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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by emily on August 21, 2000, at 16:37:13
The idea of listing favorite self-help books reminded me that I gain a great deal of perspective from thunderstorms--anything in nature, really, that reminds me how powerless we are in the Big Picture. It is somehow comforting--a release of responsibility to save the world alone, a sense that doing the best I can do today is not only enough--it's all that I *can* do...
Any other thoughts on what gives us perspective, a sense of comfort, or a sense of a bigger picture???
P.S. Thanks, gritslad, for the idea.
Posted by Cam W. on August 22, 2000, at 0:28:25
In reply to perspective, posted by emily on August 21, 2000, at 16:37:13
> Any other thoughts on what gives us perspective, a sense of comfort, or a sense of a bigger picture???
>reflection?
- Cam
Posted by shar on August 22, 2000, at 2:26:38
In reply to Re: perspective » emily, posted by Cam W. on August 22, 2000, at 0:28:25
I love it when there is a big thunderstorm, or a volcano goes, or tornadoes, or hurricanes, or tsunamis. Nature is the most imperturbable and powerful force I can think of. (Needless to say, I do not love the results of storms etc. in which people can be hurt!)
I always find it amusing when people are at work on a way to "control nature," and I really dislike it when people anthropomorphize nature--the angry storm or punishing weather, etc. Like nature has thought this out, and decided to "unleash her vengeance" on the town of Abilene with a tornado. And if someone is hurt they are "her victim."
That's why I liked Jurassic Park so much. It chronicles humans and our arrogance ("we have every detail covered") while showing us what just one little thing here, and one little thing there, can make happen; not with vengeance but just because that is how it goes. Chaos theory again, and the unpredictability all around us. And, if you apply that on a global scale to nuclear reactors, genetic fooling around, etc. I think we are just asking for it!
Oh well-I just get excited over the ultimate power. I know just where I stand with Ma Nature, and she's not in a harness.
Shar
>
> > Any other thoughts on what gives us perspective, a sense of comfort, or a sense of a bigger picture???
> >
>
> reflection?
> - Cam
Posted by Greg on August 22, 2000, at 6:59:34
In reply to perspective, posted by emily on August 21, 2000, at 16:37:13
Emily,
The birth of a child gives me perspective. I've seen all my children being born, and while it was a joyful and happy time, it was incredibly humbling and awe inspiring. The ability to assist in creating a life, the law of nature at it's finest!
Greg
> The idea of listing favorite self-help books reminded me that I gain a great deal of perspective from thunderstorms--anything in nature, really, that reminds me how powerless we are in the Big Picture. It is somehow comforting--a release of responsibility to save the world alone, a sense that doing the best I can do today is not only enough--it's all that I *can* do...
>
> Any other thoughts on what gives us perspective, a sense of comfort, or a sense of a bigger picture???
>
> P.S. Thanks, gritslad, for the idea.
Posted by CarolAnn on August 22, 2000, at 9:38:24
In reply to perspective, posted by emily on August 21, 2000, at 16:37:13
Serendipity gives me perspective. When things happen that are so coincidental or so 'exactly what was needed', that you can't help but feel it was 'meant to be'. There have been times in my life when I KNOW that a prayer was answered, no doubt in my mind at all. Now, I'm not a super religious person, and I have no patience for religious dogma, but I do believe in a higher power or creator who exists as a being we can 'talk' to. I think that the mistake people make is confusing praying with wishing. Instead of praying for something specific to happen, I pray for the knowledge of how to deal with whatever does happen. And I am very aware sometimes, that I have gotten an answer to a prayer, but have chosen to ignore it 'cause I didn't like the answer, in which case the trouble that follows is my own fault.
I like learning stuff like this about myself and the way my 'reality' works. It has also become apparent to me that God has an incredibly scatalogical sense of humour. Why else would our bodies make so many embarassing noises, odors, and such, especially at the most inopportune times? Just some perspective pondering! CarolAnn
Posted by Jena Lyn on August 22, 2000, at 14:32:35
In reply to perspective, posted by emily on August 21, 2000, at 16:37:13
> The idea of listing favorite self-help books reminded me that I gain a great deal of perspective from thunderstorms--anything in nature, really, that reminds me how powerless we are in the Big Picture. It is somehow comforting--a release of responsibility to save the world alone, a sense that doing the best I can do today is not only enough--it's all that I *can* do...
