Are we all strangers even unto ourselves?

I think maybe we are.
When I pass by mirrors or glass storefronts I avoid looking at my reflection.

I seem to have this ability to estrange and alienate people from me -if they like me I sabotage that sooner or later.

I have sympathy for the devil an awful lot.

I am a LONG way from being any kind of genius! Don't recall ever taking a test of anykind.

I have to force myself everyday to make a conscious effort to NOT get down down down.

I do likes me alcohol.

When Thoreu was on his deathbed a preacher asked him if he had made his peace with God and Thoreu replied "we never quarreled." I can't say that.

But do I really understand myself? Now that's and enigma to be sure! But I'm tryin' Mason. I swear to God I'm trying real hard.

Nope.

Ok, after reading Shovelheat's response, I have to add, I also quite often look in the mirror and have a difficult time connecting that the person staring back is supposed to be me. I think the image I have of what I look like is so different than the person staring back that I never know how to possibly look at the person and not be critical or analytical.

Well, I certainly can claim that I know myself more than I know other people.

I'd have to say that I do. There are probably parts of me that are blind spots, but I am not afraid to peer into that blackness when it's revealed to me.

I'd have to say that I have to remember to be kind to myself because it's a lot easier to focus on my flaws. And, yes, I even have a pretty good understanding about why I do that.

I can be kind of paralyzing. If I understand all this crap about myself, why don't I "do better"? Why do I keep making mistakes? Worse, why the same ones? After all, I KNOW BETTER!

It's hard to break a loop. The loop can be pretty familiar and familiar can be comfortable--right up to the point where it smothers you.

Blah. This is getting morose. So, yeah. I know myself pretty well but I have to say I am a lot more familiar with my flaws then my strengths.

Just when I think I know myself, BAM, I go and do something I never thought I'd do.

Good article Mason. You have intellectual thoughts when drinking. I don't have a liquid iq. The more I drink the dumber I get. hahahahahah.

Being who I am,  I'd LOVE to answer some of the those burning questions,  however i do realize that they're "retorical" in nature.   I truly doubt you'd want me answering them!!

I think I know myself,  all toooooooo well.  Like you,  I love giving speeches,  public speaking,  yet don't want to be the "center of attention".  For me,  I think it's because I want to be heard.  Don't we all "want to heard"??

My hair has thinned too, from medication.  I carry too many pounds,  mostly like food too much and haven't been exercising.  Pain has been a real problem in the exercise area,  however....food has been used by me as a replacement for love...

Just yesterday I was thinking about why I feel jealous about a family member and realized it's because that one is ignoring me.  So again it's about love,  or in this case not feeling loved....

I"m just average in the IQ area,  have a son that is in the genius level,  yet consider myself well educated and if different areas too.  Am happy that I could achieve that with average IQ.

I used to have conniptions if I was critized,  couldn't stand it,  now I understand that it meant I was insecure and have worked through it. 

I do like to be understood,  that's important to me.  Do I know why?  I like to think so. 

If I compare myself to others,  other women that don't have all the health issues I've got going on,  I"m doomed to become depressed.  I can only ask myself if I'm doing all I can to take good care of what I've got.

The media I think can really mess up people's heads,  if they listen to the ads and try to be another Heidi Klum or whatever male model the media uses...we're real people.

 

I know myself, I just refuse to acknowledge that person.

I know myself really well, which is why I take absolutely no responsibility for my actions   

I know myself really well, which is why I take absolutely no responsibility for my actions

LOL! You are a nut!LOL! A lovable one at that!  

When Thoreu was on his deathbed a preacher asked him if he had made his peace with God and Thoreu replied "we never quarreled." I can't say that.

I enjoy reading Thoreu but I never realise this one and I do like it!LOL! Humor and insight til the very end!



A great article M! Over the years I've gotten to know myself a lot better, especially in the last four years. I can only move on and try to make things better as I go along. Sometimes I make a difference and other times I don't.
That's life (as the song goes!). BTW, I'm liking me better everyday!

Some interesting, insightful, and amusing responses here.

LW; you presented your question rather politely so no, I won't delete it. I did delete it's duplicate though

...

You'll probably consider this a rude question but I'm really just seeking clarification, trudy, so indulge me for a moment please

Yes it is and it seems like you're looking for another flame war, on Mason's blog no less.

It's these little inconsistencies that I often notice in people's stories that drive me bonkers, so I'd appreciate it if you would clarify this for me, not that I think you will, of course.

If you think I wouldn't clarify why bother asking?

First: There is no inconsistency, except for what you try to create.
Are you trying to stir a pot when nothing is in it? Or is this a "case" of you're NOT reading my reply accurately or more to the point perhaps you don't REMEMBER what I said.

My question is this, if your son is indeed a genius, then why in the world did you go off on me the way you did, suggesting I had made fun of him BECAUSE of his mental retardation? And if he IS mentally retarded, how can you now claim he has a genius IQ?

I "didn't go off on you" Gotta love how you exaggerate. I simply told you that if you make fun of my special needs adult son, that people reading your blog would realize that you could make fun of them next..I think the term you used that I objected to was this:
"Your loser *kid* and the slop you serve him."
NO WHERE did I or have I said he "was mentally retarded", nor have I said he was "DD" which is the correct terminology, not just PC. Not all special need adults are retarded whip. I personally think you're out of line for attacking me on Mason's blog, I think it's called "off subject", and quite frankly any more information about my son, other than what I've said, is none of your business. I think I have the right to "not tell all". And quite frankly whip, I don't give a dang why you think you need to know, and why you seem to care so much.

Mson: Thank you for the opportunity to reply. For me, this ends here.

Reply #16 Mson: Thank you for the opportunity to reply. For me, this ends here.

Of course.