Comparison is inevitable, and it can be good or bad. Bad, in that it can lead to jealousy. Good, in that it can also mean inspiration and catharsis. We think about the nuances of comparison, and discover that Betty (my dog) is a dog celebrity.

We consider the importance of routine, and the way that a satisfying structure can give your life meaning and purpose. But does a routine mean we can't enjoy the beauty of each moment as it deserves? Includes a reading from The Philosopher and the Wolf (2008), by Mark Rowlands.

We consider if Oscar Wilde was right to assert that 'All art is quite useless', or if there are uses for art such as fiction writing - to be uplifting, perhaps, or to provide escapism. Quote from The Picture of Dorian Gray (1890) by Oscar Wilde: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/174/174-h/174-h.htm

Jealousy, envy, is part of any creative pursuit. There will always be others who have the success you're looking for. The trick is not to let envy wear away at you and compromise your work. Quote from Othello III.iii

Writing is a cerebral process, but that doesn't mean that physical fitness is irrelevant. We think about the connection between creativity and bodily exercise, especially when it comes to discipline and the avoidance of malaise. Haruki Murakami interview in Der Spiegel (2008): https://www.spiegel.de/international/world/spiegel-interview-with-haruki-murakami-when-i-run-i-am-in-a-peaceful-place-a-536608.html