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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by direstraits on February 23, 2003, at 2:36:38
As I slide down this rope called life, I (every now and then) find the courage to tie a knot or two. I have yet to tie one that lets me hang on for more than the briefest moment, let alone gives me the ability to begin climbing again. Why is it that my knots aren't good enough?
Posted by rayww on February 23, 2003, at 9:34:26
In reply to My knots aren't good enough., posted by direstraits on February 23, 2003, at 2:36:38
Have no fear. There's a real good trampoline at the bottom. Isn't that the rule of the cycle? What goes up must come down, and vice versa? Patience, time, pills, love, and work.
I wrote a poem using my son's vocabrulary list. Sometimes in our "feckless" effort, our knots do come undone. In our weakness we push pillows, rather than bricks. Here's my poem.
The winter was long and cold.
The darkness seemed to hold on forever.
Even the light that shone
was dimmed
by the shadows in my mind.In the recess I became a poltergeist
searching for jocularity in the expression.
But within my feckless reach,
it was nowhere to be found.The voices in my mind
became more obstreperous,
shutting out all hope
of the serene life I longed for.To festoon with hubris enjoyment
would be deleterious
because of my ignorant image
of my quidnunc self.But, then as sudden as its disappearing,
the phenomenal sun began to shine
beckoning the jovial spring
to re-enter the stage of my mind.I am a poltergeist. (a noisy, usually mischievous ghost held responsible for unexplained noises)
I am feckless. (weak and ifeffective)
I have jocularity. (jesting, merriment)
I festoon. (to adorn or hang)
I am serene. (calm, unruffled)
I am ignorant. (lacking in perception, knowledge or intelligence)
I am obstreperous.(loud, noisy)
I am quidnunc. (one who wishes or pretends to know all that is going on)
I am phenomenal. (amazing, fantastic, exceptional)
I am deleterious. (harmful in a subtle or unexpected way)
I am jovial. (jolly, merry, good natured, joyful, gleeful)
I am hubris. (exaggerated pride or self-confidence)
I am me.
Posted by Dinah on February 23, 2003, at 10:20:26
In reply to My knots aren't good enough., posted by direstraits on February 23, 2003, at 2:36:38
I love the imagery, and I know just what you mean. I'm sorry I don't have an answer for you, but know that you aren't alone.
Posted by Emme on February 23, 2003, at 21:01:19
In reply to My knots aren't good enough., posted by direstraits on February 23, 2003, at 2:36:38
I also like your imagery. I can feel the weariness in what you write. It's like trying repeatedly to climb out of a muddy ditch, isn't it? If you are having a hard time making sturdy knots yourself, maybe we can help you tie one. Keep posting. As Dinah said, you're not alone with this.
Emme
Posted by likelife on February 24, 2003, at 1:50:23
In reply to My knots aren't good enough., posted by direstraits on February 23, 2003, at 2:36:38
> As I slide down this rope called life, I (every now and then) find the courage to tie a knot or two. I have yet to tie one that lets me hang on for more than the briefest moment, let alone gives me the ability to begin climbing again. Why is it that my knots aren't good enough?
There's a million dollar question :)
I imagine knot tying is a learning process, and you're right, it takes a good deal of courage. There are also cumulative effects at work. The practice you have gained from tying earlier knots has to help with tying later knots faster and more efficiently (and perhaps more effectively). Have you elicited others' help in doing the tying?
What about changing the goal? Is there anything enjoyable about the ride? Does progress have to be upwards? Maybe I'm carrying this metaphor too far.
Anyway, I think a lot of us are trying to answer the same question, and what's so frustrating is that it seems like so many other people have the answer right in front of them. At least that's what frustrates me. By now, I've quit deluding myself into thinking that all those other people really have it so together.
I can't quite seem to make this come together and make it supportive. I'll keep trying though, in my mind...and I hope you continue to keep trying to do the tying.
Best,
Natalie
Posted by tina on February 24, 2003, at 8:45:05
In reply to Re: My knots aren't good enough., posted by rayww on February 23, 2003, at 9:34:26
that was cool rayww
Posted by noa on February 24, 2003, at 21:28:32
In reply to Re: My knots aren't good enough., posted by rayww on February 23, 2003, at 9:34:26
First, Direstraits, your rope-knot metaphor/poem is lovely!
Second, Ray, I loved your vocab poem. Thanks for the definitions because there were some challenging ones there--especially 'quidnunc'! How does one pronounce that and what is your child reading that he has to learn this word? ;-)
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