Comments on: Writer (repost from 2005) http://www.woodka.com/2009/11/25/writer/ Changing places is one way of Changing Mind. -- Michael Garofalo Fri, 12 Mar 2010 22:54:55 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Donna http://www.woodka.com/2009/11/25/writer/comment-page-1/#comment-64 Donna Thu, 09 Jun 2005 18:53:42 +0000 http://www.woodka.com/2005/06/08/writer/#comment-64 Yes, Nickie, I understand that feeling. I lost one of my dear friends when I called her on her gossiping, sadly only after it became personal because she was gossiping about me. Now I only wish I had called her on it sooner, although it might have ended our friendship earlier. Funny that I was the one person she could tak to about serious matters and problems, since she knew I wouldn't share her problems with others. People are afraid of really <em>connecting<em> at a deeper level with other people. Instead they turn to movies or television or books for deeper thought, and those become more real to them than life itself. My friend was very involved, still is, in a book discussion group. I think it was the only place she allowed herself to think more deeply. I think the key with people is to look for "teachable moments", as they call them in the parenting books - those times when peopel are receptive to deeper ideas. Sometimes it is just planting the seed for something that comes to fruition later. Most people can tune in easily to the superficial things, so it's a comfortable level of conversation for them. If you are tuned in to deeper things, it becomes uncomfortable to always walk in the shallow water when you would rather be swimming. But not everyone is a good swimmer, so they wade and chatter. Or, as a friend used to put it, "a walk through the ocean of most souls would scarcely get your feet wet", which I think he got from National Lampoon's Deteriorata. Yes, Nickie, I understand that feeling. I lost one of my dear friends when I called her on her gossiping, sadly only after it became personal because she was gossiping about me. Now I only wish I had called her on it sooner, although it might have ended our friendship earlier. Funny that I was the one person she could tak to about serious matters and problems, since she knew I wouldn’t share her problems with others.

People are afraid of really connecting at a deeper level with other people. Instead they turn to movies or television or books for deeper thought, and those become more real to them than life itself. My friend was very involved, still is, in a book discussion group. I think it was the only place she allowed herself to think more deeply.

I think the key with people is to look for “teachable moments”, as they call them in the parenting books – those times when peopel are receptive to deeper ideas. Sometimes it is just planting the seed for something that comes to fruition later.

Most people can tune in easily to the superficial things, so it’s a comfortable level of conversation for them. If you are tuned in to deeper things, it becomes uncomfortable to always walk in the shallow water when you would rather be swimming. But not everyone is a good swimmer, so they wade and chatter. Or, as a friend used to put it, “a walk through the ocean of most souls would scarcely get your feet wet”, which I think he got from National Lampoon’s Deteriorata.

]]> By: Nickie http://www.woodka.com/2009/11/25/writer/comment-page-1/#comment-63 Nickie Thu, 09 Jun 2005 17:04:40 +0000 http://www.woodka.com/2005/06/08/writer/#comment-63 Each day that I pull up your wonderful words I feel like we are walking the same path. Granted, I'm here, you're there...but it is through your writing that the connection is made. Today, you have really touched on something. I have stopped being in groups where I just can't seem to get comfortable with the "banter"...and it has given me the reputation of being anti-social. Why? Because I really find nothing interesting in who is seeing who or where they will be vacationing next, etc. If I bring up a world problem or a political matter, perhaps trying to get folks interested in writing our senators to encourage a bill that needs passing, I get readily dismissed. I think people are just plain afraid of really talking. It takes no courage to "small talk". I've just gotten really sick of it. Each day that I pull up your wonderful words I feel like we are walking the same path. Granted, I’m here, you’re there…but it is through your writing that the connection is made. Today, you have really touched on something. I have stopped being in groups where I just can’t seem to get comfortable with the “banter”…and it has given me the reputation of being anti-social. Why? Because I really find nothing interesting in who is seeing who or where they will be vacationing next, etc. If I bring up a world problem or a political matter, perhaps trying to get folks interested in writing our senators to encourage a bill that needs passing, I get readily dismissed. I think people are just plain afraid of really talking. It takes no courage to “small talk”. I’ve just gotten really sick of it.

]]> By: Mark Thoma http://www.woodka.com/2009/11/25/writer/comment-page-1/#comment-62 Mark Thoma Thu, 09 Jun 2005 05:14:55 +0000 http://www.woodka.com/2005/06/08/writer/#comment-62 I need to get a hat like that. I'm thinking if I wrote wearing it in a very public place, I'd be less self self-conscious and able to get out what's inside without the sub-conscious filter that worry over what others will think of you, and your writing, brings about. I get butterflies every single time I post or even comment as I'm sure that it will be the post that convinces everyone what an idiot I really am! I need to get a hat like that. I’m thinking if I wrote wearing it in a very public place, I’d be less self self-conscious and able to get out what’s inside without the sub-conscious filter that worry over what others will think of you, and your writing, brings about. I get butterflies every single time I post or even comment as I’m sure that it will be the post that convinces everyone what an idiot I really am!

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