Comments on: Let Your Clarity Define You http://twentyorsomething.com/2009/07/20/let-your-clarity-define-you/ tonight we drink to youth. Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:14:47 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Tears Are Not Enough — twenty(or)something http://twentyorsomething.com/2009/07/20/let-your-clarity-define-you/comment-page-1/#comment-13418 Tears Are Not Enough — twenty(or)something Tue, 05 Apr 2011 02:30:55 +0000 http://twentyorsomething.com/?p=1453#comment-13418 [...] that’s why I’ve started this feature. I learned a long time ago that I can’t be the activist — the person — I wish I could be…not yet. And [...] [...] that’s why I’ve started this feature. I learned a long time ago that I can’t be the activist — the person — I wish I could be…not yet. And [...]

]]> By: Susan Pogorzelski - admin http://twentyorsomething.com/2009/07/20/let-your-clarity-define-you/comment-page-1/#comment-3608 Susan Pogorzelski - admin Wed, 29 Jul 2009 13:27:20 +0000 http://twentyorsomething.com/?p=1453#comment-3608 <b>Grace:</b> Thanks for your comment and, as always, your support! Teachers, doctors, social workers I think are all in the same category of people I wholeheartedly admire for the very same reason that you expressed -- they help the world without harming who they are because that is who they are, with an ability to separate themselves. I don't know if I would be able -- or, admittedly, willing -- to do that. And you're right, you've helped me to realize that it is a "legitimate and honest way of living" -- just as that may be who they are, our sensitive, yet still compassionate, natures may make up who you and I are. And I've begun to realize that that's ok. Thanks so much for your comment, Grace! It's nice to know we're not in the world alone. :) Grace: Thanks for your comment and, as always, your support! Teachers, doctors, social workers I think are all in the same category of people I wholeheartedly admire for the very same reason that you expressed — they help the world without harming who they are because that is who they are, with an ability to separate themselves. I don’t know if I would be able — or, admittedly, willing — to do that. And you’re right, you’ve helped me to realize that it is a “legitimate and honest way of living” — just as that may be who they are, our sensitive, yet still compassionate, natures may make up who you and I are. And I’ve begun to realize that that’s ok.

Thanks so much for your comment, Grace! It’s nice to know we’re not in the world alone. :)

]]> By: Grace Boyle http://twentyorsomething.com/2009/07/20/let-your-clarity-define-you/comment-page-1/#comment-3565 Grace Boyle Sun, 26 Jul 2009 05:37:32 +0000 http://twentyorsomething.com/?p=1453#comment-3565 Susan, I would definitely not look at this as a failure (I know everyone has said that, but I will say it again). I always thought it would be really hard to be a Doctor. I'm not talking about the years of med school and sleepless nights, but rather the times when they have to separate emotion from their work. They have to walk away from the death that day and go eat dinner with their own families. There are some people who just can't separate emotions like that, they aren't cold and can't be numb to hearing what you had to hear. I'm one of them too and I think it's perfectly legitimate and an honest way of living. So cheers to you...and you walked away learning something new, with a perspective that has helped although it hurt your heart. Great post! Susan, I would definitely not look at this as a failure (I know everyone has said that, but I will say it again). I always thought it would be really hard to be a Doctor. I’m not talking about the years of med school and sleepless nights, but rather the times when they have to separate emotion from their work. They have to walk away from the death that day and go eat dinner with their own families. There are some people who just can’t separate emotions like that, they aren’t cold and can’t be numb to hearing what you had to hear. I’m one of them too and I think it’s perfectly legitimate and an honest way of living. So cheers to you…and you walked away learning something new, with a perspective that has helped although it hurt your heart. Great post!

