Someone has to Say it: Bruce Springsteen Totally Stinks - Crossing Broad
Wednesday, May 25, 2022
Recommended Reading - How The Internet Ate A Young Man Alive
Josh Duggar Sentenced to 12.5 Years in Prison for Child Pornography (insider.com)
As a society, we love to witness others suffer. And this is especially true of us as westerners. For we are fiercely independent, existing in a world that's customizable to the nth degree. As such, we cannot help but find solace in patting ourselves on the back whilst observing our peers make more and more mistakes.
And this is especially true online. For the Internet represents the ultimate in nuanced freedom. So long as you know how to marginally utilize a browser, anything you can dream up will be at your fingertips in a split second.
Hence, you end up with scads of blokes like this one.
And we're supposed to slowly shake our heads and breathe a sigh of relief now that he's headed for over a decade to prison.
-------------------------
Why is illegal porn available online? Why is it possible to download illegal imagery at all?
I can't get my hands on arsenic. And I believe that's because it's a colorless, odorless poison that I could use to kill with. That makes sense.
Why can someone's employer provide them with a computer that can access illegal pornographic imagery? Why isn't the employer liable to any degree here or perhaps the PC manufacturer?
Why doesn't anyone really give a shit about men like this Duggar boy and his now completely fucked up life?
-------------------------
There is nothing we westerners desire more than maintaining our individual privileges, rights and status quo. For we are a - by default - intrinsically self-focused people. A people too busy planning our next vacation, landscaping our yards, adopting yet another mutt from the animal shelter, or aborting our burdensome, mistaken offspring.
Let this be a warning to you dear reader: You too can be demonized someday just as Mr. Duggar is. The Internet is on the prowl, looking to eat its next victim alive.
Connections & Reflections: The Sarah Society Newsletter - May 2022
Learn more about The Sarah Society (sister group to the Samson Society) here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Very Personal. Private Blessings.
This is the year I turn 50. Going into '22, my goal was to take stock primarily of how God had blessed me through service to him. And I've done a good bit of that work, and it's been wonderful to look back.
As you know, much of what I'm ruminating on personally - in real time, is written about here within this blog. Because Samson Society is such an integral part of my life, much of it is pigmented as such.
Considering that, this is a season where what God is doing specifically - within my life - simply cannot be documented here. And my reasoning behind that is my emotional state of mind therein. That being awe and deeply affecting humility.
We serve a God who knows us down to the very last cell. He wants to bless us personally in line with his understanding as our creator. No portion of our humanity can portend to expect how these blessings might pan out. So often, these blessings are relational, and at times, those relations can be mind-blowingly catered and timely.
The last thing I'll say here is about preparedness. Be expectant. And allow that joy to carry you through the worst days.
Monday, May 23, 2022
Saturday, May 21, 2022
Let's Talk Samson - "Hyper-Independence"
Note from Stephen: Over the next few weeks, I will be sharing some short posts titled "Let's Talk Samson..." The following post below originated from the Samson Society Facebook page. Specific permission was obtained from the Samson Society in order for the Jackson Mississippi Samson Society blog to re-post and share the contents. The ideas and thoughts presented here originated via the Samson Society's Facebook Page, and permission has been granted to share both ideas and images via this blog. At the end, I will add my own personal commentary and reflection; these will be presented in bold, italic lettering to designate my personal views as they pertain to the original posting. ~ Stephen
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Children who
experience emotional or physical neglect learn to replace the deep craving for
connection with "not needing anyone."
It's an instinct to self-protect and is an effective
coping tool to survive an unsafe and/or painful environment.
Hyper-independence numbs the deep craving for love and
connection. It takes the pain of rejection, abandonment, sadness, and grief,
and transforms it into a perceived self-confidence:
▪ "I don't need anyone."
▪ "I can do this on my own."
▪ "Why let you in? Everyone eventually
leaves."
When we’re used, betrayed, or disrespected, it’s easy
for us to create the belief that we can’t rely on anybody else. We don’t want
to feel that pain ever again, so we protect ourselves by believing we can walk
on this world without the help of others.
This mindset leads to:
▪ taking on too much
▪ saying no to help
▪ having trouble with delegating tasks
We may think being on our own is much better than
letting people in, but what we’re really doing is closing ourself off to life.
This is why community, such as the brotherhood of
Samson, is vital to our journey of recovery, healing, and just "doing
life."
Stephen's Commentary:
I am not a fan of social media and partake of it sparingly. I am a very private person, and I thank the good Lord every day that I grew up in a day and age when social media wasn't even a word that existed in the vernacular of Americans. Still, social media does have its moments and it also has certain areas in which it demonstrates usefulness. One particular way that I have found social media to be useful is via the Samson Facebook page. A few weeks ago, I came across a post that stopped me dead in my tracks. Quite literally, it stopped me dead in my tracks and caused me to have to sit down and pause for a few moments. Very few things that I have ever read online have pulled a sucker punch on me like this post did. Many thoughts raced through my mind at once: "This is me...this is who I am...Whoever wrote this looked right through my hardened veneer into the depths of my soul...They get it...they understand...maybe there are others out there like me..."
