I like the progression and I am interested in what you updated from the original material. I come from a large family and liking children wasn't a given and caring for my younger siblings was a weighty obligation. It wasn't until I attended University and Psychology courses that I discovered the unique qualities of child development. Babysitting was a chore I would have rathered give the parent money to leave me alone ☺️ Once I discovered the value of fun and play over disapline when engaging with children everything changed! I started seeing those little ones as little people, and was endlessly fascinated by the way they interacted. I have observed that men start with fun and women disapline in terms of spending time with children. Fun rules! Children are wonderfully honest, playful and deeply compassionate and to be invited into their world is a great privilege. The friendship bits made me sad because I have had very few real friendships if any. I nurture myself more now and don't take on so much of others 'stuff' My greatest wish is to find my home and still have time for real friendships.
Very interesting, De. Several key insights in your comment here. I genuinely hope you'll develop some meaningful and lasting friendships throughout the rest of your life.
Thanks Mike for reposting this gift. We have to be reminded from time to time about the importance of developing and maintaining our friendships. They are the glue that makes our social and personal life fulfilling. I have recently reconnected with my school friends far away. It has been a most joyful and youthful experience. It is like we never stopped being friends. Friendships are also healing, encouraging as well as challenging. I love my friends! Francisco.
Indeed, this piece is reaching for the ideal in friendship. It doesn't take into account, however, the location and marital shifts that separate friends, possibly forever. It mentions how elders are more comfortable with being critical of others, but sometimes it can get really nasty when hard-felt beliefs are challenged. I've experience several breakups just based on voting for the wrong person. Elder women's friendship were hardly mentioned. That's a very strange area indeed. The queens bees and wannabe dynamic of teenage girls becomes even more intense and God forbid a woman should ever stand up to the queen bee without being ostracized from the group. There are several areas where this piece steps around the struggles of individualists, people who desire friendship, but not at the expense of losing their integrity to mob rule. This happens at any age. It's great to reach for the ideal. This is a template for that ideal. I look forward to reading what others comment here.
I like the progression and I am interested in what you updated from the original material. I come from a large family and liking children wasn't a given and caring for my younger siblings was a weighty obligation. It wasn't until I attended University and Psychology courses that I discovered the unique qualities of child development. Babysitting was a chore I would have rathered give the parent money to leave me alone ☺️ Once I discovered the value of fun and play over disapline when engaging with children everything changed! I started seeing those little ones as little people, and was endlessly fascinated by the way they interacted. I have observed that men start with fun and women disapline in terms of spending time with children. Fun rules! Children are wonderfully honest, playful and deeply compassionate and to be invited into their world is a great privilege. The friendship bits made me sad because I have had very few real friendships if any. I nurture myself more now and don't take on so much of others 'stuff' My greatest wish is to find my home and still have time for real friendships.
Very interesting, De. Several key insights in your comment here. I genuinely hope you'll develop some meaningful and lasting friendships throughout the rest of your life.
To find writing again has been a great accomplishment and joy. I truly value all interactions I have had with the writers here.
The networking and interaction among us writers on Substack is a beautiful thing.
Thanks Mike for reposting this gift. We have to be reminded from time to time about the importance of developing and maintaining our friendships. They are the glue that makes our social and personal life fulfilling. I have recently reconnected with my school friends far away. It has been a most joyful and youthful experience. It is like we never stopped being friends. Friendships are also healing, encouraging as well as challenging. I love my friends! Francisco.
Thanks, Francisco. And thanks for adding this bit of wisdom.
Indeed, this piece is reaching for the ideal in friendship. It doesn't take into account, however, the location and marital shifts that separate friends, possibly forever. It mentions how elders are more comfortable with being critical of others, but sometimes it can get really nasty when hard-felt beliefs are challenged. I've experience several breakups just based on voting for the wrong person. Elder women's friendship were hardly mentioned. That's a very strange area indeed. The queens bees and wannabe dynamic of teenage girls becomes even more intense and God forbid a woman should ever stand up to the queen bee without being ostracized from the group. There are several areas where this piece steps around the struggles of individualists, people who desire friendship, but not at the expense of losing their integrity to mob rule. This happens at any age. It's great to reach for the ideal. This is a template for that ideal. I look forward to reading what others comment here.
A good dose of realism, Sue.