I love that your wisdom to your children and grandchildren is that they really are the masters of their own fate and soul. That the world really is their oyster. There is so much that works against us, but we can almost always find a way around the obstacles if we look hard enough, try harder and are honest with ourselves about whether they're inside or outside of us.
Going to visit my grandmother in the memory clinic with my mom. I want closure for a loved one, my mom wants to preserve the memory of the last time we had fun together as a family, and this unhappy reunion threatens to replace that. This puts us fundamentally at odds. I’m happy to be there, wearing a dress and make up, mom is pouting, wearing shorts and a hoodie. I can’t help feeling like I’m the parent and she’s the child. I’m expecting my grandmother to be bed ridden and completely mute. We find Kay Kay (my name for her) up and about and she even makes conversation with mom and me. She doesn’t recognize either one of us. There is a gleam of recognition in her eye when I look her in the face and say, “hey Kay Kay.” On the way home my mom asks, “was it everything you were expecting?” I answer, “I was expecting it to be much worse, I was expecting chapter one of Ulysses.” She didn’t get it. 🙄
Aristotle had a useful answer (my phrasing) for this matter, tho he called it the Good Life: Achieve the full capacity of your abilities. To accomplish this, do the things that help you reach this goal and do not do the things that get in the way or lessen what you have already gained.
Many thoughts can go into understanding what are one's abilities, what things should I do to improve myself towards this goal, what things have I been doing, or might do, that lead the wrong way?
The original statement is rather simple, but thinking about those questions and the possible answers to them, choosing to act on them with integrity and doing that (often requiring support from others), is complex. Walking this path can indeed take one a long way to leading to a good and meaningful life.
"I'm not at all certain about the existence of God." I had no idea. I always thought you were a conservative Christian. You are still full of surprises! :) "I'm a recovering born-again Christian." Now that's interesting! I hope you will expand on what that means sometime. Glen, you have led an interesting and meaningful life, and no doubt will continue to do so. Thanks for sharing your thought provoking intellect with us, your audience, and now your personal self. You make our lives more meaningful. Happy Birthday!
I must watch the entire conversation; you two men are brilliant, insightful, fascinating. Glen, your comments on what you'd like your grandchildren to know about life, and your comments about reading books I find particularly thought-provoking. Your clarity and broadness of thought are always a delight; I learn something with every new video you put up.
Great discussion!
I love that your wisdom to your children and grandchildren is that they really are the masters of their own fate and soul. That the world really is their oyster. There is so much that works against us, but we can almost always find a way around the obstacles if we look hard enough, try harder and are honest with ourselves about whether they're inside or outside of us.
Going to visit my grandmother in the memory clinic with my mom. I want closure for a loved one, my mom wants to preserve the memory of the last time we had fun together as a family, and this unhappy reunion threatens to replace that. This puts us fundamentally at odds. I’m happy to be there, wearing a dress and make up, mom is pouting, wearing shorts and a hoodie. I can’t help feeling like I’m the parent and she’s the child. I’m expecting my grandmother to be bed ridden and completely mute. We find Kay Kay (my name for her) up and about and she even makes conversation with mom and me. She doesn’t recognize either one of us. There is a gleam of recognition in her eye when I look her in the face and say, “hey Kay Kay.” On the way home my mom asks, “was it everything you were expecting?” I answer, “I was expecting it to be much worse, I was expecting chapter one of Ulysses.” She didn’t get it. 🙄
Good article.
Aristotle had a useful answer (my phrasing) for this matter, tho he called it the Good Life: Achieve the full capacity of your abilities. To accomplish this, do the things that help you reach this goal and do not do the things that get in the way or lessen what you have already gained.
Many thoughts can go into understanding what are one's abilities, what things should I do to improve myself towards this goal, what things have I been doing, or might do, that lead the wrong way?
The original statement is rather simple, but thinking about those questions and the possible answers to them, choosing to act on them with integrity and doing that (often requiring support from others), is complex. Walking this path can indeed take one a long way to leading to a good and meaningful life.
Happy birthday, Glenn!
"I'm not at all certain about the existence of God." I had no idea. I always thought you were a conservative Christian. You are still full of surprises! :) "I'm a recovering born-again Christian." Now that's interesting! I hope you will expand on what that means sometime. Glen, you have led an interesting and meaningful life, and no doubt will continue to do so. Thanks for sharing your thought provoking intellect with us, your audience, and now your personal self. You make our lives more meaningful. Happy Birthday!
I must watch the entire conversation; you two men are brilliant, insightful, fascinating. Glen, your comments on what you'd like your grandchildren to know about life, and your comments about reading books I find particularly thought-provoking. Your clarity and broadness of thought are always a delight; I learn something with every new video you put up.
Gleen commands vivid, impactful, thoughtful language like few can. Insightful clip about a complex person.