Excellent, existential comparison. “I’ve made my peace with the universe not caring about me, or Arsenal.” Some might see this statement as fatalistic, depressing, pessimistic. But like you, I find it freeing. My husband was raised in a fundamentalist Baptist church and spent the better part of his first 30 years believing that some other power was always measuring his thoughts and actions and rectifying them through consequence. But free of the church it’s now it’s up to him, each moment to accept the randomness of it all and not hitch his happiness to circumstance. He’s said this approach has made him a kinder, more creative and compassionate human than he ever was before because we’re all in this game of uncertainties together.
Well, firstly welcome to the other side Kimberley 🤣 So nice to see you here where The Crow goes to the stadium for hotdogs and the game ;)
That's such a fascinating idea from your husband and I totally understand what he means. I think that religious movements often claim a monopoly on certain realms of the human condition, like morality and ethical behaviour for example (usually accompanied by a menu of punishments for transgression), but I'm of the mind that the evolutionary process installs a strong tendency toward fairness, morality and justice etc. in all complex social creatures. For me as well, this means that removing the supernatural element brings us far closer together as beings through our shared exposure to the randomness of it all. So yeah, like you guys I don't find it fatalistic, depressing or pessimistic in the least. :) In fact the next post in The Crow sort of plays around with this very ground
Here's a couple of suggestions if you're interested on a little Arsenal Wonderland (totally get it if not of course) and the weird and wonderful things that go on in my football writing. 3 styles really below:
That is a fantastic description of my experience too Cheryl. And thankyou because so much of football coverage is based on data and statistics and hard facts when in reality the experience of football is emotional and social and subjective. Your beautiful comment reveals so much of the poetry of the experience, which is what I'm trying to also uncover here on AW. So thanks, that was great.
"...almost frail as if released from solitary confinement", I had that same feeling, like man, Martin needs a week in bed and a few cakes or something :) And then he tore it up like a gladiator fighting for his freedom. Incredible performance.
Excellent, existential comparison. “I’ve made my peace with the universe not caring about me, or Arsenal.” Some might see this statement as fatalistic, depressing, pessimistic. But like you, I find it freeing. My husband was raised in a fundamentalist Baptist church and spent the better part of his first 30 years believing that some other power was always measuring his thoughts and actions and rectifying them through consequence. But free of the church it’s now it’s up to him, each moment to accept the randomness of it all and not hitch his happiness to circumstance. He’s said this approach has made him a kinder, more creative and compassionate human than he ever was before because we’re all in this game of uncertainties together.
Well, firstly welcome to the other side Kimberley 🤣 So nice to see you here where The Crow goes to the stadium for hotdogs and the game ;)
That's such a fascinating idea from your husband and I totally understand what he means. I think that religious movements often claim a monopoly on certain realms of the human condition, like morality and ethical behaviour for example (usually accompanied by a menu of punishments for transgression), but I'm of the mind that the evolutionary process installs a strong tendency toward fairness, morality and justice etc. in all complex social creatures. For me as well, this means that removing the supernatural element brings us far closer together as beings through our shared exposure to the randomness of it all. So yeah, like you guys I don't find it fatalistic, depressing or pessimistic in the least. :) In fact the next post in The Crow sort of plays around with this very ground
Here's a couple of suggestions if you're interested on a little Arsenal Wonderland (totally get it if not of course) and the weird and wonderful things that go on in my football writing. 3 styles really below:
https://arsenalwonderland.substack.com/p/the-unbearable-lightness-of-being
https://arsenalwonderland.substack.com/p/arsenal-and-the-gods-of-football
https://arsenalwonderland.substack.com/p/granit-xhaka-and-the-monk-from-la
Thank you Jonathan! Today's newsletter is like warm tea and honey to the heart! I hope life treats you with kindness too!
Thanks lisanek, warm tea and honey is perfect :) So glad you enjoyed this musing. And right back atcha, may life offer you honey :)
That is a fantastic description of my experience too Cheryl. And thankyou because so much of football coverage is based on data and statistics and hard facts when in reality the experience of football is emotional and social and subjective. Your beautiful comment reveals so much of the poetry of the experience, which is what I'm trying to also uncover here on AW. So thanks, that was great.
"...almost frail as if released from solitary confinement", I had that same feeling, like man, Martin needs a week in bed and a few cakes or something :) And then he tore it up like a gladiator fighting for his freedom. Incredible performance.