(no subject)
One of the things to remember is that your strengths can weaken you. It's hard to remember this, of course. We may appreciate paradox in a theoretical context, but practical paradox does not sit well with us.
People cope. Resilient creatures that the hnau of this planet are, we find ways to adapt to situations we never imagined we would need to face. We convince ourselves that everything is okay (and I sit here typing this listening to my Launchcast station which just followed the Carpenters "Where Do I Go from Here?" with Kina's "Have a Cry"), things may be tough but we can deal with these little obstacles, we put one foot in front of the other even if we're not sure of the direction. ("Have a Cry" is followed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra doing a bit of Holst's Planets: "Venus, The Bringer of Peace.") Yeah, peace sounds good. Maybe if we adapt well enough, we find it. People cope.
I have this bad habit of resting just enough to be able to impersonate a healthy person for a while. Folks all around the neighborhood are impressed by how much walking I do; I get "Hey, power walker!" comments on a semi-regular basis. I have to walk where I need to go because I cannot drive. I have to spend hours in bed any day I need to walk. I can deal with hours sitting around at social services by sitting with my head below my knees to keep from passing out. I can deal with A by doing B and deal with C by doing D and deal all the way through the alphabet and impress people with my adaptability. (Jah Wobble's Invaders of the Heart, "Raga" from Take Me to God.) Resilience is a strength. I've adapted so well that it looks as if this lung infection never will go away unless some crisis forces me to rest. (Talking about my beleaguered lungs and now listening to a live version of the Police's "Every Breath You Take.")
What happens if I stop adapting? What is life like for those who refuse to cope? What happens if I have that crisis I've just managed to avoid? If I finally give in to my weakness, will I find a new strength?
("Images in Stone," eh?)
People cope. Resilient creatures that the hnau of this planet are, we find ways to adapt to situations we never imagined we would need to face. We convince ourselves that everything is okay (and I sit here typing this listening to my Launchcast station which just followed the Carpenters "Where Do I Go from Here?" with Kina's "Have a Cry"), things may be tough but we can deal with these little obstacles, we put one foot in front of the other even if we're not sure of the direction. ("Have a Cry" is followed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra doing a bit of Holst's Planets: "Venus, The Bringer of Peace.") Yeah, peace sounds good. Maybe if we adapt well enough, we find it. People cope.
I have this bad habit of resting just enough to be able to impersonate a healthy person for a while. Folks all around the neighborhood are impressed by how much walking I do; I get "Hey, power walker!" comments on a semi-regular basis. I have to walk where I need to go because I cannot drive. I have to spend hours in bed any day I need to walk. I can deal with hours sitting around at social services by sitting with my head below my knees to keep from passing out. I can deal with A by doing B and deal with C by doing D and deal all the way through the alphabet and impress people with my adaptability. (Jah Wobble's Invaders of the Heart, "Raga" from Take Me to God.) Resilience is a strength. I've adapted so well that it looks as if this lung infection never will go away unless some crisis forces me to rest. (Talking about my beleaguered lungs and now listening to a live version of the Police's "Every Breath You Take.")
What happens if I stop adapting? What is life like for those who refuse to cope? What happens if I have that crisis I've just managed to avoid? If I finally give in to my weakness, will I find a new strength?
("Images in Stone," eh?)