Not in the slightest. If you find the exercise silly, that's you, but the data on empty nester divorces resulting from people putting all of their effort and attention into their kids to the point that when they're gone, they realize they have no identity or marriage, as well as the data on people who have severe depression when their defining characteristics are suddenly gone...both of those suggest that we could do well to talk a little more about it.
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- Thread starter SoapyCy
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Not in the slightest. If you find the exercise silly, that's you, but the data on empty nester divorces resulting from people putting all of their effort and attention into their kids to the point that when they're gone, they realize they have no identity or marriage, as well as the data on people who have severe depression when their defining characteristics are suddenly gone...both of those suggest that we could do well to talk a little more about it.
I am Farnsworth... and I am your father. And your mother... your brother... your friend. I am you... and me. I am all of us.
Sorry just watched that last night.
Sorry just watched that last night.
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I remember back when we were first trying to have kids - I had a friend whose username everywhere was "Jane&Michael'sMama" (insert her actual kids' names in place). I used to think that was really pathetic that she totally subjugated her identity to her children.
I totally get it now, though. I do retain my own identity more than that, but the role that is most important to me is mother and wife. One of the things that gives me great joy is that my children are so comfortable with me and see me in such a supportive role in their life that they actually use me as furniture - a mommy chair, a mama footstool, etc.
Also, I'm a space cowboy and a gangster of love. Some people call me Maurice.
I totally get it now, though. I do retain my own identity more than that, but the role that is most important to me is mother and wife. One of the things that gives me great joy is that my children are so comfortable with me and see me in such a supportive role in their life that they actually use me as furniture - a mommy chair, a mama footstool, etc.
Also, I'm a space cowboy and a gangster of love. Some people call me Maurice.
Actually that's right. Alarson is Spartacus so kill him instead of all of us other Spartacus'.
Like the Highlander, there can be only one. Settle it the old fashioned way... cookie in the middle.
Yes, but these are choices. By essence and the exercise being "silly" I mean that when asking the question "What are you?" How many different answers exist? Imo, it's a small number. For example; you mentioned your profession, everyone has one of those or something they do every day.
Hello, My Name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.
Mostly, I'm a smart *** and a-hole all wrapped into one handsome and charming man.
Mostly, I'm a smart *** and a-hole all wrapped into one handsome and charming man.
Will also take seriously.
Ironically, I'm typically a guy who takes nothing serious. Not much will offend me (unless you make fun of Carrie).
I'm not very good on a social aspect, as I struggle to develop relationships whether they are romantic or not. Even then, it's hard for me to keep them because people get sick of me due to my non-stop humor. Because of this, I'm typically the lone wolf and I'm OK with that.
Ironically, I'm typically a guy who takes nothing serious. Not much will offend me (unless you make fun of Carrie).
I'm not very good on a social aspect, as I struggle to develop relationships whether they are romantic or not. Even then, it's hard for me to keep them because people get sick of me due to my non-stop humor. Because of this, I'm typically the lone wolf and I'm OK with that.
I don't know if this is a defining trait, but I don't let what happens to me define me. Wherever I am in life, I tend to look forward, and don't offer up an excuse of where I might be if I had better luck, talent or whatever.
Similar thought to Woody's excellent blog, baby boomers have tended to define themselves by their professions. This has tended to make retirement a struggle for some of them. I attained a graduate degree and worked in my profession for ten years, but never really defined myself by it, despite falling within the baby boomer demographic. When the competing needs of multiple children and ill aging parents became too much, it was fairly easy to walk away from my job. However, the first thing anyone would ask as soon as they meet you was always, "What do you do?" After struggling with that initially, my answer became that I take care of everyone in my family. That is how I still view myself, and probably will until I become decrepit and need a caretaker myself.
- Mar 27, 2006
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I am Lothar, of the Hill People
Ahh! So, you must have had your man-sheath removed from your panoose? Did you get over it?
