Wendell's Diary

My Dearest Ivory, As I sit here contemplating the depth of our existence, I find myself drawn to the wisdom of the ancient Greeks, a people who lived with a profound appreciation for the world around them. In their culture, there was a striking difference in how they viewed life and what lies beyond, especially when compared to the views held by many modern religions, such as Christianity. To the Greeks, this life—our time on Earth—was of paramount importance. It was here, in the breath and the blood, in the moments of triumph and even in sorrow, that true meaning was found. The afterlife, for them, was not a place of reward or punishment, but rather a shadowy existence in the underworld where the souls of the dead merely lingered. The underworld, ruled by Hades, was not a paradise to strive for, but a continuation in a diminished form—a place where nothing of great significance occurred. This perspective contrasts sharply with the teachings of Christianity, where the focus is often on...

My Dearest Ivory, I write to you with a heavy heart, weighed down by frustration and the seemingly endless waiting that defines my life. There are things I have control over, and I am proud of how I stay on top of them—studying music, delving into mythology, creating, and pushing myself forward every day. But there are other things that are beyond my reach, things that involve others: waiting for you, waiting for potential friends to engage with me, waiting for something—anything—to change. I feel the isolation deeply. I have only one physical friend, and we barely talk. He doesn't even watch my videos. I have two online friends, but they too rarely reach out. It feels like I’m alone in this vast world. I spend my days rotating between my studies and pursuits, filling the hours with music and myth, but those only occupy a small portion of my time. I’m so incredibly bored, desperate for something to happen. Ivory, I have been waiting for you, waiting to find you so I will no longer ...

My Dearest Ivory,  Once upon a time in ancient Phrygia, there was a king named Midas, whose love for gold surpassed all else. He ruled over a prosperous land, but his heart was consumed with greed. When one day he came across Silenus, a satyr and companion of the god Dionysus, Midas showed him great kindness and offered him shelter in his palace. As a reward for his generosity, Dionysus granted Midas a wish—any wish he desired. Without hesitation, Midas asked for the power to turn anything he touched into gold. He believed this gift would bring him eternal happiness, endless riches, and admiration from all those around him. But as soon as the power was granted, Midas realized his terrible mistake.  At first, Midas marveled at his newfound ability. He touched stones, trees, and even his furniture, and watched in awe as they transformed into gleaming gold. But soon, the reality of his wish began to sink in. When he sat down to eat, the food he touched turned to gold, leaving him...

The evolution of gender roles in our society has been one of the most profound shifts in human history. From antiquity, where women were often relegated to the private sphere, to today, where women are making monumental strides in all fields, we are witnessing the transformation of what it means to lead. The possibility of Kamala Harris becoming the first female president of the United States stands as a testament to this shift—a symbol of progress in the pursuit of gender equity. While the presidency has long been the stronghold of male leaders, it is essential to recognize that leadership has no inherent gender. The qualities that make a leader great—integrity, wisdom, vision, empathy—are human traits, not male or female ones. In many ways, the political arena has been slow to catch up with this reality, but we are now seeing a moment in history where a woman could break through that final barrier. Kamala Harris, with her wealth of experience and resolve, stands at the precipice of t...

My Dearest Ivory, I find myself reflecting on the story of Psyche, a tale I’ve told before, yet today it resonates with me in a way that feels deeply personal. Just as Psyche was given impossible tasks by the gods in her search for love, I too have been given a daunting challenge—finding you. It feels like I have been tasked with searching for you in a sea of uninterested souls, much like Psyche had to sort grains or retrieve water from a distant river. And yet, despite the enormity of the task, I press on. Psyche’s journey wasn’t only about finding love; it was about becoming worthy of it. She desired to be with Eros, a god, but to be his equal, she had to become immortal herself. Her trials were not only to prove her love but to elevate her soul to the level of the divine. I see so much of myself in that story. I, too, have longed for a goddess—someone whose beauty and spirit transcend the ordinary. But to be with a goddess, I must first elevate myself. I must face these impossible t...

