Any character that you related to so strongly? \ stacker news ~BooksAndArticles

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Any character that you related to so strongly?

2217 sats \ 21 comments \ @cryotosensei 21 Jan BooksAndArticles

zaps forwarded to @siggy47 (50%)

I’m a parent. A struggling and burnt-out one. I try stoically to find the silver lining in my fully-packed, yet slow-moving days.

I read “Help Me!” by Marianne Power. In one pub outing, her male friend said this to her. I highlighted his words in blue:

https://m.stacker.news/13182

Oh my goodness, my soul leapt from my body. He took the words exactly out of my mouth. This is exactly what I feel! I’m not sure the reason why he seemed to look so defeated. Is it because he had one pint too many? Or is it because he is letting his guard down and revealing his resignation with parenthood? I won’t venture too much into analysing his psyche. It’s pointless. And anyway, just reading his sentence made me feel so validated that it was enough for me. You know, the misery loves company thingy.

So have you ever come across something in which you resonated so strongly to what a character said or did? You don’t have to highlight your book, though. I know some avid readers would be aghast at my habit haha.

Forwarding some sats to @siggy47 because two of my frequently patronised territories got archived, which made me realise I got to be more proactive in ensuring the longevity of those remaining haha

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1418 sats \ 2 replies \ @Undisciplined 21 Jan

I had an experience like that while taking a philosophy class in high school. We were writing up our personal philosophies while reading different thinkers.

I had just written a page or two about the relationship between material well-being and happiness, after starting one of the Dalai Lama's books. Literally the next pages I read of his book were almost word-for-word what I had written.

It was incredibly weird.

In all likelihood I wouldn't still share those views, but that memory will always stand out to me.

653 sats \ 1 reply \ @cryotosensei OP 21 Jan

What a story! I kinda felt goosebumps go down my spine.

Your experience is open to so many interpretations. Did some Higher Order channel through you and guide your consciousness to write those words? Or were you just a darn good writer and absorbed the style of the Dalai Lama so seamlessly that you didn’t notice it yourself? These are rhetorical questions, btw. Haha

Has that moment of profound connection affected the way you perceive his teachings in any way?

108 sats \ 0 replies \ @Undisciplined 21 Jan

Honestly, I've never known what to make of it.

400 sats \ 5 replies \ @fm 21 Jan

It’s not supposed to be easy. And that somehow makes it even more rewarding i guess.. Today our 1 year old and 4 year old managed to play together for almost an hour. Wife said: there’s light at the end of the tunnel.. we feel overwhelmed a lot of times also.. but one day we will miss it so much

110 sats \ 1 reply \ @cryotosensei OP 21 Jan

My kids are four and one years old too!

My baby girl is strongly independent and either snatches her brother’s toys or insists to be let out of the playpen to go out for walks haha. But I think my son has softened. These days he shares his toys with his kid sister - and that’s really nice to witness. As long as they grow up being kind and healthy

Thanks for “commiserating” with me haha

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @fm 22 Jan

Thanks for “commiserating” with me haha

heheheh, good one, You made me laugh :p

218 sats \ 2 replies \ @justanumber 21 Jan

Yes you're so right, you will miss it. I've been parenting over 25 years. Just think something like "I will never get to hold this 2 week old baby again" (or however old your kids are) because tomorrow, next week, next month, next year they will be different. It's a cliché but they wake up each day different. As my kids started getting older. I started thinking in terms of how many summers I had left with them. That was bit of a wake up call. When they're little, time seems to go sooooo slowly but you just won't believe how fast the times goes (another cliché, I know!). Savour the moments, think of all the different things and activities you can do with them and enjoy every moment.

10 sats \ 0 replies \ @cryotosensei OP 21 Jan

I had a similar wake-up call. Something about how many years my grandkids have with their granddad left. It’s sobering and terrifying. So this year, I have been intentional to schedule meetups once a week.

Thanks for sharing your perspective. What do you cherish most about that rush hour of life?

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @fm 21 Jan

Guess thats what gives me strength to raise these two 😅 Sounds about right

513 sats \ 1 reply \ @OriginalSize 21 Jan freebie

Highlight on. It's your book!

To your struggle perspective makes all the difference. We all have plenty of repetitive mundane frustrating tasks and too+rare wondrous fun times. It's about accepting one and appreciation of the other.

I wish I could say I related to a character that I've run across. It's probably happened but I fail to detect or linger on it.

213 sats \ 0 replies \ @cryotosensei OP 21 Jan

Indeed. These days I try to exercise grace when I wake up at 5.30am to do household chores. Ofc listening to Fountain podcasts helps get me in an appreciative mood. Thank you @MerryOscar for what you and your team do

391 sats \ 2 replies \ @southside263 22 Jan freebie

“its me. hi, I’m the problem its me.”

was never a Taylor Swift fan…

but this song hit me hard. 😂

10 sats \ 1 reply \ @cryotosensei OP 23 Jan

No judgement, buddy. I'm listening to the song rn!

28 sats \ 0 replies \ @southside263 23 Jan

when you’re married with young kids - all judgement washes over me 😂

IYKYK 🫡

118 sats \ 1 reply \ @siggy47 fwd 21 Jan

Thanks for the support. I'll pay it forward by zapping posts in territories I don't own. Back to your post. Yes, that's happened to me all my life. I wish I could think of a direct quote from a character. Unfortunately I have felt like Willy Loman a lot. Pretty depressing, I know. Also, I don't know if anyone has read A Fan's Notes, by Frederick Exley? I related to the narrator in that book a lot. Basically when your life gets whittled down to alcohol and an obsession with your favorite NFL team. Lucky for me that didn't last long.

405 sats \ 0 replies \ @cryotosensei OP 21 Jan

I haven’t heard of your two references. Let me see if the Universe will enlighten me in some way n get back to you haha