Thank you! It kind of comes and goes I’ve noticed. Sometimes it feels more intense, sometimes not so much.
I didn’t wanna continue cluttering up her log, but I think you’re spot on and I applaud you for occasionally checking in to make sure people, myself included, chill out with the dogpile from time to time. Not that you need validation, just letting you know I appreciate your perspective on stuff, especially the type of stuff that most of us can’t wrap our heads around.
3 Likes
Thank you! I appreciate it very much. That’s really the only thing I can do is just offer insight. I’ve dedicated my career path to understanding things like that, so I at least try to offer compassion around here. We’re all in this community together anyways. I feel quite comfortable here to be vulnerable, as do others, and I think she’s entitled to feeling that way as well. I figured offering some kind of positive reinforcement lays way to her maybe eventually being able to bring up these things she’s dealing with. Not for us, but for herself.
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Thanks for that. By all means I know you were defending but I tried going through her thread to get context and maybe I havent read enough to know her issues etc
You can always just politely ask. She’s quite smart and fairly approachable
Well praying for a permanent gone!
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LOG # 562
2 rounds
LOG # 563
Squat:
295x5
295x5
295x5
295x5
295x5
295x5
295x5
295x5
Leg press:
Single leg, each leg:
225x10
225x10
225x10
Both legs:
315x20
315x20
315x20
Push press:
Just the bar x 10
90x5
115x5
120x3
135x2
Power Cleans:
145x3
145x3
145x3
145x3
145x3
Push ups:
To failure:
x10
x10
x10
x10
x7
x7
x5
x5
x5
RDLs:
70lbs
x15 3 second, slow tempo upon upward lift
x15
x15 3 second slow tempo
x15
V-ups:
x15
x20
x15
x20
DB glute bridges:
2 second hold @ top
45lbs
x20
x20
x20
x20
Lots of volume today. Took maybe 2 hours tops.
4 Likes
My mom and I had a pretty good discussion about life. In particular the viewpoints on life. I’ve met many folks who support the indifferent universe type of viewpoint. Ergo= the universe just being. There’s no rhyme or reason. We don’t exist purposefully…by any means. Then the viewpoint on cosmic design, creationism, etc.
I made a point about why I personally believe what I believe in, but I made it a point to stress to my mom why we should understand others viewpoints who believe the opposite, or just something different.
I think it’s easier to believe we live in a universe with no purpose. That the cosmos is this giant mass of a thing that cares not that you exist within it. Why? Because that calls for the individual to make their own sense of purpose. One that fits their emotional and mental reality, and provides some base level of comfort, until the day they die.
On the contrary I think belief in define purpose calls for a realization that yes. There’s purpose. There’s meaning. Within this large, vast, powerful universe, we such small beings, are just as, even more so, important than the cosmos that holds us. However, with the recognition of purpose, comes a truth in which such purpose does not line up with our own interests, or our own purpose we’ve made for ourselves. So you mean there’s purpose? But it’s a purpose that isn’t tailored to my specific wants and needs? Yes.
All ontological arguments aside, I was talking to my mom from a place of emotional/mental undertones. Say I discuss this with someone who’s very heavily grounded in the sciences. From Darwinism, to Mathematical theories, and everything else in between. I however come from a background that’s different. Well where’s the middle ground? Do we have anything in common? Yup. We’ve both got emotional and mental mechanisms that run damn near identically as far as human stuff goes.
Well then let’s build on that. Okay…so where do we start? In my opinion? Get personal. Speaking objectively kind of has its limits when talking about how someone feels about something. Sure a subject can be true. By way of time, space, and matter…but what about such things that aren’t influenced all that much by such forces? Me and hypothetical person both agree that gravity exists. It works. Without fail, for that matter. But me and hypothetical person both have different viewpoints about possessing a soul, if it’s eternal, if it goes somewhere, or anywhere for that matter. Let alone where the universe began, who made it, etc.
Be that as it may, how do we feel about it? That’s why I suggest getting personal. It provides approachable ways to share it with someone who, understandably, doesn’t think nor operate the way I do. And I expect someone to approach me the same way. It’s not to persuade, just to share. Acceptance doesn’t need to be had, but understanding should, and dare I say, must be had.
Having said that, what does that have to do with what I said at the very beginning? A lot. Importance of whatever perceived truths we have, is only important because we deem it to be, and usually, broader truths that strike similarities with our own wants tend to be accepted easily and readily. I’m not talking about things concerning scientific truths, more so, moral questions, existential questions, etc.
I think things like solipsism, nihilism, etc. are easy to accept. They operate in such a way where, the individual can then tailor them in a way that makes sense according to their wants and needs, after they’ve been faced with its introduction. But what about optimism? Philanthropy? These things, I think…can become difficult to want to accept after some time because it no longer involves just own our wants, or needs. It calls for the adoption of wants and needs other than our own.
