Interests and strengths

I want to take a break from discussing distressing symptoms, dyfunctional relationships and dealing with loss. Instead I just want to talk about something that is positive for me.

I have always been interested in moral philosophy, perhaps from a very early age. I can remember reading Dr Suess books as a young child, and I would go back to them over and over. This got me in trouble from one of my teachers, who said I was being lazy and I should read 'harder' books. I guess she didn't realise how much depth is actually in Dr Suess' children's books.

Since then I have always been attracted to the underlying philosophy in books and movies. Tolkien's works, for example. I haven't been that interested in reading actual books of philosophy though, since I enjoy a good story much more.

In life, there have always been situations which provide food for thought. Whether or not to stick your neck out for someone in trouble, for example.

I do believe that each of us has the capacity for both destruction and for compassion, and that we always have a choice, although we might not always realise it at the time.

Anyway, I just wanted to share an aspect of my mind which is not broken, which is a positive in my life. Any thoughts on this? Or do you have an interest or something to share?

Thanks for creating this thread. It's exactly what I need today. It's great to read about others' strengths.

I find your interest in philosophy fascinating, especially because you seem to experience it via fiction. This is particularly interesting due to the fact that many fiction writers are equally interested in philosophy and have read philosophers' works. It's almost like getting it through a second party, wrapped in a human element.

I've always been good or shown talent in the same things. It's been very consistent for me, which has provided me a great deal of stability when everything else was chaos. Language--reading, writing, and foreign language. Music. Color. Fashion. And sport. Due to injury, I can't do much with athletics anymore, but I have the rest.

My family, particularly my mother, would like me to be different, but I have always been unwilling to sacrifice who I am to conform to stereotype or familial expectation (my parents both have their MBAs. I have degrees in French and English.) I am who I am. I have a lot to give--just not when it comes to mathematics.

I do tend to find philosophical writings quite dry in themselves. In that respect, I'm not much of an intellectual! But if a story has a deep underpinning philosophy then I am drawn to it. I love to puzzle out how the characters and situations are metaphors for a deeper meaning.

I'm married to a bilingual man - actually he is 'quadralingual' - and I find it fascinating how he can switch from one language to another - and one cultural way of thinking to another. I have only some basic knowledge of other languages, which has already taken so much study and practice to acquire. I would love to be able to converse away in another language, so I have nothing but admiration for people who can speak two.

While I have some skill with music, art and colour is something of a mystery to me. I find art frustrating because I don't have the ability to express what I want to. As far as the colour palette goes, I can identify only basic colours. Another wondrous talent I wish I had!

Nice thread

I find I have strengths in art and music too some - esp choral singing tho I do write stuff too. I think that it is important to look for things like this which we are good at. I also have the skill set I needed for my job and I think that has stayed with me. There is often time spent looking at the negatives of our lives and what is wrong with us and it is really good I think to be thinking about the things in our lives which are strengths for us.

Cracked

Great Thread,
Yes Dr. Seuss challenged children with more than just light stories.

When my boys were young, I missed the intelectual and philosophical content of Calvin and Hobbs, Bart Simpson and Whinnie the Pooh. My wife read to the boys every night before turning out the light and they shared marvelous literary journeys together.

This is truly a lovely thread. As an engineering student, one would imagine that I have interests that lie within the sciences and outside of creativity. I love science. But what do most people not know? I have a musical gift. I used to, way back when I was around 13 years old, play in professional youth orchestras. I also enjoy writing and swimming competitively.

Which instrument, (or percussion), did you play? I've played the 'cello since age 8, and like you, was in youth symphonies, etc. I was on swim team in High School, also. I mostly raced 50 and 100 free, and 50 fly, but I've always thought breast stroke was the most fun!

Maehem wrote:Which instrument, (or percussion), did you play? I've played the 'cello since age 8, and like you, was in youth symphonies, etc. I was on swim team in High School, also. I mostly raced 50 and 100 free, and 50 fly, but I've always thought breast stroke was the most fun!

I played the trumpet and the french horn. I quit following my graduation from High school, but I'm looking to take up a new instrument. I love swimming! I'm joining my college's swim club next year. I swam the 500 free and the 200 free....next up is the mile!

Aren't we a talented bunch

Cracked

I really like this thread getting to know you guys. I think this was an awesome thread to start birdie.

I really like the philosophy of language.. I love the German language and Polish (I am prominently German and Slovakian, but my Slovakian relatives spoke Polish). I enjoy reading books (i'm looking forward to getting back to it with glasses). Books like American Sniper are usually what I like. Biographies too. My biggest joy is when it's warm outside.. I love fixing old Mercedes. I love buying them cheap and restoring them to what they were. It's time consuming and fun with the results when it's done. I love specifically when repainting them. It's kind of like painting to me like painting an art picture. It has to be just perfect.. I also love the violin, piano and trumpet. I haven't played in years and probably really rusty..