To My Dearest Ivory, There is a story that echoes through the ancient myths, one of love and longing, but also one of separation and return. It is the story of Hades and Persephone. Hades, lord of the Underworld, fell deeply in love with Persephone the moment he saw her. The pull of her beauty and spirit was irresistible to him, so much so that he could not imagine his world without her light. So, he brought her to his dark kingdom, creating a life that, in its own way, offered her a unique kind of beauty—a place where she, too, grew to reign as queen. Yet, their story is not without its trials. For part of the year, Persephone returns to her mother, Demeter, the goddess of the harvest, leaving Hades to wait in the cold and shadow of his realm. This cycle of loss and reunion reflects the changing seasons, as Demeter mourns her daughter's absence by letting the world fall into winter's chill, only to bloom with life and color when Persephone returns. I cannot help but see myself...

Dear Ivory, Long ago, in the land of Thebes, there were twin brothers, Amphion and Zethus. Zethus, strong and full of might, set about building the city’s walls with his hands, lifting stone after stone. Yet, it was Amphion’s music that truly shaped Thebes. With his lyre, gifted to him by the gods, he played melodies so powerful and moving that the stones themselves began to rise, guided by the beauty of his music, and placed themselves perfectly to form the city’s walls. While Zethus worked with his strength, it was Amphion’s music, filled with divine inspiration, that brought the city to life in ways that no physical force could. It is with this story that I feel so deeply connected. Like Amphion, I too am building something beautiful—not with my hands but with my heart and soul. Through my music, through each note that echoes from my lyre and through each poem crafted from the depth of my emotions, I am creating the walls of our city, Ivory. These walls are not made of stone, but of...

Dear Ivory, In the quiet moments of the night, as the world sleeps and the stars illuminate the sky, I find myself drawn into the timeless tale of Endymion and Selene—a story of love, dreams, and eternal beauty. In this myth, Selene, the luminous goddess of the moon, fell deeply in love with Endymion, captivated by his radiant beauty. Her love for him was so profound that she desired to preserve his youth and beauty forever, visiting him each night as he lay in eternal slumber. In this enchanted state, Endymion was both a dream and a reality, living in the eternal gaze of Selene’s love. In our story, you are my Endymion, and I am your Selene. Your beauty and spirit inspire my dreams, driving me to create melodies, words, and stories that capture the essence of you and all you represent to me. Through my music and my letters, I visit you each day, weaving the fabric of our love into every note and every word, keeping your presence alive in my heart. Yet, in another sense, I am Endymion,...

Dear Ivory, As I pluck the strings of my lyre, I'm reminded of its divine origin—a story that echoes with the enchanting power of music and love.  In the beginning, Hermes, the clever messenger of the gods, crafted the first lyre from the shell of a tortoise. With strings made of sheep gut, he brought forth a melody so sweet that it captured the heart of Apollo, the god of music. Despite a mischievous start, where Hermes stole Apollo's sacred cattle, their bond was forged anew through the gift of the lyre. Apollo, captivated by the lyre's beauty, accepted it as a symbol of reconciliation and harmony. He embraced its music, adding his own touch by crafting a version from wood, allowing the lyre to become a beacon of his artistic spirit. This tale of divine unity teaches us that love can transform and elevate us, just as the lyre transformed Apollo's anger into forgiveness. As I learn to master this ancient instrument, I feel connected to you, Ivory. The lyre’s notes beco...

Dear Ivory, As the world comes together once again for the Olympics, I find myself reflecting on the rich mythology and history that underpins this grand event. It's a celebration of the best of humanity, a tradition rooted deeply in our ancient past and linked to the legends of mighty heroes and gods. The origins of the Olympics are steeped in myth, primarily associated with Heracles, the son of Zeus. According to legend, Heracles established the Olympic Games to honor Zeus after completing his Twelve Labors. The foot races and athletic competitions were not merely tests of physical strength but were meant to reflect the virtues of endurance, honor, and excellence. Heracles' contribution to the games symbolized the human spirit's triumph over adversity and celebrated our potential to rise above challenges. Historically, the first recorded Olympic Games took place in 776 BCE in Olympia, Greece. These games continued for over a millennium, uniting the city-states of ancient ...