Posted by noa on February 15, 2003, at 15:45:21
In reply to Re: Yes, that is a great metaphor. Thanks! » noa, posted by bozeman on February 14, 2003, at 23:22:06
Wow. That was quite a day!!
But I was struck by how much support you offered to other people (and animals) all in one day!! And although you sound a bit frazzled by the intensity and length of the day (and week), it sounds like you enjoyed helping others.
I admire that, although should ask you if you are other-oriented at the expense of taking care of yourself?
Still, I had just been thinking the past few days about how self-oriented I have become over the months (and years, perhaps, but it has been worse lately). Not egotistical or anything, but my inertia has got me living in my own little bubble and not connecting with other people (other than on this board, but here, there isn't the regular rhythm and synchrony of in person interactions).
I've forgotten to call several friends who have left me phone messages. I have not done any community service in the longest time. I have limited my few social outings to those with one friend, and once in a blue moon, at someone else's initiative, I'll go out with a bunch of people. But mostly, I veg here by myself.
It isn't good for me. I can feel it. I feel bored and empty, really. I need to do more to reach out and be more social.
It is this lazy habit I've developed. And it has also led to my dysfunctional home life. My place is a terrible mess, and most of the time, I try to numb myself to it, and not notice. But once in a while, I let myself notice and it is rather overwhelming. I ask myself, "how am I living this way?" And the thing is, it is a new place that I bought last year, and put money into renovating--you'd think that would make me better at keeping it nice!
BTW, Bozeman, are you a mostly visual learner? Several times you mention "out of sight, out of mind", and the like.
But back to your original question about how moods can be so absolutely influential on our thinking. It's true. I really think the brain functions differently, and moods affect the pathways of cognition.
poster:noa
thread:2464
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20030203/msgs/200738.html