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August 25, 2004
Answers
In the Tuesday the 24th post entitled “A Challenge for You” Pewari asks some important questions. They are some that Kevin and I have pondered ourselves in our incessant talks. The questions are: if you were to meet yourself from a decade ago, would you recognise yourself? Would you have anything in common? Would you get on, or would you find yourself irritated with your naivety? Would you tell yourself to do anything differently or do you accept everything that has happened between then and now as necessary on the path to who you are now and who you are to become?
If I were to meet myself from a decade ago I probably would recognize myself, but it would be very little. We would definitely have things in common. I can usually find a common link with about anyone. The only advice that I could give myself would be to not use those credit cards so much! Everything else in my life has made me who I am.
I have answered the questions, but I would like to delve further. It truly amazes me how much my opinions have changed over the past ten years or so. I believe that I have gone from being very rigid in some respects to being very liberal. It was not too long ago that I was still living at home with my parents. Anyone can tell you that as long as you’re living in that sheltered environment, you’re not really living and experiencing things on your own. You don’t get the chance to look at things in your own way because someone else is always infringing their opinions on you. I’m not saying that their opinions are wrong or bad, just that you tend to not think for yourself.
There are things that I was raised to believe that I do not believe or support now. In some ways I guess I’m still shocked that I believe now the way that I do. No, I’m not getting into it here. I also don’t go into these matters that I refer to with my family. I have some personal opinions that they would never be able to understand. The only person who truly knows the real Tami is Kevin. Kevin and I say everything that goes on inside our heads. We know each other inside and out when no one else does.
As far as light things are concerned: My taste in music is the same as ever. I have been reading different authors which have increased my vocabulary and the way that I view the world. My television habits have changed dramatically. I now watch more nighttime TV than ever before. There are so many great shows out there that I just cannot help myself! My eating habits have stayed the same and I have maintained the same weight for the past eight years for better or worse. Things have significantly changed around me, but as a whole, I am the same. I believe that I am a better person today than I was about twelve years ago. I am more tolerant, realizing that there are more views in the world than just mine and that they matter just as much. The Baptist’s aren’t going to be the only ones in Heaven! Not that anyone has actually said that, but it has been implied on many occasions.
The major events that have happened in my life happened for a reason and I would not change them. I would not want to go back and advise myself not to do something. There is a process and progression in everyone’s life. I am still in the early stages of these, but so far am very happy with the way things are shaping up. I hope this answers your questions Pewari ;)
Posted by tami at August 25, 2004 8:48 AM
Comments
It answers them admirably! Thank you also for extrapolating from the original questions, I think you've touched more on the spirit of what my thoughts were rambling idly towards.
I share your experience of becoming more tolerant and liberal as I've got older... I've also found myself becoming more and more intolerant of intolerance though - I don't know whether that's a natural result or not! But I'm also becoming more accepting of the person I was back then as even though I probably wouldn't like myself much if I met my former self, I also appreciate that I needed to be her in order to get to be me.
Thanks - it made interesting reading :)
Posted by: Pewari at August 25, 2004 5:38 PM