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Vashna
Toucan
Joined: Apr 20, 2008
Posts: 253
Location: Illinois
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 Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 2:03 am Post subject: Deeply Concerned |
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Please, I would rather not discuss politics. Rather, I am very deeply concerned about human suffering. The recent violence in Ossetia, between the Georgian Republic and the Russian Federation, has me feeling deeply saddened by the human suffering in that area. Regardless of who anyone is or who their alliance is to, they are still human beings.
I feel somehow that I have hurt the world myself. I was speaking with Mutanatiana about how I feel that my field of study, archaeology, may not be helping the world. He convinced me otherwise, but I always am stuck on the belief that I am actually hurting people as if my very being alive was taking away resources that should be for someone else.
Furthermore, I fear that I have not done enough for my country and for humanity. I am currently employed and in college, but somehow I feel like I can do more. Am I simply pressuring myself?
Thank you kindly in advance. |
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willem
Winner of 1 Aspiggie!!!
Joined: Apr 07, 2007
Posts: 1510
Location: Cascadia
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| Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 2:16 am Post subject: |
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Whom do you feel endebted to, and why?
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There is nothing that is uniquely and invariably human. |
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pineapple
Deinonychus
Joined: May 01, 2006
Age: 24
Posts: 380
Location: san francisco
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| Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 2:20 am Post subject: |
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Wow, you seem a lot like me. I worry too, about people being hurt and the state of the world. Sometimes my empathy is almost excessive, to the point of causing me pain. People say this makes me a good person, that "people like me" change the world, but that doesn't help. I remember seeing the film "Schindler's List" a long, long, time ago and at the end, Schindler is really upset because he thinks he could have done more, even though he saved the lives of many people. And from a viewer's perspective, that sort of seems ridiculous, because he actually made an effort to help people when most people did nothing. But I guess it goes to show that once you start trying to help, it's never enough. People who don't start trying in the first place usually aren't thinking that. Like, sometimes I feel like my life will be useless unless I try to solve pressing environmental problems. I feel like I have to work on the most important problems, and everything else is second-rate. But do I even have the ability to do that? I mean, I have a degree in theater. Sometimes I think that what I can do is enable other people to find solutions that I can't find. That could be a worthy contribution, too. I can't offer any advice, just commiseration. It makes me feel better to know I'm not the only one who feels this way. I know that multiple religions say some variation on "saving one person is like saving the world, destroying one person is like destroying the world". I don't know what views you subscribe to, but that kind of philosophy might take some of the pressure off. Saving one person is a lot easier than saving all of humanity.
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Go here, be asexy------> http://theonepercentclub.blogspot.com |
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i_wanna_blue
Deinonychus
Joined: Aug 10, 2008
Posts: 310
Location: Somewhere only I know
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| Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 5:34 am Post subject: |
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"To put the world right in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must first put the family in order; to put the family in order, we must first cultivate our personal life; we must first set our hearts right." CONFUCIUS
Sometimes I feel the same way, as if the plight of humanity is somehow my resposibilty to fix. Why I feel that way I dont know. Maybe its got something to do with the fact that up to now I have not figured a way to solve my own problems (related to possible AS). In a team sport the individual can only do his/her best and hope that his/her efforts have benefited the team, but one cannot take responsibilty for the actions of others- You can only do your bit.
I think the message is, if we all do our bit (as individuals) humanity at large will prosper.
I hope this helps |
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Vashna
Toucan
Joined: Apr 20, 2008
Posts: 253
Location: Illinois
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| Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2008 2:08 am Post subject: |
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| Thank you all very much. This really was a very helpful and insightful bit of writing, on all of your accounts. And I certainly have found no offense in the belief that there is one good deed to be done, etc. That is actually very useful advice. Again, I am indebted. |
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LabPet
Phoenix
Joined: Jan 05, 2007
Posts: 1803
Location: Alaska
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| Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 4:54 am Post subject: |
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I feel badly for ingratitude, which is seemingly pervasive. I feel concern for those who are homeless since they encounter a myriad of difficulties, most that are unknown to anyone but themselves. Where I live the winters are bitter cold (as in to minus 60) so the homeless are extraordinarily vulnerable. And amongst the most ignored, ironically.
I am basically apolitical but like the situation in Georgia is devastating on many levels. I remember feeling very disturbed by something I heard on the radio: Long (petty) diatribe about a bride's upcoming wedding with excessive flowers, as in thousands of dollars worth! These pretty fresh cut flowers, her only concern, will be dead in days and thrown away. For what? Just for her instant gratification and to show-off? I mean no disrespect to her; I do not even know this bride. But I had the sense of ennui; her flowers vs. helping those who have nothing, the homeless? Why could she not give instead of satisfying her sense of entitlement? She didn't even buy the flowers, they were a gift from her parents. To me, that's ingratitude.
Yes, the situation in Georgian Republic is greivous, especially relative to selfish wedding flowers - that's a personal sacrifice that could have been made....but was not. I am not a 'save the world' person, but like i_wanna_blue wrote, there are priorities!
Vashna - admirable qualities in you! Sometimes I study/research so intently and there is no end - ever. I love my research/academics, but I must find that balance too.
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same nightmare, different nap
Lab Pet, therapist slayer
Lab Pet's video: Autism is Synonymous with Science: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYelVlA7kDw |
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