra flour, you’d get a softer cookie. Fairly certain it wouldn’t hinder world peace.
1 1/4 cups flour- 1/3 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 stick & 3 Tablespoons butter, softened
- 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips
Sift the flour, cocoa and baking soda together.
Using a hand mixer, beat the butter on medium speed until soft and creamy. Add both sugars, salt and vanilla and beat for 2 minutes more. Add the dry ingredients and blend in just until combined (I did this with a wooden spoon rather than the mixer). Stir in chocolate chips.
Turn the dough out onto a work surface and divide in half. Shape the dough into logs about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Wrap them in plastic wrap and put in refrigerator for three hours or overnight. (The logs I made were about 8 to 9 inches long – dampen your hands with water and you can form the dough in a snap.)
Preheat oven to 325 °F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Using a knife, slice the logs into rounds that are about 1/2-inch thick. Arrange on baking sheets leaving about 1 inch between them.
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, no more. They won’t look done, nor will they be firm, but don’t sweat it. Let cookies cool a little before scarfing them… I mean sharing them with friends and enemies alike, thereby making more friends and establishing peace on earth. ❤
Feeding on Folly 
I’m feeling a bit better, C. J. Your words and quotes are comforting. I’ll be using this recipe in our Church’s recipe book. Thanks ,
I’m glad it helped. I feel the need to read it a few more times myself. Wish I could be a bit more stoic right now…
I’ve recorded all of the made for Christmas movies playing on the Hallmark Channel and will be watching them instead of the News for the next two months. Gotta do what ya gotta do!
It seems we are of like minds. When in distress–bake. Also, the quotation above about Absurdity Being King seems awfully apt today. (Sorry if that was too snarky. I just found it a timely sentiment.)
No need to apologize – I thought the same thing when I chose the quote! 😉
Philosophy and cookies! I’m coming to your house for all future political events. What are you baking for Brexit?
Seems like that calls for chocolate chip scones, doesn’t it? Made with real cream, of course.
I enjoyed your post. Thanks!
Regarding the cookies … really wish I weren’t on a diet 😦
Glad you enjoyed it, sorry for the temptation! 😉
That little rascal better not have pooped in my yard. That’s my dog’s job.
The encouragement in this post was refreshing. America and the world have survived worse and we’ll do it again.
Yeah, that’s what I keep telling myself, over and over again.
I hear that if you say something enough, you’ll trick yourself into believing it’s true. Still testing it out myself. I have 1000 followers I have 1000 followers I have 1000 followers…
Philosophy and cookies, Sounds great…
Comforting words, comforting food. All we need is a gentle rain and our day is complete.
Nice piece Christi. Not just a humorist but a philosopher too! And a good reminder; Chicken Little hasn’t been right yet, even if it sometimes seems that way.
Thanks Dave. You’re right, Chicken Little is a pest, but she sure can scare us just the same!
Someone I know described another (his ex-daughter-in-law, in fact) as someone who was often wrong but never unsure.
Yes, I’ve known the type. Never much fun to be around, are they?
[…] The Election is Over; It’s Time for Philosophy and Cookies at Feeding on Folly […]
I am in awe with the great agility you displayed in walking this fine line. Great piece!
Thank you Brian, I’m honored by your words. Honestly, I feel kind of helpless right now. Still processing things, I guess.
I did not vote, but I do love cookies.
Kind regards,
Cookies are the universal language – no, wait. That’s love. I’m sure cookies are the universal something.
Thanks for stopping by!
Like also the quotes from stoicism!
Thanks! Those are my favorites, and the ones I turn to when I need a calmer head.
What a happy bit of perspective in a crazy time. Well done.
Thanks! A happy perspective can be useful at the craziest of times. 🙂
[…] morning after the 2016 presidential election, I posted this. A lot has happened since that day and sometimes I wondered if my stoic message of […]