The internet.....where 20 year olds can sound world weary.

[musclebrains]

Question for you MB.......I am always trying to improve something about my life yet it always seems that one step forward in one area tends to be accompanied by a step backwards in another area.

What is up with this phenomena? Does anyone have a full hand in every respect? Is it even possible?

I don't have much faith in the project of "self-improvement." Being psychoanalytically trained, I'm more interested in increasing consciousness, which in turn seems to improve the quality of life even if it doesn't insure "happiness."

Too often "self improvement" involves covering up something and the effort of the ego is sabotaged by a compensatory action of the unconscious. The psyche is expressing its demand that the underlying matter find resolution. Classic example is the reformed drunk who sublimates his former addcition by becoming the fattest slob alive.

On the other hand, nobody is wholly the master of his own fate and most people instinctively reject their destinies because they almost always oppose our self-idealizations. The paintings of the Anunciation are actually about that. The Virgin is always stepping back in horror even as she's being handed notice that she's about to become the mother of god. So, in one sense, something is ALWAYS slipping back emotionally as one moves toward one's life purpose. It's always daunting.

Then again, you may just be a born loser.

 

[Testosterone boy]

I don't have much faith in the project of "self-improvement." Being psychoanalytically trained, I'm more interested in increasing consciousness, which in turn seems to improve the quality of life even if it doesn't insure "happiness."

Too often "self improvement" involves covering up something and the effort of the ego is sabotaged by a compensatory action of the unconscious. The psyche is expressing its demand that the underlying matter find resolution. Classic example is the reformed drunk who sublimates his former addcition by becoming the fattest slob alive.

On the other hand, nobody is wholly the master of his own fate and most people instinctively reject their destinies because they almost always oppose our self-idealizations. The paintings of the Anunciation are actually about that. The Virgin is always stepping back in horror even as she's being handed notice that she's about to become the mother of god. So, in one sense, something is ALWAYS slipping back emotionally as one moves toward one's life purpose. It's always daunting.

Then again, you may just be a born loser.

Thats a new thought. I guess I am in a couple respects, I never passed on my genes to my knowledge.

 

[Frackal]

Didnt take me even 20 years to see that there is alot of bullshit in the system...besides, by the time you're older, you're too beaten down and despondent to care.

 

[Testosterone boy]

Didnt take me even 20 years to see that there is alot of bullshit in the system...besides, by the time you're older, you're too beaten down and despondent to care.

Huh......I'm less beaten down and apathetic than many high schoolers. If it were not for the looking war and the recession, I would still be a spring chicken (rooster of couse).

 

[Frackal]

Well wasnt referring to you really...more like 40+

 

[WODIN]

Well wasnt referring to you really...more like 40+

Watch it there pee wee....

 

[musclebrains]

Watch it there pee wee....

Too bad about what is going to happen to Frackal, isn't it?

 

[AAP]

I don't have much faith in the project of "self-improvement." Being psychoanalytically trained, I'm more interested in increasing consciousness, which in turn seems to improve the quality of life even if it doesn't insure "happiness."

Too often "self improvement" involves covering up something and the effort of the ego is sabotaged by a compensatory action of the unconscious. The psyche is expressing its demand that the underlying matter find resolution. Classic example is the reformed drunk who sublimates his former addcition by becoming the fattest slob alive.

On the other hand, nobody is wholly the master of his own fate and most people instinctively reject their destinies because they almost always oppose our self-idealizations. The paintings of the Anunciation are actually about that. The Virgin is always stepping back in horror even as she's being handed notice that she's about to become the mother of god. So, in one sense, something is ALWAYS slipping back emotionally as one moves toward one's life purpose. It's always daunting.

Then again, you may just be a born loser.

Well this was a little fucking day brightener.

 

[musclebrains]

Well this was a little fucking day brightener.

LOL...what's up, AAP? Been to HOtlanta lately? Everyone I know is moving to FTL.

 

[WODIN]

Self improvement is masturbation, self destruction is enlightenment. ---- Fight Club.

I think Muscle brains makes a very valid point in terms of consciousness and its relationship to the idea of improvement.