Xan wrote: ↑Sun Jul 05, 2020 9:59 am
I don't think there's any greater way to say "you matter; you can do things" than to say that it is your duty to protect and defend the women and children in your life, even to the point of your own death.
That's an interesting way of looking at it, Xan, but it's implicit in that line of thinking that mens' lives are more expendable, and women and children are more worthy of saving.
That doesn't mean it's not honorable to give your life to save others. But to say that I matter because I can choose to drown instead of someone else doesn't sound very empowering to me (other than indicating I have control over what to do with my life and when/whether to give it, which at least indicates I have free will!)
I disagree with the assumption that the person who gives up his life for another is less valued. I think it's quite the opposite. Look at Christ, for example.
Of course that is the entre for these (famous) Bible Verses:
12This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. 13There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
Vinny
Above provided by: Vinny, who always says: "I only regret that I have but one lap to give to my cats." AND "I'm a more-is-more person."
Mark Leavy wrote: ↑Mon Jul 06, 2020 11:12 pm
Let's pull this thread back to Smith just being a guy that can look himself in the mirror in the morning and say "Man! I look good!"
That really is all that it's about. How do you wake up in the morning happy with your life?
Emerson, Whitman, Jordan, Newton?
A gal that gives you a wink?
A horse that knows just a bit more than you?
An old man with a Mexican lottery ticket?
The world is full of teachers. We just have to pay attention.
Mark
Indeed, we must primarily pay attention to the teacher, not just a teacher.
John 12:25 (ESV) Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
Meaning: Idolatrous love of self brings a person under God's judgement. "hates his life": Semitic idiom indicating preference; the opposite of sinful self-adulation.
DNA has its own language (code), and language requires intelligence. There is no known mechanism by which matter can give birth to information, let alone language. It is unreasonable to believe the world could have happened by chance.
Smithy, if you're really looking for a father-ish figure, Peterson is a good start. One that you can talk to and get to know, and who can get to know you, would be even better. This looks like a good church and part of the pastor's job is to be a kind of father figure. I guarantee he won't shy away from telling men that they're important. https://www.vancouverlutheran.org/
Smithy, if you're really looking for a father-ish figure, Peterson is a good start. One that you can talk to and get to know, and who can get to know you, would be even better. This looks like a good church and part of the pastor's job is to be a kind of father figure. I guarantee he won't shy away from telling men that they're important. https://www.vancouverlutheran.org/
+1 If you can find a man with principles and lives by them, go for it.
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Smithy, if you're really looking for a father-ish figure, Peterson is a good start. One that you can talk to and get to know, and who can get to know you, would be even better. This looks like a good church and part of the pastor's job is to be a kind of father figure. I guarantee he won't shy away from telling men that they're important. https://www.vancouverlutheran.org/
Thanks for the interview, Xan. I will listen to this on my drive this evening.
As for the church, it's funny, I was just chatting with a friend over dinner the other day about exploring churches in the area. Serendipity! Thanks for the recommend.
Smith1776 wrote: ↑Tue Jul 07, 2020 5:35 pmAs for the church, it's funny, I was just chatting with a friend over dinner the other day about exploring churches in the area. Serendipity! Thanks for the recommend.
Cool! It's just a shame they've had to put Pint Night on hiatus because of the virus.
Going back to what Mark mentioned, the world is indeed full of wise and experienced figures. We can call them teachers, father figures, or whatever it may be. I'd say there's a "big 4" for me that are strongly influencing my life currently.
- Jordan Peterson (as mentioned): through various speeches and his book "12 Rules for Life" speech compilation
- Ray Dalio: his book "Principles" and his various YouTube videos on how to navigate life are all excellent. Principles for Success
- Tony Robbins: his books don't quite resonate with me, but his speeches are second to none. Robbins breaks down the elements of success
- Arnold Schwarzenegger: amazing speeches in his own right. "Speech That Broke The Internet"
(Internally I can't help pronounce but pronounce "Schwarzenegger" as "Schwarz 'n' egger", and then I start craving breakfast food.)
I swear, there are no Rick Rolls in any of the links above this time.
dualstow wrote: ↑Mon Jul 06, 2020 5:50 am
I’m glad you like ‘12 Rules’, Smith. I got the hardcover when it came out, was all excited about it, posted about it here, and got only negative feedback. Not “this guy sucks” but more “not impressed” and a sprinkling of, “he’s a plagiarist.” He almost certainly does borrow from smarter, more original thinkers and he doesn’t get everything right, but I just found the book very digestible, and I wish I had read something like it at your age.
Really? Even here? I find that rather surprising. I would have thought this crowd would be quite taken with his work.
In terms of popular opinion these days I really don't understand why he gets as much flak as he does. As for him being a "plagiarist" I personally see his work as just being well sourced and backed up.
I, too, find his work very practical and implementable. That's more important to me than a bunch of highfalutin jibber jabber. The one thing I admire about him most is his willingness to publicly stand up against the wave of political correctness espoused by the left.
"There's 40 genders so far and more are coming!!!! GET READY."
"Ummmm. No. And here's why."
Love it.
FWIW, I searched high and low for the posts using both advanced search and google with site:{this forum} but to no avail. <shrug>
Smith1776 wrote: ↑Tue Jul 07, 2020 6:13 pm
Going back to what Mark mentioned, the world is indeed full of wise and experienced figures. We can call them teachers, father figures, or whatever it may be. I'd say there's a "big 4" for me that are strongly influencing my life currently.
- Jordan Peterson (as mentioned): through various speeches and his book "12 Rules for Life" speech compilation
- Ray Dalio: his book "Principles" and his various YouTube videos on how to navigate life are all excellent. Principles for Success
- Tony Robbins: his books don't quite resonate with me, but his speeches are second to none. Robbins breaks down the elements of success
- Arnold Schwarzenegger: amazing speeches in his own right. "Speech That Broke The Internet"
(Internally I can't help pronounce but pronounce "Schwarzenegger" as "Schwarz 'n' egger", and then I start craving breakfast food.)
I swear, there are no Rick Rolls in any of the links above this time.
www.allterraininvesting.com 
