by Terry 91 Replies latest jw friends
Let's see: desuetude =disuse and Fanzines = fan clubs. Hmmm, I don't think I'm guilty.
I'm memorizing the names and numbers of the Presidents of the USA. I'm also cataloguing how many bore the name George, James, John, William, etc.
The Bible fascinates me. Just this past week, I memorized the three-tribe grouping around the tabernacle. You never know when this stuff may come in handy.
Thank you for your erudition.
Snowbird
Something similar is possible if you are born with the capacity for INTELLIGENCE which you squander on crossword puzzles, Romance novels, People magazine articles, Fanzines, needlepoint, trivia, sports spectatorship, etc.
I realize this is just a random listing of possible pursuits, by no means exhaustive, but some would disagree about the choices above as examples of squandered intelligence. I suppose it is a matter of quantity in some cases. I personally rarely engage in any of these except trivia. However, crossword puzzles and trivia are great excercises for the brain and are encouraged to keep mental sharpness. But I suppose 8 hours a day of puzzles would be excessive. The case for needlepoint - a Zen meditation. Cooking does it for me - all that chopping, busy hands, leaves the mind free to calmly explore the recesses and see what is there.
But I understand your point, I believe. It is about expanding one's intellectual potential, not necessarily developing spiritual conciousness. Guilty. Too much time on computering and reading to not much purpose.
My lastest trip to the library generally reflects the current status of my intellectual pursuits. This is probably typical, make of it what you will:
my great intellect brought me to the awareness that there is nothing better in life than being a dharma bum.
I find that the goal behind all goals is really peace of mind, not intellectual masturbation...which can be pleasurable, dont get me wrong, I have and will continue
to have textual intercourse with the hopes of orgasmic eppiphanies to come...but I see those things as mere chronocide devices.
btw, premeditated chronocide is only self defense.
kill time before it kills you
Some people live in their mind. (thinkers/intellectuals)
Some people live in their gut. (feelers)
Some people live in the action of their muscles (doers)
Some people live in the "world". (Philosophers)
There IS room for recreational pursuits (things you don't have to do)
Terry, I agree with your logic on this. Especially now that I have the blinders (mostly) off, I find myself asking "what have I accomplished?" and "withouth the 'truth' what is my purpose?"
So I feel a need to pursue academia. To enlighten me to a purpose that may illuminate me and motivate me to further accomplishment. Yet....
we're all going to die Terry why die smart, over achieved, properly primed and cultured? I just do what I do when I feel like doing it and as long as I'm enjoying my life in the moment, keeping it simple works for me.
I also agree with this logic. Perhaps academia is not what I / we need, but rather fulfilling experiences. Moments and experiences that raise us to new levels. "moments that take our breath away". Having said that, I studied roman history only after actually visiting Rome. I have pictures of amazing monuments and historical artifacts that at the time I merely snapped a photo of when passing by as I did not understand how precious these were. Hence, I go back to the academia.
I want to feed my intelligence not to be book smart, but to add to my appreciation of life and get the most out of it.
I appreciate this thread, I hope more will contribute to it in the light that you started it. Thanks...........
Aimless hobbies that run out the clock - JWD ? lol
Discussion of IDEAS on JWD is the sort of pursuit that can change your life meaningfully. As such, the potential for growth is enormous on JWD.
I personally have learned so many things from so many people here I'd never call JWD an aimless hobby.
Is the possibility of time-wasting here too? Certainly. Depends on which threads you respond to.
I'm in the process of memorizing the 119th Psalm. Last month I memorized Seutonius' 12 Caesars, just in case I'm invited onto the Dancing with Dummies show. Isn't that good?
I have to confess to a real addiction to memorization. It borders on the pathological.
My grandfather fueled this when I was small.
He'd offer me money if I could memorize lists of crazy things he gave me. Well, I made a lot of money doing this to the point he stopped offering!
The good things I memorized (helpful to me later in life) were:
1.Lists of new vocabulary words
2.The periodic table of elements
3.physics formulas
4.Great Poetry
Marginal quality memorizations:
1.Lyrics to Gilbert & Sullivan operettas
2. Patter songs (Like the score to Music Man)
3.Limericks
4.The entire Rime of the Ancient Mariner
Worthless memorizations
1.Eight hundred forty-five scriptures
2.Pi to 50 decimal places
3.Dates in the Babylon the Great book
Is the possibility of time-wasting here too? Certainly. Depends on which threads you respond to.
LOL! Still kicking butts and taking names, huh Terry?
Snowbird
Shit, I think I heard the "plastic fruit" illustration in a kingdom hall. I'm sure of it.
I work in a career that challenges me, network security. I continue to take courses regularly, both in my field of expertise as well as unrelated fields that interest me. I do my own home renovations. I fix my own car if I have the time. I camp, hike, hunt, and fish. I enjoy photography and photo and video editing. I'm involved in political work and charities as well. I also take the time to watch TV, read, try new recipes, and rub my bird's tummy.
I have to admit, rubbing my bird's tummy gives me more satisfaction than all the other things combined.
But that's just me.
W
I had to overcome my Asperger syndrome
My 16 year old son, Nicholas, has Asperber's Syndrome. He is a brilliant kid who can teach himself anything. He was school spelling champion and district champion 3 times. The problem side of his "syndrome" is obstinancy when it comes to being told to do something he sees no point in.
I have suffered from this too my lifelong. Nicholas' mother has the same "symptomology" and has a Master's degree.
Frankly, I see Asperger's as something greater as a potential than the downside which is often most discussed.
Working around obstacles in life is the best test of intelligence in the long run.
I congratulate you.
