posted December 08, 2007 01:18 PM         

A child can grow up to be a happy and "successful" person regardless of, in spite of, or even because of their less than ideal childhood. And so can they grow up to be unhappy and unsuccessful no matter how ideal their childhood. They are not exceptions, they just are. There comes a point in our lives where we must take responsibility for ourselves and our stations in life, assuming we are mentally equipped to do so. And yet too often it becomes an exercise in blame for how we've been cheated or marred or somehow prohibited from achieving our full potential. It is always possible that we've overestimated ourselves in regards to our potentialities ... as it is equally possible that we've underestimated ourselves in our abilities to overcome.

And following that line, we eventually end up with a number of theories. One being that everything happens for a reason and God has a plan for us that requires our suffering. Another being that God lets us suffer and doesn't really care. And yet another being that there is no God and our lives are a result of simple, and often cruel, chance. There are too many theories to list. But in the end, out of the many individually shaded theories out there that we could examine over the course of many long nights, we'd find that they are still only theories.

posted December 08, 2007 05:48 PM         

You make a good point, Zanya, when you mention parents electing to take less time-and-energy-consuming jobs. I didnt think of that. When you mention one parent staying home with the kids, that is something I agree with too. My argument referred to families where there is only one parent, or where both parents are working away from the home, although I didnt think to make that "detail" clear. As for the x-boxes, etc., I think its pretty clear from my argument that I dont value money for the superfluities it provides, but, for the security of a home, with food on the table. I wasnt thinking of luxuries but necessities, and savings "for a rainy day". As per "luxuries", I think that good medical coverage, organic foods, and organic products are better investments than videogames, etc. I do think its sad that you will find ipods and x-boxes in many low-income houses, where money, when it is made, isnt spent on more important things.

posted December 08, 2007 07:44 PM         

i think it's impossible to judge people based upon their individual choices. we are so brainwashed into believing that our bodies absolutely require allopathic medical care, that we don't even take the time to realize that quite often, such treatments actually are much more detrimental to our health than not. this is deliberate on the part of the AMA-mafia (LG discusses at length in her literature).

we always want to tell other people what we think they should do, how their choices are so wrong, because they're not like we are. everyone has different karma, different psychological, spiritual, and physical needs and paths.

of course we don't want to see children abused, neglected or hurt in any way. but what i always try to remember is that the highest among us cannot go higher until the least can follow. people deserve credit for doing the best they can, with the lot attributed them. sometimes what lies beneath the surface is something much different than what is visibly apparent.

i was once much more rigid about my beliefs about healthy food. but now i believe that so much more is involved in this arena than simply the consumption and quality of food that we eat. of course i always will believe that gmo infested food is pure evil, lol. but so much goes into the preparation of food that renders its energy nourishing to our bodies and souls. if you have read Masaru Emoto's books about the power of water, you might understand what i mean, or even if you haven't.

when we bless and love our food, and serve it with love and respect, it emits a much finer energy and substance than even the finest organic food served with cold indifference, or even hostility. this is pretty esoteric stuff, not that i'd expect everyone to accept at just face value, but in my experience, it's very relevant.

posted December 16, 2007 02:47 PM         

I've been reading your posts/comments lately, and just wanted to say that you are one righteous dude.

posted December 16, 2007 03:09 PM         

Thanks, 8th.
Takes one to know one, right?
I'll have to keep an eye out for you now.