TUESDAY, 13 APRIL 2004
Statement 1: Eventually many people become aware of the fact that the odds are loaded against them, and even if things turn out okay for them, there are masses of others for whom it will never turn out well. People are also aware of their above-average intelligence in the animal kingdom – which, among other things, means that they know how to end their own lives. Reasons why a person does not do it include lack of courage to jump in front of a train, concern for loved ones, or even vague ideas about what might happen to their “soul”. Measures are taken to start “making things worthwhile” …
Statement 2: To say that good things are not possible, is just not truthful.
Question … How much importance should one attach to your ideal vision of how things ought to be, your ideal place and living environment, and your ideal role in society? How much premium should one place on things that are “always possible”, if the fact that it is not in the process of becoming reality is depressing you more and more every day? Or is this the “devil” whispering discouragement in my ear? (13:16)
And answer: Why does one have these “ideal” visions? Is it because your current situation does not meet your needs?! Or perhaps because the long-term sustainability of your current life is all too possible, and all too horrible?! (13:20)
WEDNESDAY, 14 APRIL 2004
Is it me, or is it Environment Z?
Social identity is more important than I would sometimes like to admit. In the light of this it is appropriate to mention that I am not too comfortable in typical male bonding scenarios; I am not much of a “man’s man”.
Does it bother me? No, I just want to mention it because I thought about it, and I wanted to acknowledge it.
Also important is that if you do not handle this type of situation in the right way, it can lead to a lack of confidence and reduced self-esteem in the type of environment where it happens to be the standard, or the main criterion for esteem and respect.
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This can also be applied to a wider context. Personality Aspect X may not be one that defines you, or one with which you closely associate yourself, but this very personality aspect may be an important benchmark for respect in Environment Z. Because you do not carry a sufficient degree of X, you are not necessarily respected in that environment. It then becomes part of your self-perception in Environment Z, and it might lead to reduced self-esteem.
The secret? In Environment Q you may just be respected for precisely the absence of Personality Aspect X. So, it is quite probably a case of nothing inherently wrong with you, just with you in that particular environment.
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