a few questions, if it's ok, nicrap and fj, feel free to contribute... 1. why is adolescence such hell? 2. why (after finally making it out of adolescence) turn around and have babies, which guarantees that we will have to basically go through adolesence (theirs) again. 3. what is the point to all of this? 4. when will anyone admit that there is no perfect parent, and that sometimes nothing is enough? 5. again, what is the point to all of this? 6. i know that life is about beauty, etc...yadda yadda, and we have to affirm and choose life...BUT. sometimes it's too much. sometimes the negativity is just so overwhelming. and then, , just when i want to dig a hole and jump in, my youngest walks in . and i am in love again,. and then i hope, i pray , that i don't weigh her down \with my neediness.
feel free to share a little hope...or something good. life affirming. i am an empty vessel. :p
from the Jowett summary of Plato's "Lysis" (On Friendship)
The Dialogue consists of two scenes or conversations which seem to have no relation to each other. The first is a conversation between Socrates and Lysis, who, like Charmides, is an Athenian youth of noble descent and of great beauty, goodness, and intelligence: this is carried on in the absence of Menexenus, who is called away to take part in a sacrifice. Socrates asks Lysis whether his father and mother do not love him very much? 'To be sure they do.' 'Then of course they allow him to do exactly as he likes.' 'Of course not: the very slaves have more liberty than he has.' 'But how is this?' 'The reason is that he is not old enough.' 'No; the real reason is that he is not wise enough: for are there not some things which he is allowed to do, although he is not allowed to do others?' 'Yes, because he knows them, and does not know the others.' This leads to the conclusion that all men everywhere will trust him in what he knows, but not in what he does not know; for in such matters he will be unprofitable to them, and do them no good. And no one will love him, if he does them no good; and he can only do them good by knowledge; and as he is still without knowledge, he can have as yet no conceit of knowledge. In this manner Socrates reads a lesson to Hippothales, the foolish lover of Lysis, respecting the style of conversation which he should address to his beloved.
I just think that you judge yourself to too high a standard. If your kids are even halfway decent people, you've done a fantastic job raising them! Especially in today's A.D.D. society!
They're all good kids...they're all very different from one another, and two are VASTLY different from me. I guess it's always just a balancing act, and you know I'm not known for having great balance. :p
ps. sorry for the late response. We went camping this last weekend in my camper! I bought a little pop-up last month and I couldn't wait to take it out. It's so cute. I love it!
@nicrap. No worries. If you get a chance, you might want to check in on NG. She could probably use a little encouragement at what seems a new "low" point in her life.
There are no easy answers to the questions raised, really. ----
I know. It was one of those weeks when I felt like I was drowning. I can lose perspective so quickly when things aren't going well. And honestly, the questions I posed are the wrong questions to begin with.
Thanks nicrap. She seems to be feeling very alone at a time when she's experiencing some serious health issues (I suspect breast cancer from her "Frankenstein" characterizations).
23 comments:
a few questions, if it's ok, nicrap and fj, feel free to contribute...
1. why is adolescence such hell?
2. why (after finally making it out of adolescence) turn around and have babies, which guarantees that we will have to basically go through adolesence (theirs) again.
3. what is the point to all of this?
4. when will anyone admit that there is no perfect parent, and that sometimes nothing is enough?
5. again, what is the point to all of this?
6. i know that life is about beauty, etc...yadda yadda, and we have to affirm and choose life...BUT. sometimes it's too much. sometimes the negativity is just so overwhelming.
and then, , just when i want to dig a hole and jump in, my youngest walks in . and i am in love again,.
and then i hope, i pray , that i don't weigh her down \with my neediness.
feel free to share a little hope...or something good. life affirming. i am an empty vessel. :p
p.s. summer sucks
I'm a bit worn out myself this evenning, but I'll ponder your queries overnight and likely fail to come up with some pasable answers in the morning...
nite!
well, no pressure. they're mostly rhetorical anyway. human behaviour just is what it is.
i'm just tired in every way possible.
it's one of those times when i'm going to have to decide to take care of myself and find joy.
Yes rhetorical, but not uninteresting...
from the Jowett summary of Plato's "Lysis" (On Friendship)
The Dialogue consists of two scenes or conversations which seem to have no relation to each other. The first is a conversation between Socrates and Lysis, who, like Charmides, is an Athenian youth of noble descent and of great beauty, goodness, and intelligence: this is carried on in the absence of Menexenus, who is called away to take part in a sacrifice. Socrates asks Lysis whether his father and mother do not love him very much? 'To be sure they do.' 'Then of course they allow him to do exactly as he likes.' 'Of course not: the very slaves have more liberty than he has.' 'But how is this?' 'The reason is that he is not old enough.' 'No; the real reason is that he is not wise enough: for are there not some things which he is allowed to do, although he is not allowed to do others?' 'Yes, because he knows them, and does not know the others.' This leads to the conclusion that all men everywhere will trust him in what he knows, but not in what he does not know; for in such matters he will be unprofitable to them, and do them no good. And no one will love him, if he does them no good; and he can only do them good by knowledge; and as he is still without knowledge, he can have as yet no conceit of knowledge. In this manner Socrates reads a lesson to Hippothales, the foolish lover of Lysis, respecting the style of conversation which he should address to his beloved.
...and on the lighter side, you're just a bad mom! ;)
Yes, well, try telling a 16 year old who knows everything that she must wait for wisdom. ;-)
Bad mom...yes. I like that idea quite a bit!
:-)
I just think that you judge yourself to too high a standard. If your kids are even halfway decent people, you've done a fantastic job raising them! Especially in today's A.D.D. society!
They're all good kids...they're all very different from one another, and two are VASTLY different from me. I guess it's always just a balancing act, and you know I'm not known for having great balance. :p
ps. sorry for the late response. We went camping this last weekend in my camper! I bought a little pop-up last month and I couldn't wait to take it out. It's so cute. I love it!
:)
Life's ALL in the framing... ;)
You're a good egg.
You're a good egg.
:P
Sorry guys, didn't see it until now.
There are no easy answers to the questions raised, really.
@nicrap. No worries. If you get a chance, you might want to check in on NG. She could probably use a little encouragement at what seems a new "low" point in her life.
Oh. Oky. Thanks for telling. I will definitely look in.
There are no easy answers to the questions raised, really.
----
I know. It was one of those weeks when I felt like I was drowning. I can lose perspective so quickly when things aren't going well. And honestly, the questions I posed are the wrong questions to begin with.
:p
You are not alone in it JEn. My sister's kids are here with me these days, and i am asking the same questions myself. :)
Thanks nicrap. She seems to be feeling very alone at a time when she's experiencing some serious health issues (I suspect breast cancer from her "Frankenstein" characterizations).
I believe so, too. Thanks for telling once again. You were good to do so.
No problemo. Thanks for helping to clarify.
I love that you're spending so much time with your nieces. I hope they drive you crazy! ;-)
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