Thistle-Tomes Volume 2

I was struck by a social media post recently that suggested that the next honoree for the Presidential Medal of Freedom ought to be the little boy, Victor, who, in the midst of an armed attack on his Minneapolis school, threw himself protectively on top of his friend and classmate. And was subsequently shot in the back himself. (Both boys are recovering.)

It was the absolute humanity of the moment that stayed with me—the instinct to protect, to help. I have written a great deal lately about artificial intelligence, especially GenAI (Claude, ChatGPT, Poe, etc.). The contrast is clear: GenAI is a probabilistic algorithm with an overly pleasing interface. Victor (no last name was ever given) is a human who, in the face of inhumanity, acted out of love and concern for others.

In the spirit of that contrast, I have added a few more thoughts to my list of Thistle-Tomes, which I started last December. Please feel free to add your own.

This year’s list:

21. When shielding others from harm seems to conflict with informing others of the truth, choose carefully. The subsequent hurt can linger.

22. No one ever died of facing reality. Delusion can lead to real harm.

23. What we crave is only a clue to what we need. Take the hint and figure it out.

24. Never approach pattern and rhythm with expectation. The beat might go on, but we should meet it with gratitude and curiosity.

25. Go with your gut. Your reasons will become clear as you go.

26. Extend your hand, even if it is metaphorically, and then jump in wholeheartedly when you can.

27. What drives you can’t be analyzed in a blood test or prescribed by your primary care provider.

28. Freedom might not be within everyone’s immediate purview, but it is still everyone’s right.

29. Our doubts are limiting; our creativity is limitless.

30. Swallowing whole risks permanent damage. Take small bites.

31. Moderation can help you avoid death, but it can also tempt you to avoid living.

32. Write like you know your topic, and you might discover that you do.

33. If we got everything we ever wanted, we’d be bored—and probably broke(n).

34. If we walked the walk all the time, we might be happier, but we’d still have to catch a ride home.

35. Negotiation isn’t compromise, and neither word deserves a negative connotation.

36. Finding the heart of the matter can break as well as mend.

37. “Go fast and break things” can leave everyone confused and unhappy.

38. It’s ok to leap, and it’s okay to let that leap change you.

39. We are only as tall as our greatest joy.

40. Finally, here is my plea for 2026: In a world full of Claudes, be a Victor from Minneapolis.

Thistle-Tomes ends, again, with flora that refuses to be ornamental. The thistle survives where conditions are harsh, holds its ground without apology, and blooms anyway. It symbolizes resilience and also discernment; its spines protect what matters.

Often dismissed as a weed, the thistle quietly sustains pollinators, offering nourishment where little else will grow. That balance—guarded yet generous, stubborn yet sustaining—mirrors the work of thoughtful communicators. We defend clarity, standards, and ethics, while leaving room for curiosity, learning, and connection.

These aphorisms, like thistles, are offered in that same spirit: not as decoration, but as steady nourishment for the work—and the year—ahead.

Happy New Year!

Image by Frauke Riether from Pixabay.