And that’s my whole point I was making to my mom about more…grand-scale thinking. There’s purpose. Life has meaning…it just doesn’t have…a meaning we’d like to think. It’s purpose isn’t meant to soothe our wants and needs. It can…usually it does, but I think that happens once someone accepts that their center of self, and perception of control does to some extent…not matter. I have a friend who I enjoy talking to. She holds atheistic viewpoints, but I remember one day she was congratulating me. She said something akin to: “I applaud you and your belief. You believe in a Supreme being, one powerful enough that causes you to be insignificant. Think about it. The Bible mentions regularly to reject oneself. To believe in something that upfront tells you to extent, to get over yourself. I get in my feelings when family members tell me to do that. You believe in a system that works just fine without you. While I can’t say I believe in such a system, I think it’s interesting that you step outside of yourself to make sense of it.”
And I had to agree with her on that. My feelings get hurt a lot, believing and living such a lifestyle. But I think it’s good that that happens. I realize I’m apart of a collective. I may be a perceived “cog” or “gear” within a larger mechanism by others, but I’m more than that. I’m a necessity, in such that my existence is meant to exhalt and declare, but such declaration isn’t for me.
These are just my thoughts though. If it strikes interest please jump in and share yours.
2 Likes
Hey, I love your and your mom’s conversation!
I have one point to share: humans are both social and solitary creatures. They need both social interaction — and therefore an ability to get along with others, both within and outside their own kinship groups — as well as time to themselves. Taking care of their own interests is a prerequisite for getting along with others because if you can’t feed yourself (in terms of meeting your basic needs), for example, you can’t help feed someone else too.
I think it’s interesting that U.S.-Americans as a culture tend to be fairly devoutly religious, whereas much of the rest of Western culture (whatever that term means) is becoming increasingly secular. And I think the reason for this is that the U.S.-American culture is highly individualistic, with a strong focus on personal freedom and personal responsibility.
This emphasis makes it necessary for people to take care of themselves first, and makes it perhaps more likely that they will do so at the expense of others. So a strong socio-cultural emphasis on collectivistic religious practices makes it possible to temper these individualistic tendencies by providing an awareness of the necessity for — as you paraphrased your friend — getting over yourself.
You see the same thing in many Latin countries, where the strongly communitarian Catholic practices serve as a social antidote to the relatively grim, daily dog-eat-dog social realities. We’re slowly seeing the same thing in Eastern cultures as well, as they begin to take on increasingly individualistic social values.
Many northern European, and particularly Scandinavian, countries, by contrast, tend to have a more collectivist culture founded on greater social co-operation rather than primarily individualistic competition for resources to begin with, and so they have the socio-cultural “space” or “freedom” (if you prefer) to be more secular in their personal lives: since my society has helped take care of me, once I’ve helped take care of it, I can now take more time to care for my own needs. That is to say, self-actualization of the individual is built on a foundation of social support.
I’m not sure if these observations make any sense, or are helpful, but they are what came to mind when I read your posting.
All the best,
Chris
2 Likes
Thank you! Thanks for coming in here as well!
Absolutely! If I may ask, when you say this, we’re talking in terms of social context yeah? I’m just asking so I can get my half of the conversation following the flow.
I definitely agree about these aspects in the context of like societal workings. I also agree we humans are social creatures. I think, for sake of conversation may I ask where the tie in for the social part you said here comes in?
Can I ask what you think would be a cause for such observation? And by that I mean why you personally note individualistic behavior amongst US society?
For me I think it goes back to the European exploration of the now present day U.S. territory. I guess with the notion of wanting to leave to new territory, you’ve got feelings like independence, personal responsibility, etc.
Again…absolutely most definitely. If I may ask again, can I ask for some more insight in terms on what you think causes such socio-cultural occurrences? I know it’s partially due to the social aspect we need as humans, but then I’d also like to ask what prompts you to view humans in such a way? I’m not asking to offer criticism, I’m just wanting to know what you think, how you make sense of it, etc. me asking is just information for me as a person.
Can I also ask for more information on this as well? I’m lacking in the social studies department due to me just not doing studying in that.
Thanks for sharing that. I appreciate the explanation because it’s definitely given me information by of hearing from someone who comes from a society such as that. Care to share more about that? At least how it is socially where you live?
This is me going on a tangent part:
Since were delving into the more social aspects of things, I’d like to bring up my own personal viewpoints as far as me being in the U.S. And this comes from someone being of African descent.
I think it’s all odd really. (Gonna use the word black people in place of African Americans, because I’m not the most politically correct person in the world lol). I think black people in general feel displaced. Given the history of America I understand why. I’m gonna spare going into detail by way of all the little parts that make up the whole as to the question why, but a broader “why”, in my opinion is because either someone or a group of someone’s said to make it THAT MUCH of a negative to the point where it leeches in and kind of muddles black people’s sense of purpose.
And by purpose I mean societal purpose. Someone popped the question that provoked a specific answer by way of asking for an answer in a…negative sense. A negative question is what I mean to say. Negative question could be: My ancestors help build certain aspects of this society by way of slavery…why would I want to be apart of such a society?
