As a retired psychotherapist, I see the perspective you are encouraging as much the same as any good therapist would suggest, and that is: not to focus only on the presenting problem, but on the dynamics that undergird the problem in a person's life or in their relationships. It's only by identifying the underlying dynamics (i.e
the unhealed wounds, the disappointments, the dysfunctional beliefs - basically the underlying commonalities I that you speak of) that progress towards a lasting solution can be made.
Underlying emotion, it could be fear, hurt, disappointment, all of these or some combination, drives our choices and behaviors. But humans are adept at denial, distraction and delusion. I think this has always been the case. We are where we are because of experiences and decisions the origins of which go back millennia. We seek easy solutions and some people need to dominate others while many prefer to submit. We have a hard time understanding that technological advancements are simply tools and not some form of preordained destiny signaling spurious superiority. We believe our lies and distort reality to conform to our biases. We are also a contentious species. Some of these attributes assist with survival, but when overused they become destructive. Our inability to self reflect and self evaluate is an immense problem. This is what education and learning should focus on at its most foundational level. We have sadly strayed far away from the enlightened path and are deeply lost in collective and individual confusion.
Anand - You provided us some inspiration about where we are and where we hope to be! We do, however, need to pursue the path of our firm resistance to and the greedy, ignorant oligarchs in training while we journey toward a purge of #47 and, in the intervening two years, toward the minions who pursue his evil. "The law is the protection of the people" as Kris Kristopherson sang to us in 1970. Nixon is gone, but #47 carries his legacy. Brighter days can be ahead
Your second paragraph should be set in bronze and erected in the Central Park of every city and town in America. As another retired therapist I can say that while exploring the underlying dynamics of a thing can be both illuminating and helpful, sometimes enough is enough and we need to burn in our convictions. It all depends on both the person and the circumstances, not to mention the urgency of an issue. Sometimes there's no time for a deep dive. Sometimes you must strike while the iron is hot. Just saying.
As a retired psychotherapist, I see the perspective you are encouraging as much the same as any good therapist would suggest, and that is: not to focus only on the presenting problem, but on the dynamics that undergird the problem in a person's life or in their relationships. It's only by identifying the underlying dynamics (i.e
the unhealed wounds, the disappointments, the dysfunctional beliefs - basically the underlying commonalities I that you speak of) that progress towards a lasting solution can be made.
The Principal at a school sets the tone. So does the President of a country.
You captured so well how I’m feeling in this moment. It’s a lot. I’m about to be a grandmother and I worry about what his generation will face.
Underlying emotion, it could be fear, hurt, disappointment, all of these or some combination, drives our choices and behaviors. But humans are adept at denial, distraction and delusion. I think this has always been the case. We are where we are because of experiences and decisions the origins of which go back millennia. We seek easy solutions and some people need to dominate others while many prefer to submit. We have a hard time understanding that technological advancements are simply tools and not some form of preordained destiny signaling spurious superiority. We believe our lies and distort reality to conform to our biases. We are also a contentious species. Some of these attributes assist with survival, but when overused they become destructive. Our inability to self reflect and self evaluate is an immense problem. This is what education and learning should focus on at its most foundational level. We have sadly strayed far away from the enlightened path and are deeply lost in collective and individual confusion.
Anand - You provided us some inspiration about where we are and where we hope to be! We do, however, need to pursue the path of our firm resistance to and the greedy, ignorant oligarchs in training while we journey toward a purge of #47 and, in the intervening two years, toward the minions who pursue his evil. "The law is the protection of the people" as Kris Kristopherson sang to us in 1970. Nixon is gone, but #47 carries his legacy. Brighter days can be ahead
Would recommend watching “ Bucks County” ,
sadly a pretty good example
Your second paragraph should be set in bronze and erected in the Central Park of every city and town in America. As another retired therapist I can say that while exploring the underlying dynamics of a thing can be both illuminating and helpful, sometimes enough is enough and we need to burn in our convictions. It all depends on both the person and the circumstances, not to mention the urgency of an issue. Sometimes there's no time for a deep dive. Sometimes you must strike while the iron is hot. Just saying.