Candy from a strangereriolgalAugust 2 2006, 04:25:17 UTC
Usually, I tend to be a bit leery of comments that start with either "I don't know you very well, but I think...." or "Forgive me if I overstep my bounds, but....". Today, however, I find it necessary to do both. In fairly rapid succession, even.
Forgive me if I overstep my bounds, Paul. I don't know you very well, but it has become apparent from my months of lurking your LJ that you are, among other things, an incredibly smart, talented, and all-around swell individual. However, like many other exceedingly gifted minds, you tend to second-guess yourself. It's your Achilles' Heel, I suspect. Have faith, though. (Did you know doubting your own capacity for success is a sign of intellectual aptitude? It's true -- those in the lower end of the IQ spectrum never worry about matters like that, they always just assume that they'll be perfectly happy where they are. Well, sometimes it's easiest to take lessons from both ends of the spectrum, be it up or down.)
And those who would scorn you for your major in Philosophy/English? Ignore them. Although many contributions can be attributed to math and science, it's always the philosophers who spearhead any new form of production. Plus, in today's world, ideas are the new currency. Hell, computers can do complicated equations in the blink of an eye, but without ideas....momentary sparks of creativity, we would all be lost.
However, that's just the analytical approach. Beyond the practical applications, you enjoy English and Philosophy. You've been given a chance to engross yourself in two subjects that fascinate you, and you have studied diligently. Really, if that's not admirable, what is? Personally, I just wish we all could be so lucky.
However, I digress. It was an Asian philosopher (I think? That's admittedly far more your area than mine) who said "Be happy in this moment, for this moment is your life." Life's too short to second-guess things you can't gauge. You've done what you've thought is best, and no one can begrudge you that. Move forward from here to the best of your ability. (Which, I think, should be more than sufficient. You're really headed places, whether you see so or not. Sometimes it's easier to see things from the outside in.)
May you find the strength you seek within yourself.
Well, thank you. Judging from the intelligence and thorough reasoning of your comment, I think I'd be glad to know you.
I think I lack some essential self-assuredness to take your advice completely, though I do agree with you for the most part. I keep giving myself the same lines of reasoning. There's just a lot of pressure to do the practical thing, to join the hive. And as much as I despise most popular trends, I can't shake the feeling that those who play the game and jump through the hoops might have it right after all. Fighting seems futile.
Forgive me if I overstep my bounds, Paul. I don't know you very well, but it has become apparent from my months of lurking your LJ that you are, among other things, an incredibly smart, talented, and all-around swell individual. However, like many other exceedingly gifted minds, you tend to second-guess yourself. It's your Achilles' Heel, I suspect. Have faith, though. (Did you know doubting your own capacity for success is a sign of intellectual aptitude? It's true -- those in the lower end of the IQ spectrum never worry about matters like that, they always just assume that they'll be perfectly happy where they are. Well, sometimes it's easiest to take lessons from both ends of the spectrum, be it up or down.)
And those who would scorn you for your major in Philosophy/English? Ignore them. Although many contributions can be attributed to math and science, it's always the philosophers who spearhead any new form of production. Plus, in today's world, ideas are the new currency. Hell, computers can do complicated equations in the blink of an eye, but without ideas....momentary sparks of creativity, we would all be lost.
However, that's just the analytical approach. Beyond the practical applications, you enjoy English and Philosophy. You've been given a chance to engross yourself in two subjects that fascinate you, and you have studied diligently. Really, if that's not admirable, what is? Personally, I just wish we all could be so lucky.
However, I digress. It was an Asian philosopher (I think? That's admittedly far more your area than mine) who said "Be happy in this moment, for this moment is your life." Life's too short to second-guess things you can't gauge. You've done what you've thought is best, and no one can begrudge you that. Move forward from here to the best of your ability. (Which, I think, should be more than sufficient. You're really headed places, whether you see so or not. Sometimes it's easier to see things from the outside in.)
May you find the strength you seek within yourself.
~Laura
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And not just because you're a friend of Imran's, either.
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I think I lack some essential self-assuredness to take your advice completely, though I do agree with you for the most part. I keep giving myself the same lines of reasoning. There's just a lot of pressure to do the practical thing, to join the hive. And as much as I despise most popular trends, I can't shake the feeling that those who play the game and jump through the hoops might have it right after all. Fighting seems futile.
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