Wisdom from a 19-year-old, Leonard Cohen & Buddha. Physiologic Changes & the Elusive "Self." The Changing Selves of Those We Love. The Right Brain's Hope For Us All.
Funny, I wrote something on this subject this morning. But its about people who believe that their identity is made of stone, and how that relates to myth and fiction. Was going to post it to Substack, but it belongs here:
I’ve never met a content, fulfilled person who believed that their identity was made of stone. That believed that people can’t change.
Every person I have ever met who continued to learn and grow stayed connected to the rest of the world.
Thankfully, I had a close up example of someone who kept doubling down on the identity they formed as a child, throughout their entire life. They never grew past that. Even as a little kid, I could see that this was a great example of how not to be.
This is the same lesson that every story teaches us. Every story is an identity crisis. When the old identity gets into a novel conflict, it is proven to no longer be useful, so its time to adopt a new one. Those who refuse this discomfort grow bitter. Nothing is static. Change is painful, but not as painful as being an outdated version of ourselves.
So great to read. Thank you for choosing to share this here. It's affirming for those of us who can't help but feel we "should" have figured it out by now - that we "should" have a more solidified identity. And yes...great point about stories...It seems with all the stories, we learn that change is inevitable...I wish this was taught in school. Thank you again.
What an excellent post. Thank you!
You're welcome. Thank YOU.
Funny, I wrote something on this subject this morning. But its about people who believe that their identity is made of stone, and how that relates to myth and fiction. Was going to post it to Substack, but it belongs here:
I’ve never met a content, fulfilled person who believed that their identity was made of stone. That believed that people can’t change.
Every person I have ever met who continued to learn and grow stayed connected to the rest of the world.
Thankfully, I had a close up example of someone who kept doubling down on the identity they formed as a child, throughout their entire life. They never grew past that. Even as a little kid, I could see that this was a great example of how not to be.
This is the same lesson that every story teaches us. Every story is an identity crisis. When the old identity gets into a novel conflict, it is proven to no longer be useful, so its time to adopt a new one. Those who refuse this discomfort grow bitter. Nothing is static. Change is painful, but not as painful as being an outdated version of ourselves.
So great to read. Thank you for choosing to share this here. It's affirming for those of us who can't help but feel we "should" have figured it out by now - that we "should" have a more solidified identity. And yes...great point about stories...It seems with all the stories, we learn that change is inevitable...I wish this was taught in school. Thank you again.