These are rhetorical questions.

[saffronhare]

My gods are wretched. And I mean that in a loving way, really. But I've had just about enough of being pushed to do the thing I really don't want to do. Why can't divine will line up with my own will more often? This week has been full of having to graciously give in to necessity on so many things that I'm about to choke.

I mean, I know that moderating my naturally predatory nature is part of my soul's growth. But why do so many situations call on me to go against the grain of my first instincts?

Tao, my ass.

Comments

I think it's called Classical Conditioning

[triadruid.livejournal.com]

Not that I'm sure it'll work in your case. You're more likely to eventually get 'classical' on their ass. But occasionally, despite that, we are Not Right. Damn the luck, really.


By the way, Kira's apple branch is done, when we have time to touch base. Unless I have time to... *goes to Google (http://www.google.com/search?q=melting+silver)*

From a place of love...

[featherynscale.livejournal.com]

But why do so many situations call on me to go against the grain of my first instincts?

Because ego-brittleness and a limited set of response strategies are poor survival traits. :)

[diermuid.livejournal.com]

Instinct is over-rated, instinct is close to impulse, and part of what makes our world possible is impulse control. One thing that keeps us from flood, famine, and poverty is forethought and acting on what is reasonable, not what we nessecarily -want- to do or feel we should do.

For example, while some would like to club Bush like a baby seal, this sort of act would lead us into an economic tailspin. Particularly if we clubbed all leaders who needed a good clubbing in anyone's eyes. That would be a mess, wouldn't it?

Of course I am totally clueless as to what your dilemna is so this may or may not be helpful. ;-)

I always look towards the long term... if I restrain my instincts or impulses today... what is the payoff down the road? It makes restraint more bearable if you can see a good reason for it.

A new translation!

[zylch.livejournal.com]

"The Tao that is your ass is not the Eternal Tao.
The Ass that is your tao is not the Eternal Ass."

(joke? smile? Er... without showing your teeth?)

Darn. Darn you all.

[saffronhare.livejournal.com]

Darn you all for being so literal and sensible. You're all right in your own ways. And there's no particular dilemma -- just frustration. As BG said at the Will class last week: The difference between perseverance and insanity is course correction.