>
> Any other thoughts on what gives us perspective, a sense of comfort, or a sense of a bigger picture???
>
> P.S. Thanks, gritslad, for the idea.Perspective...I can definitely relate. I love to look at the stars...to just stare up at the sky and see the thousands of stars, and just wonder if we look as small to them as they look to us? How the things that seem SO earth shattering and important to me have no meaning to them at all. In the grand sheme of everything, at the end of it all, the judgement if you will, it won't matter whether or not I had the perfect job or the perfect friends or the perfect size 6...so what will matter? Its very hard to put things into perspective when the world seems to be crashing down around you...but just try to think about the bigger picture...it may help =)
Luv and sunshine...Jena
Posted by emily on August 22, 2000, at 16:03:07
In reply to Re: perspective, posted by Jena Lyn on August 22, 2000, at 14:32:35
thanks for the thoughts! i feel like i'm finding more hope just by
seeing what's beautiful to other people.emily
Posted by Cass on August 22, 2000, at 19:22:24
In reply to Re: perspective, posted by emily on August 22, 2000, at 16:03:07
Emily, You named a big one for me. We rarely get thunderstorms in this area, but when we do, I feel an intoxicating sense of peace. It truly does feel good to be reminded that there is something out there larger/more powerful than yourself (as long as its not destructive). Another thing that gives me a sense of perspective is my dog. She is overjoyed by simple things, like walks, and she loves me unconditionally. Simple goodness and pleasures put things in perspective too.
Posted by tina on August 22, 2000, at 22:55:33
In reply to Re: perspective, posted by Cass on August 22, 2000, at 19:22:24
Em: Tonight I was just driving down the road and right there in the middle of the sky in front of me was a rainbow. A perfect ribbon of colour against a grey background. I had to pull over and just look.
Very inspiring. Nature does have her moments.
Tina
Posted by stjames on August 26, 2000, at 3:04:29
In reply to perspective, posted by emily on August 21, 2000, at 16:37:13
> Any other thoughts on what gives us perspective, a sense of comfort, or a sense of a bigger picture???James here....
Can't answer for "us" but for me I would say: Chaos
Theory, existentialisim, Stephen Hawlkins, occasional
psychedelics.James
Posted by paul on August 29, 2000, at 23:20:11
In reply to perspective, posted by emily on August 21, 2000, at 16:37:13
the entire raisin for moofing to coloraddy was exactly this. there's just no way in hell i can stuff a mountain-or even a piece of one-into my brain. i see them, they don't give two s---s that i exist, i walk along mountain trails amazed and cleansed of the idiotic belief that if i suddenly disappeared it would matter in the least. can't get this kind of freedom from a postcard-i have to look the bloody gigantic shattering things right in the eye and THEN i fit in better.
p(c(l))
Posted by Abby on October 7, 2000, at 1:14:49
In reply to Re: perspective, posted by CarolAnn on August 22, 2000, at 9:38:24
> Serendipity gives me perspective. When things happen that are so coincidental or so 'exactly what was needed', that you can't help but feel it was 'meant to be'. There have been times in my life when I KNOW that a prayer was answered, no doubt in my mind at all. Now, I'm not a super religious person, and I have no patience for religious dogma, but I do believe in a higher power or creator who exists as a being we can 'talk' to. I think that the mistake people make is confusing praying with wishing. Instead of praying for something specific to happen, I pray for the knowledge of how to deal with whatever does happen. And I am very aware sometimes, that I have gotten an answer to a prayer, but have chosen to ignore it 'cause I didn't like the answer, in which case the trouble that follows is my own fault.
> I like learning stuff like this about myself and the way my 'reality' works. It has also become apparent to me that God has an incredibly scatalogical sense of humour. Why else would our bodies make so many embarassing noises, odors, and such, especially at the most inopportune times? Just some perspective pondering! CarolAnn
It's funny that you said that about prayer, because I'm reminded of the sections in St. Paul's writings about how we are strongest when we know our own weakness and that we can not do it alone. He talks about the power of Christ, but I think you could say that community like the one here at babble helps as well.Abby
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