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[dr_ryan_adama]

Social interaction is a basic need of the human psyche. It helps define our identities and is a critical building block to our own self-image and self-esteem. As much as we may hate to admit it, how we see ourselves is coloured by how we think others see us. The looking-glass self can be blamed on evolution and the survival instinct to be protected

Comments

[midnightsjane]

The more I look at the troubles and strife in this world, the more I think the root cause is someone just wanting to be heard. Be noticed. Deep down under anger, hostility and even apathy is someone feeling invisible.I think you have made a very good point here. So much of what we do in our lives is in some way a bid to be noticed, to have others validate our existence. When we feel ignored, or overlooked, it has a real effect on the face we see in the mirror

[dr_ryan_adama]

It's amazing to me that we often discover something about ourselves in hindsight. The stronger we grow, the more we can recognize our past weaknesses.

You are so right when you say we want someone to validate our existence. I find when I'm questioning myself about why I've reacted in anger or gotten my feelings hurt, it always seems to come back to the feeling of being either dismissed or ignored. I think the same thing when I watch the news. So much of the aggression in the world seems to stem from someone's pain at being inconsequential.

You are always so wonderfully caring and generous Jane! I have lucked out with meeting some amazing people through LJ and you're one of the best! ::hugs::

[midnightsjane]

Thank you! :hugs back:
I have learned a lot over the years, and one of the things that makes me unafraid of getting older is the fact that I am in a much better place now, at 59, than I was at 30, or 40. All the traumas of my life have given me a sense of perspective; I really do believe that old cliche whatever doesn't kill me makes me stronger.
One of the best things I ever did for myself was taking a trip to Europe, Greece specifically, after I got divorced. I'd never really been on my own before, so at 27, I got on a plane, and went to live in Greece for almost 2 years. I learned a great deal about myself, and became a much braver person through having no one else to rely on, and no one who knew me at all. I could practice being the person I wanted to be. Took a lot of practice, and many more years, but I have finally come to a place in life where I feel strong, and whole.
It's a great place to be.

[dr_ryan_adama]

I believe it too! There's a sense of empowerment in knowing that you can soldier through a tragedy and get to the other side.

Your Greece adventure is one of the hallmark things I admire about you. It has just been in the past year that I have felt the need to wander somewhere else -- actually, that's a lie. I've always felt the need but I was too afraid before. I would like to take my son to Britain and/or Europe when he's a teenager and while we're there, I'll do some investigating as to where I'll retire. ;)

You inspire me.

[dr_ryan_adama]

So you don't want to know that the time stamp is when I STARTED writing the post then? LOL

[dr_ryan_adama]

It's possible that hidden under the seeming powerlessness of consumers to curb their consumption lies anger. I tend to have trouble identifying anger, though, both in myself and in others, until it is too late!

My ex-husband gave me a Phd-worthy education in both anger and trying to fix it by purchasing things. I however, am not as skilled at spotting envy. I am not an envious person by nature (although I have felt its ugliness on occasion) so it just doesn't occur to me that other people are driven by envy.

You are kind. I see my directive to tell people how much I appreciate them as a symptom of my neurotic fear that this could be my (or someone else's) last day on Earth. ROFL I am glad however, that you see it as a good thing. I love you!

BTW - the reason behind THIS icon is to remind us that the yummy will come back. LOL

[dr_ryan_adama]

I can see envy being one of the fuels of our consumer culture. On a whole, we are definitely far from content or satisfied with ourselves. We keep looking for the quick fix.

BTW - like the term "McMansions" LOL

BSG - humour? Do they know how to do that anymore? The show is still brilliant and well-written but it's lost something. I think you're right that the main thing they're lacking is humour. I could almost forgive the other disloyalties if they would give me something witty and/or snarky to savour every once in a while. It's not the show I fell in love with anymore.