Posted by Jost on October 11, 2006, at 22:29:59
In reply to Re: I talked to a Marine today in my class, posted by Karen44 on October 10, 2006, at 23:05:06
Hi, Karen44.
I don't know Matt. Maybe others here know him IRL.
My personal opinion of what Matt should do wasn't what I was giving.
I observe that many people don't seem (to me, I may be wrong on this) to think he can consider this, investigate it, and come to reasonable, right conclusions on his own.
I'd like him to try. That's what I'm encouraging. That if he thinks the Army or even the Marines has something to offer him, he look into it. See what it's about, what it involves, go through a process of exploration, reflection, judgment.
Not let all of us talk him into or out of something-- but let him go forward, and perhaps discuss some of his findings with us, look for more concrete, specific responses.
That's all. I'm only saying: look it's not the craziest idea I've ever heard. It has worked for some people (ie my father) in the way you, Matt, are imagining and wanting it to work for you.
I'd like Matt to know that this phantasy of his isn't completely off=base, that some of what he's looking for is what someone might get from the Military.
Whether he could get that-- or would be hurt badly by the experience-- I have enough faith in him to think he could understand. He seems to realize that there are signficant reasons why it might be the wrong way-- yet be attracted and need to follow it out--I want to give him the respect of acknowledging the desire, which he can pursue without feeling foolish, or absurd for having the general idea. And which he can decide about on his own.
I reserve the right to do all I can later, if it seems like a very bad idea. But I reserve the right, right now, to trust that Matt can figure it out, too-- until then.
That's all I was saying.
Jost
poster:Jost
thread:691924
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20061005/msgs/693992.html