Kate VonderPorten

Put your own mask on before assisting others.

El Tiradito, the only shrine dedicated to a sinner on unconsecrated ground, is in Tucson.

Sin City, living in sin, mortal sin, what is the business of pleading sinful? I am not a conventionally religious person ÷ Hail Mary does not mean much to me ÷ except that I have an Aunt Mary whom I dearly love. I am tired of seeing the classic virgin heroine in movies all innocent and wide-eyed.

Philosophers are divided on the subject of sin and morality; moral relativism tells us that morality is relative to the culture in which one lives. Does this work for college campuses? Family life? I am going to venture a ăyes,ä and for the sake of my semi-argument, rant and words of wisdom move beyond sin because I really donât know what it is exactly and hope you will figure it out for yourself and let me know.

Is morality also relative to how happy you are as an individual? I am a much more morally just person after a good nightâs sleep and maybe a wonderful snog session.

Buddhist Samyukta Nikaya (Kindred Sayings) says, ăBy protecting oneself, one protects others; by protecting others, one protects oneself.ä

I will loosely translate that for you as ămake yourself happy, and in the process, you will be more able to make others happy too.ä

Why make this claim now? Why link it to morality? Is happiness in a job better than financial security and lots of hobbies on the side? Will one diminish or nourish the other? Check with me in five years.

Back to what we can do now · find your passion, follow it and be as good to yourself and others along the way as you can. Live as if you are an old woman or man looking back on your life ÷ would you be happy with that decision in five years? In 50?

I once read an old womanâs wish list, and on top of her list was not to have more money but to have more time barefoot and to eat more ice cream · point taken. On my way home from my last final, I ditched my bike, did a cartwheel and stopped to lie in the grass and look at the moon ÷ time well spent amid the craziness. ăDoctor, heal thyselfä comes to mind.

So instead of running yourself ragged, take time out to make yourself happy.

Never postpone joy ÷ if you donât have time for yourself now, then when?

Who will ultimately take care of you but you? If you canât make yourself happy, no one else will be able to.

Does this read like a yearbook?

Offer yourself a nap and some pleasure. As a wise sage told me recently (thanks Campus Health), you show other people how to treat you.

I know it is already the summer, but take a vacation and then go visit your grandmother.