stlnsmile Posted July 15, 2008 Posted July 15, 2008 I'll bite I don't know that I've ever really dreamed of doing anything in particular. In fact, that's one of the challenges I've faced. If I had a passion, you better believe I'd follow it to the end of the world, doggedly, but I haven't been blessed with such a passion. BUT, Recently, I developed this urge to go out to the sand dunes for a week by myself and go camping. Not quite a survival man kinda thing, but just me, the world, my journal, and God. No distractions, no people, just solitude. I have a lot of spare time, but I tend to fill it with movies, the internet, people, whatever. It's really difficult to just be alone. But that is something I want to do. Meditation, reflection, time with God......those are all things that are important. I could go on an on about those things...but I won't here. But it strengthens us in a way that nothing else can be substituted for. And probably the most lofty of ideals and persuits. The most important.
Author ianandris Posted July 15, 2008 Author Posted July 15, 2008 You sound exactly like me:) And don't get too high of an opinion of yourself Ian, humble is good. Cocky is not, I think just a good feeling about yourself....but not cocky. Agreed. Cockiness is just another way that insecurities are masked. My goal is to get to the point where I can honestly appreciate people for who they are, rather than how they make me feel. I want to be social, and kind, and gracious, and confident, not for any other reason than because it is the way that I am. There's no way to get there if I'm being cocky and dismissive. Humility is the capacity to learn. Cockiness precludes your ability to learn from other people. It's an easy trap to fall into, though, when you're trying to put yourself out there when you don't particularly want to. Flattered that I made it to your short list, too. You were on mine, as well.
stlnsmile Posted July 15, 2008 Posted July 15, 2008 Agreed. Cockiness is just another way that insecurities are masked. My goal is to get to the point where I can honestly appreciate people for who they are, rather than how they make me feel. I want to be social, and kind, and gracious, and confident, not for any other reason than because it is the way that I am. There's no way to get there if I'm being cocky and dismissive. Humility is the capacity to learn. Cockiness precludes your ability to learn from other people. It's an easy trap to fall into, though, when you're trying to put yourself out there when you don't particularly want to. Flattered that I made it to your short list, too. You were on mine, as well. Wohoooo....yay! Wow.....a humble guy......now that is a novel concept:) Wonder if we will ever get to the point where we don't feel insecure at all any more? I think we all tend to go through "Perfectly Perfect" syndrome when we are broken up with...we have to be this or that or the other thing with people so they will like us etc....but I know for sure I never did that before....I just liked my life. Boy I want to get back to that place where I just really really like my life. I think you do too. I think we give too much Ian.......I think we get stripped bare, and I think it takes a long time to be built back.
Author ianandris Posted July 15, 2008 Author Posted July 15, 2008 Meditation, reflection, time with God......those are all things that are important. I could go on an on about those things...but I won't here. But it strengthens us in a way that nothing else can be substituted for. And probably the most lofty of ideals and persuits. The most important. Essential, I think. See, that's where my mind is, most of the time. That's why I'm a political science major, that's why I'm in the military. I figure I can do more good for more people in that capacity than any other capacity right now. Thing is, it's not about lofty ideals themselves, it's about how those ideals impact every day life. One of my goals in life is to have a family. I want to be a dad someday. I want to be the kind of dad that his sons can look to as an example of what it means to be a man. I want to embody those lofty ideals. I want to provide for my family. I want to protect my family. I want to show my sons and daughters how to be noble, and honorable, and just. I want to be wise. I want to be strong, but not in an artificial, flashy way. I want to be kind for the virtue of it. I want to be honest, faithful, true. I want to set them up right, to enable them to face the challenges of living in a conflicted world, to give them bearing. I want them to be able to turn to me for counsel. But, most of all, I want them to feel completely accepted for who they are, regardless of what they choose to do. But I can't do any of those things for them if I'm not there yet myself.
Author ianandris Posted July 15, 2008 Author Posted July 15, 2008 Wohoooo....yay! Wow.....a humble guy......now that is a novel concept:) Wonder if we will ever get to the point where we don't feel insecure at all any more? I think we all tend to go through "Perfectly Perfect" syndrome when we are broken up with...we have to be this or that or the other thing with people so they will like us etc....but I know for sure I never did that before....I just liked my life. Boy I want to get back to that place where I just really really like my life. I think you do too. I think we give too much Ian.......I think we get stripped bare, and I think it takes a long time to be built back. I think we gave too much for the wrong reasons. We gave so that we would receive. A gift given with ulterior motive isn't really a gift, so when we didn't get what we expected in return, we were drained. We need to get to the point where we give because we have abundance, not because we feel like it's a way to get our needs filled. I'm totally on the same page about liking life, though. I want to get back, too. I do like my life, I don't love it, though.
stlnsmile Posted July 15, 2008 Posted July 15, 2008 Essential, I think. See, that's where my mind is, most of the time. That's why I'm a political science major, that's why I'm in the military. I figure I can do more good for more people in that capacity than any other capacity right now. Thing is, it's not about lofty ideals themselves, it's about how those ideals impact every day life. One of my goals in life is to have a family. I want to be a dad someday. I want to be the kind of dad that his sons can look to as an example of what it means to be a man. I want to embody those lofty ideals. I want to provide for my family. I want to protect my family. I want to show my sons and daughters how to be noble, and honorable, and just. I want to be wise. I want to be strong, but not in an artificial, flashy way. I want to be kind for the virtue of it. I want to be honest, faithful, true. I want to set them up right, to enable them to face the challenges of living in a conflicted world, to give them bearing. I want them to be able to turn to me for counsel. But, most of all, I want them to feel completely accepted for who they are, regardless of what they choose to do. But I can't do any of those things for them if I'm not there yet myself. Yes, yes, yes.......and there is only one way to get there, and I think you will Ian. I have different goals.....you probably know them......but this is my focus....and I think since you are focused in the right direction you will definately get to the place you should be. Majorly censored:)
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