Humble much?

Google gives this definition:

pre·ten·tious - Attempting to impress by affecting greater importance, talent, culture, etc., than is actually possessed.

You may have noticed that I think there is a lot of this going on in the modern magical community. Pretty much all of my more scathing opinions are rooted in this very idea.

So, said the caterpillar, whoooo are youuuuuu?

In other words, what gall do I have calling myself a wise woman at the tender age of 37 (or 38, I can never remember anymore), and going so far as to judge and offer opinions on these things?

Well, to start with, let me point out that rule number one around here is to take what works for you and leave the rest.  If you think I'm a total twit, such is your right, and please take your opinion and go read something that you respect. I'd appreciate a pointer as to why you think I'm a twit, and it would be awesome if you didn't actually call me a twit, or any other name, but simply gave me information, because I will always educate myself. I've spent my life doing exactly that, which is a really handy transition line into why I do have the gall to do this.

In many ways, I am an extremely fortunate person. I was born with a fast processor; in other words, academically gifted. This means that it took me way less effort than the average person to learn the basics. (It also meant I got a lot of shit and had horrible issues for years, but that's not my point right now. Just noting that I wasn't one of those golden children who are gifted and socially successful.) I also had educated parents, both thinkers and readers, who were excellent role models for continued and self education. So, from a young age, I was covering topics that other kids simply didn't have time for. Religion was a big one for me, because I had early on eliminated the Christianity that surrounded me as a viable religion for me, but I also really wanted the kind of community that one can get from a shared religion. (No, I still don't have that. Yes, it's kind of a bummer, but I'm okay with it now.) So, at the ripe old age of thirty-whatever, I've been studying religion (and related topics, like magic) informally (and occasionally formally) for over two decades. I have done this even more intensely over the last decade or so; I was fortunate to marry a person who was willing to support me while I figured myself out, and so, while other people were busy going to work every day to feed, clothe, and shelter themselves, I had someone else doing most of that for me, allowing me to examine myself, my friends and associates, and anything and everything I was interested in to a depth and breadth that most people simply never have the time for.

I have also been a very unfortunate person; I've suffered at the hands of bullies, abusive authority figures, love interests, even my best friends. I've had tremendous personal tragedies. I've had (and continue to have) problems with my health and my physical condition.  I have always had a roof over my head and food in my stomach, but often not much more than that. I have been through some shit, in other words, and I have come out the other side, stronger and more experienced whether I like it or not. If you believe that wisdom comes from suffering, I've certainly had a healthy share, is what I'm saying.

All of my life, I've been the advisor and the comforter, the one people turn to for an ear and some answers. I've given of myself too much, and learned to respect my limits. People have always interested me, and I've spent much of my life learning to understand them inside and out, through reading, personal interaction, analysis (of both myself and others), and even formal study. (I minored in anthropology in college!) The feedback I've gotten over the years is that I am, after all, very good at this stuff.

I'll never stop learning, researching, growing; my mind will always be open. But, yeah, I'm pretty effin' wise at this point. I take that title and wear it with confidence. If you have wisdom to share with me, I'm certainly interested to hear it. If you think I'm off base, I hope you let me know, ideally gently, 'cause for all that I'm tough as nails, I'm also a sensitive soul and it's mean to make me cry. But, more than anything, I hope that I can help you, any of you, in one way or another, because, in the end, that's what I'm really about; I'm a nurturer at the core of my being, and, even though I may not always be the most gentle or diplomatic, I only ever do or say anything with everyone's best interests at heart.

That is whoooo I am.

Comments

[Jake]

I would definitely give you credit for wisdom from your life experiences...

Some people are book smart, some people are life smart... you appear to have a good balance of both....

:) Nice post.