Board index › Topical Discussion › Politics, Philosophy, and Religion

Right Thinking

Page 3 of 3 [ 37 posts ]  Go to page Previous  1, 2, 3

Previous topic | Next topic

spdjeanne
Deinonychus
Deinonychus

User avatar

Joined: 15 May 2007
Age: 46
Gender: Female
Posts: 390
Location: Earth

24 Nov 2007, 6:25 pm

vandire wrote:
spdjeanne wrote:
vandire wrote:
spdjeanne wrote:
I don't think it is impossible for a person to both think that their choices are good and also be humble about them. I mean, we can't just avoid making choices.


It isn't impossible, it just seems to be rare. To be honest it's something I have difficulty with myself.


It is so rare! Unfortunately, I cannot claim to be a member of that rare group either. I think I get more arrogant about my personal choices and beliefs when I make them essential to my identity. It is only then that I start to take arguments against my choices and beliefs personally and get really really defensive.


That sounds about right. The problem is, if you don't consider your personal choices important to your identity then it's hard to have a very strong self image at all.


Yeah, it seems like my beliefs and choices are so inextricably tied to my identity that it is impossible not to take someone challenging them personally. I guess the solution is to just take myself less seriously. After all who am I that I should know what is true or untrue?



vandire
Sea Gull
Sea Gull

User avatar

Joined: 27 Mar 2007
Age: 39
Gender: Male
Posts: 201

24 Nov 2007, 6:28 pm

spdjeanne wrote:
Yeah, it seems like my beliefs and choices are so inextricably tied to my identity that it is impossible not to take someone challenging them personally. I guess the solution is to just take myself less seriously. After all who am I that I should know what is true or untrue?


That's probably the best way forward. It just kinda sucks that it's such a difficult way forward. Still, *insert generic and incredibly cliche overused phrase here*.



spdjeanne
Deinonychus
Deinonychus

User avatar

Joined: 15 May 2007
Age: 46
Gender: Female
Posts: 390
Location: Earth

24 Nov 2007, 6:30 pm

vandire wrote:
spdjeanne wrote:
Yeah, it seems like my beliefs and choices are so inextricably tied to my identity that it is impossible not to take someone challenging them personally. I guess the solution is to just take myself less seriously. After all who am I that I should know what is true or untrue?


That's probably the best way forward. It just kinda sucks that it's such a difficult way forward. Still, *insert generic and incredibly cliche overused phrase here*.


It is just so hard to take myself lightly and at the same time have any semblance of self-esteem. The only times I take myself lightly are when I'm completely depressed. Arrg! :(



vandire
Sea Gull
Sea Gull

User avatar

Joined: 27 Mar 2007
Age: 39
Gender: Male
Posts: 201

24 Nov 2007, 6:33 pm

Observationally, the people who best pull off taking themselves lightly are those who derive their self esteem from other matters - bonds, humour, affection of others, all outside sources reaffirming that they're valuable.

This is, though, just a roundabout way of saying I have no idea how to pull it off either.



spdjeanne
Deinonychus
Deinonychus

User avatar

Joined: 15 May 2007
Age: 46
Gender: Female
Posts: 390
Location: Earth

24 Nov 2007, 6:39 pm

vandire wrote:
Observationally, the people who best pull off taking themselves lightly are those who derive their self esteem from other matters - bonds, humour, affection of others, all outside sources reaffirming that they're valuable.

This is, though, just a roundabout way of saying I have no idea how to pull it off either.


I guess for me the outside sources haven't been a very reliable source of affirmation, but I can see why deriving self-esteem from that instead of the uniqueness of my beliefs would contribute to my being able to both take myself lightly and at the same time be happy.