I have always been a "hyper-independent" person. Until I read this Facebook post, I didn't realize that there was even such a term to describe someone such as myself. Through the work I've done over the past 6 years via Samson, I have been able to re-trace the steps back through my life to see exactly when and where I started down the path of becoming "hyper-independent." Prior to Samson, I didn't know how to begin this process, nor would I have even cared to! Being a "hyper-independent" introverted person is very painful at times. Even though I can be an extroverted-introvert (ambivert) at times, the "hyper-independence" within me still reigns strong. "Hyper-independent" is perhaps the strongest over-arching character trait that is present in my life.
Being "hyper-independent" is DANGEROUS. Being such a person usually means keeping everyone at arm's length. As a husband and father, "hyper-independence" still, at times, causes me to be withdrawn and emotionally unavailable to those who need me the most...my family.
Being "hyper-independent" is EXHAUSTING. Being a chameleon in order to demonstrate a wonderful "outward" appearance while often struggling internally is both mentally and emotionally exhausting.
Being "hyper-independent" is extremely LONELY. A few weeks ago, my son was very sick, and was hospitalized for a week in the local children's hospital. My wife never left his side and spent the week in the hospital with him. My days consisted of working half days and running back and forth to the hospital during the remaining time to take care of my family. At night, I was at home caring for my three dogs. Aside from a few people we told, I did not reach out to anyone. Even though I was mentally exhausted and emotionally drained by the end of the day, my "hyper-independence" caused me to not reach out to anyone and struggle alone with my fears and my thoughts. It was a rough week.
Being "hyper-independent" is not who I want to be. Above, I have included a screenshot of the original post. The words I have highlighted in yellow describe me. That is Stephen. And I need help moving past that. But my "hyper-independence" assures me that I do not. I need people who will continue to convince me of the need to abandon my desire for "hyper-independence." ~Stephen
Children who experience emotional or physical neglect learn to replace the deep craving for connection with "not needing anyone."
It's an instinct to self-protect and is an effective coping tool to survive an unsafe and/or painful environment.
Hyper-independence numbs the deep craving for love and connection. It takes the pain of rejection, abandonment, sadness, and grief, and transforms it into a perceived self-confidence:
▪ "I don't need anyone."
▪ "I can do this on my own."
▪ "Why let you in? Everyone eventually leaves."
When we’re used, betrayed, or disrespected, it’s easy for us to create the belief that we can’t rely on anybody else. We don’t want to feel that pain ever again, so we protect ourselves by believing we can walk on this world without the help of others.
This mindset leads to:
▪ taking on too much
▪ saying no to help
▪ having trouble with delegating tasks
We may think being on our own is much better than letting people in, but what we’re really doing is closing ourself off to life.
This is why community, such as the brotherhood of Samson, is vital to our journey of recovery, healing, and just "doing life."
Stephen's Commentary:
I am not a fan of social media and partake of it sparingly. I am a very private person, and I thank the good Lord every day that I grew up in a day and age when social media wasn't even a word that existed in the vernacular of Americans. Still, social media does have its moments and it also has certain areas in which it demonstrates usefulness. One particular way that I have found social media to be useful is via the Samson Facebook page. A few weeks ago, I came across a post that stopped me dead in my tracks. Quite literally, it stopped me dead in my tracks and caused me to have to sit down and pause for a few moments. Very few things that I have ever read online have pulled a sucker punch on me like this post did. Many thoughts raced through my mind at once: "This is me...this is who I am...Whoever wrote this looked right through my hardened veneer into the depths of my soul...They get it...they understand...maybe there are others out there like me..."
I have always been a "hyper-independent" person. Until I read this Facebook post, I didn't realize that there was even such a term to describe someone such as myself. Through the work I've done over the past 6 years via Samson, I have been able to re-trace the steps back through my life to see exactly when and where I started down the path of becoming "hyper-independent." Prior to Samson, I didn't know how to begin this process, nor would I have even cared to! Being a "hyper-independent" introverted person is very painful at times. Even though I can be an extroverted-introvert (ambivert) at times, the "hyper-independence" within me still reigns strong. "Hyper-independent" is perhaps the strongest over-arching character trait that is present in my life.
Being "hyper-independent" is DANGEROUS. Being such a person usually means keeping everyone at arm's length. As a husband and father, "hyper-independence" still, at times, causes me to be withdrawn and emotionally unavailable to those who need me the most...my family.
Being "hyper-independent" is EXHAUSTING. Being a chameleon in order to demonstrate a wonderful "outward" appearance while often struggling internally is both mentally and emotionally exhausting.
Being "hyper-independent" is extremely LONELY. A few weeks ago, my son was very sick, and was hospitalized for a week in the local children's hospital. My wife never left his side and spent the week in the hospital with him. My days consisted of working half days and running back and forth to the hospital during the remaining time to take care of my family. At night, I was at home caring for my three dogs. Aside from a few people we told, I did not reach out to anyone. Even though I was mentally exhausted and emotionally drained by the end of the day, my "hyper-independence" caused me to not reach out to anyone and struggle alone with my fears and my thoughts. It was a rough week.
Being "hyper-independent" is not who I want to be. Above, I have included a screenshot of the original post. The words I have highlighted in yellow describe me. That is Stephen. And I need help moving past that. But my "hyper-independence" assures me that I do not. I need people who will continue to convince me of the need to abandon my desire for "hyper-independence." ~Stephen
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)