]]> By: Susan Pogorzelski - admin http://twentyorsomething.com/2009/07/20/let-your-clarity-define-you/comment-page-1/#comment-3514 Susan Pogorzelski - admin Thu, 23 Jul 2009 02:55:10 +0000 http://twentyorsomething.com/?p=1453#comment-3514 <strong>Caffeine Maniac</strong>: You're exactly right, which is exactly why my respect for those caseworkers is beyond measure. I was only transcribing, but they have witnessed firsthand these cases, and, as such, they have a strength which I admire so much, only eclipsed by those who live it. I can't imagine what it must be like for those GALs, as you described, especially if you're not prepared or trained for it. I can't say that I agree with that practice, but I certainly feel for them. Thanks for shedding some light on this! <strong>Harl</strong>: Thank you, so much, for sharing your story -- I know how difficult these situations can be to put into words. I can't tell you how much your story moved me and how much I feel for you for having experienced that -- I certainly couldn't imagine. I'll be saying more to you in a private email, but I want you to know how much my respect for you has grown as well, and for your family, and your wife, who I'm sure sees these things firsthand. I once said that it would be an honor to call you a friend and I stand by that, now more than ever. Thank you, Harl. Thank you for sharing your story and thank you for your support and friendship. Caffeine Maniac: You’re exactly right, which is exactly why my respect for those caseworkers is beyond measure. I was only transcribing, but they have witnessed firsthand these cases, and, as such, they have a strength which I admire so much, only eclipsed by those who live it. I can’t imagine what it must be like for those GALs, as you described, especially if you’re not prepared or trained for it. I can’t say that I agree with that practice, but I certainly feel for them. Thanks for shedding some light on this!

Harl: Thank you, so much, for sharing your story — I know how difficult these situations can be to put into words. I can’t tell you how much your story moved me and how much I feel for you for having experienced that — I certainly couldn’t imagine. I’ll be saying more to you in a private email, but I want you to know how much my respect for you has grown as well, and for your family, and your wife, who I’m sure sees these things firsthand. I once said that it would be an honor to call you a friend and I stand by that, now more than ever. Thank you, Harl. Thank you for sharing your story and thank you for your support and friendship.

]]> By: Susan Pogorzelski - admin http://twentyorsomething.com/2009/07/20/let-your-clarity-define-you/comment-page-1/#comment-3513 Susan Pogorzelski - admin Thu, 23 Jul 2009 02:43:51 +0000 http://twentyorsomething.com/?p=1453#comment-3513 <strong>Greymous</strong>: I can't tell you how this comment speaks to me. I've always known that I've been an incredibly emotionally-intuitive person, but I don't think I realized how much a part of me that is until now. I'm beginning to realize that there might be different kinds of strengths. I thought it was either/or -- you were either thick-skinned and strong or emotional and weak. But now I'm realizing that might not be the case. Actually, now I'm realizing that it's anything but... I don't know if any of that makes sense -- what I'm trying to say is that while I will always wish I could help and hang in there, I know the kind of person I am and what I'm capable of. And I understand that it's ok that I wasn't capable of this, as much as it kind of sucks. But that doesn't stop me from being grateful to those that are. Thank you for your perspective and, as always, for your support. <strong>Sam</strong>: I know I've talked with you this past week, but I want to say, once again, thanks for your friendship as well. Truth be told, this may have been one of the most selfish things I've ever done, which might play a part into why I felt like such a failure. To put myself first and quit because I couldn't handle it when there were others witnessing much worse just sounds so many shades of wrong and weak and disappointing. But I've also realized that it was for the best -- because I wasn't in a position where I could help. And I really do believe, especially where I am right now, as I said in the post, that it would have done more harm than good. I appreciate your support -- and everyone else's -- with this decision, as it wasn't an easy one to make, but I think it was the right one for all involved. And I've learned from it. And maybe that's the most important part, after all. Thanks, Sam. So much, for everything. Greymous: I can’t tell you how this comment speaks to me. I’ve always known that I’ve been an incredibly emotionally-intuitive person, but I don’t think I realized how much a part of me that is until now. I’m beginning to realize that there might be different kinds of strengths. I thought it was either/or — you were either thick-skinned and strong or emotional and weak. But now I’m realizing that might not be the case. Actually, now I’m realizing that it’s anything but…

I don’t know if any of that makes sense — what I’m trying to say is that while I will always wish I could help and hang in there, I know the kind of person I am and what I’m capable of. And I understand that it’s ok that I wasn’t capable of this, as much as it kind of sucks. But that doesn’t stop me from being grateful to those that are. Thank you for your perspective and, as always, for your support.

Sam: I know I’ve talked with you this past week, but I want to say, once again, thanks for your friendship as well. Truth be told, this may have been one of the most selfish things I’ve ever done, which might play a part into why I felt like such a failure. To put myself first and quit because I couldn’t handle it when there were others witnessing much worse just sounds so many shades of wrong and weak and disappointing. But I’ve also realized that it was for the best — because I wasn’t in a position where I could help. And I really do believe, especially where I am right now, as I said in the post, that it would have done more harm than good. I appreciate your support — and everyone else’s — with this decision, as it wasn’t an easy one to make, but I think it was the right one for all involved. And I’ve learned from it. And maybe that’s the most important part, after all. Thanks, Sam. So much, for everything.

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