So you mentioning individualistic characteristics of the U.S. kind of sparked that tangent that I went off on lol.
They don’t all make sense to me just yet, but not because of anything by way of you doing anything wrong, I think I just need to ask for a different word choice as all. I get where you’re coming from overall though. As far as getting into deep detail I don’t mind if we do. I encourage it anyways.
Same for you as well though. There’s a few points I don’t think I used the right word for either. I do genuinely appreciate the conversation though.
LOG # 564
5 mile walk
Hi there!
For the sake of brevity, I’ll try to answer all of your great questions at once:
Your conversation with your mom called to mind a relatively simple idea for me, which is that in places where there is strong social support together with relatively high value placed on individualism, we seem to be finding increasing secularity. Whereas in places where there is relatively low social support and a relatively high value placed on individualism, we seem to be finding steady or increasing religious observance or orthodoxy. I’m talking mostly about conventional Western cultures (again, whatever that means) and religions (ditto). There are, of course, also places where there is a strong emphasis on collective religious conformity . . .
I’m thinking that the cause for this lies in the tightrope every person must walk between the desire to fulfil his or her wishes, and his or her acknowledgement of social responsibility. Both sides of this equation are shades of grey, either brighter or darker, depending on the individual and the environment.
In environments where people are forced to rely more heavily on their own achievements and less on social support, there seems to be a corresponding emphasis through religious practice of connecting with something greater than yourself — out of simple social necessity, to avoid becoming completely self-absorbed — or to “get over yourself”, as you put it. Whereas in environments where people have strong social support, they have the psychological (personal) and sociological (social) “space” to define their own secular selves, without the need for a deity (or set of deities), or even the concept of feeling connected to a universe to define their values or give them purpose; the social support in their environment gives them that connection anyway. It seems counter-intuitive, but I think this might be how it works.
I think you’re absolutely right about the U.S.’s history as a pioneering, “self-made” nation forming a significant part of the foundation for these cultural characteristics.
Chris
1 Like
Ahhh okay no I get it. I don’t think I was drawing the connections correctly. But yes absolutely, I’d agree.
Gotcha. Would it be okay if I agreed by way of like calling it equilibrium I guess? Would that be applicable?
I can see that as well. I can’t say I’m fully in support of, or fully disagree, but I think maybe there’s more mechanisms, or maybe a different, more propelling mechanism, that isn’t really influenced one way or another by societal means/influences? In my opinion that is.
As I kind of feel the same way for this point as well
Actually I think that’s pretty straightforward. Makes sense to me at least.
I think it would be nice if these forces were in equilibrium, but I think they rarely are. Often, I think we tend to sacrifice the interests of one side for the sake of the other — we either sit on our own impulses for the sake of our social responsibility, either because we’re worried about what others will think, or because we’re waiting for someone else to give us permission for what we want to do, or because we’re waiting for someone to blaze a trail so we know it’s safe. And at other times, we say to ourselves, “to hell with what everyone else wants, I’m doing what I want this time!” even if it conflicts (to a greater or lesser degree) with the interests of our social group. You can observe these characteristics beautifully in action whenever you’re driving . . .
You may well be right!
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I’ll be sure to reply a bit more in depth come tomorrow. Pretty tuckered out for tonight.
LOG # 656
30 mile bike ride.
This one was not so good. About halfway in I got attacked by wasps, and stung 6 separate times. 2 in the back, 3 in the butt, and one on my right leg. The trails I go to have a crap ton of Great Black wasps.
Hubby wasn’t really helping because at first he didn’t believe me, then he straight up saw the little things darting at me. The last 15 miles were me just having small prolonged bouts of anxiety and he’s just like “you’ll be fine”. 
Easy for him to say. He’s not getting messed with every couple of miles.
I’m not sure what caused them to come after me and not my husband, but the only thing we could think of was that the fruit snacks I had were possibly attracting them. I had a different bag with me, and I had the snacks right in the front netting. So it was out and open and possibly attracting them. Could also explain that to be the reason since it was my first time getting stung THAT much, I usually don’t bring sweet snacks, and I usually don’t have them out and in the open like that.
Needless to say I was not happy.
I actually agree as well. Perhaps the percentage that manages to find equilibrium is extremely small. I could theorize as to what causes a lack of unbalance, but maybe it’s not all that important once the cause has been found. Going about the “fixing” part may be more important in the grande scheme of things.
And goodness yes! Don’t even get me started on driving. I’ve made it a point to completely re-think how I feel about driving, and my perspective on driving. Now I don’t mind it, get less frustrated, less inclined to speed, etc.
Sorry to hear about the wasp attack on your bike-ride. That sounds horrible and frustrating! Fortunately, the stings should heal relatively quickly.
That’s the journey of life. 
This usually comes naturally with age, too. As we gather life experience, we become calmer about a lot of things.
1 Like