Almost three years ago, I wrote a Top Comments diary entitled “Investments in Self.’ It began with mention of people I saw doing physical activities for their fitness and well-being. I wrote because it impressed me then. It impresses me now, no less.
More below.
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To quote from before (I obtained permission, honest!):
As Colbert suggests that facts have a ‘well known liberal bias,’ so, too, I think, does creative engagement. Yes, conservatives can undertake creative activity, nothing about being conservative that stops them. But, the activity, long-term, mitigates against conservatism, against close-mindedness, against narrow-mindedness, selfishness, bigotry, hatred, It is a growth experience, becoming more than we were before. It isn’t a narrowing experience, an investment in status quo or rigidity. Left alone, creativity itself will take them outside their intentionally narrow selves, and into a broader, more expansive world.
The same is true, I think, for physical activities intentionally undertaken for our fitness and well-being. Such activities are investments in self. To help us be a bit healthier than we were before, a bit better suited for survival and coping. It is expanding, a growth experience. It cannot be bought, cannot be inherited, cannot be gifted. It has to be performed, and there are no shortcuts. It may not do it all by itself, it may not do it in the short term, but investments in self tend to take us beyond our narrower aspects, and into a better world.
Please note. I am impressed by investments in self, NOT by investments in selfishness. None of us represents the be-all/end-all of human existence, least of all our atrocious national example. Attitudes like that, without fail, take us into a smaller, pettier world, and a far more dangerous one. I know you know.
In any case, investments in self have been on my mind this week. I had a small personal breakthrough. It has no big consequences. Yet. But it sure has lifted my spirits. It sure has buoyed my morale.
May your investments in self bring you great rewards!
On to tonight’s comments! Brought to you by my dear friend, brillig!
TOP COMMENTS
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From MikeTheLiberal:
Here’s a (late) comment from citixen, in response to one of my comments in Trump plans to impose abortion 'gag rule' on all taxpayer-funded women's health clinics, that shows what happens when you have people who believe in one and only one way. I had no idea this happened, and I’m appalled.
From gizmo59:
I nominate this comment by Cmae, a reply to my comment that made me laugh.
TOP MOJO
Top Mojo for yesterday, May 13th, 2018, first comments and tip jars excluded. Thank you mik for the mojo magic! For those of you interested in How Top Mojo Works, please see his diary on FAQing Top Mojo.
Top Pictures for yesterday, May 13th, 2018. Click any picture to be taken to the full comment or picture. Thank you jotter!