My friend, indeed, the more I grow in womanhood, the larger the contradictions loom. There is a certain peace that comes from completely acknowledging them, as though if they are lived in long enough, the dichotomy becomes a lived truth instead of an intellectual struggle. Your voice helps cut through the dissonance. Thank you for sharing this personal and poignant piece.
I'm in synch with everything you wrote, but I would emphasize one word in the following.
.
Any normal child knows that in a game—whether we’re dealing with sports or board games or imaginary play—rules are important. It is essential to play by the established rules in order to have fun. When players violate the rules, the game falls apart and no fun is had by anyone.
.
The word I would emphasize is "normal".
Sometimes, when one or more players violate the rules they don't spoil the game for everyone.
Rule-breakers spoil the party/game/fun for *almost* everyone, but often they don't spoil the fun for themselves, at least not until the game degenerates or becomes unplayable due to the reactions of the rule-compliant players.
My guess is that, in their early stages, some rule-breakers make a decision to change and to play by the rules after making a determination that they value the respect of the other players more highly than they value the relatively short-term in-game benefits they get from breaking the game rules.
Some rule-breakers evolve their game-play to energetically "pushing the envelope" of what is an allowable interpretation of the rules...some of this group become lawyers.
Still others evolve their game-play to include tactics of cheating & lying...some of those become politicians or tycoons.
Some don't evolve to any significant degree and continue until they are ostracized by their peers or worse, become withdrawn and resentful, planning their revenge one victim at a time.
.
Catherine Austin Fitts is big on getting to know one's local sheriff.
It sounds like you are tough enough and more than fair.
Hopefully, your little Robin Hood and her oversized sister will continue to realize that they are quite lucky to live in your jurisdiction. :-)
My friend, indeed, the more I grow in womanhood, the larger the contradictions loom. There is a certain peace that comes from completely acknowledging them, as though if they are lived in long enough, the dichotomy becomes a lived truth instead of an intellectual struggle. Your voice helps cut through the dissonance. Thank you for sharing this personal and poignant piece.
Thank you, dearest. You are one of the people who have given me so much wisdom over the years...
Hi Anais...a pleasure to read you again
I'm in synch with everything you wrote, but I would emphasize one word in the following.
.
Any normal child knows that in a game—whether we’re dealing with sports or board games or imaginary play—rules are important. It is essential to play by the established rules in order to have fun. When players violate the rules, the game falls apart and no fun is had by anyone.
.
The word I would emphasize is "normal".
Sometimes, when one or more players violate the rules they don't spoil the game for everyone.
Rule-breakers spoil the party/game/fun for *almost* everyone, but often they don't spoil the fun for themselves, at least not until the game degenerates or becomes unplayable due to the reactions of the rule-compliant players.
My guess is that, in their early stages, some rule-breakers make a decision to change and to play by the rules after making a determination that they value the respect of the other players more highly than they value the relatively short-term in-game benefits they get from breaking the game rules.
Some rule-breakers evolve their game-play to energetically "pushing the envelope" of what is an allowable interpretation of the rules...some of this group become lawyers.
Still others evolve their game-play to include tactics of cheating & lying...some of those become politicians or tycoons.
Some don't evolve to any significant degree and continue until they are ostracized by their peers or worse, become withdrawn and resentful, planning their revenge one victim at a time.
.
Catherine Austin Fitts is big on getting to know one's local sheriff.
It sounds like you are tough enough and more than fair.
Hopefully, your little Robin Hood and her oversized sister will continue to realize that they are quite lucky to live in your jurisdiction. :-)
Your comments are always a delight to read. Thank you for this! I'm so grateful for your insight and attention.
You are so infinitely beautiful. my dear! Your articles are a joy. And that photo of your little one is perfect. :)
You are so kind, dearest Tessa. And you are an inspiration.