Xeluan

Even though I'm feeling a bit humbuggish about New Years Eve and all (I must be getting old). As I'm feeling a tad introspective this evening I offer the question, "What did you learn personally this year?" as thread for the the year's end.

Humility at realizing that my Father has been a great and positive influence on my life. I've avoided recognizing this for a while.

Clarity from an epiphany in which I realized the life of material pursuits and corporate ladder climbing is not for me. Not sure what I'm going to do but I know that such a life is not for me.

The aftermath of a 2 year relationship taught me that never again will I let my personality be subjugated by someone else for the sake of relationship.

Hope that 2003 is a good one for all you Infidels.

Xeluan

Puck

Since I've found II late this year...

That not everyone in the world is content to sit and watch sports and eat greasy snack foods.

That there are still thinking people out there.

That religion has permeated the American life more than I realized. I moved to this rural area 7 years ago and when I left the city, religion was still pretty much not an issue there. Now I wonder if that's still the case?

managalar

I realized I'm a lot more like my father than I ever thought. We've asked the same questions about life from an early age, and we both have subjected ourselves to relentless introspection. He terms things differently (spirits and gods and such), but besides from how we describe it, it�s the same.

Straight Hate

Wisdom gained?

My parents were always intelligent folk, but they are more objective and tolerant than I ever would have guessed. The conservative stereotype I had assigned them no longer fits the bill, and while this delights me to a large extent, I also feel a bit guilty for tagging them in such a manner.

Oh yes - I also learned that marriage is something I never want to experience. *cough* Can I get a 'hell yeah'?

Yggdrasill

After I found II in May, I have learned a lot. To mention a few things I have learned a lot about:

- Logic
- Advanced English
- Philosophical ideas
- The situation in the US
- Other peoples' viewpoints
- Just how deep-rooted ignorance and stupidity are in most people
- Just how drenched in religous bigotry the world is
- The motives for believing in a deity

But most importantly:

- My own ignorance
- The importance of keeping an open mind
- How most people seek the comfort of believing they know anything

The II has not been the only factor for my learning, but it has been an invaluable source of knowledge and inspiration. I haven't learned much apart from what I have learned on these boards that is of any real significance.

fuct_okc

What I've learned hmmm...

* I'm not nearly as smart as I thought I was
* When people say FINAL NOTICE they actually mean it
* I hate working in the private sectory
* A lot of people dislike libertarians
* I need to go back in to business for myself
* Weed is cooler than it was in high school...

None of the above is neccessarily wisdom, but hey, it works for me and that's all that matters.

ju'iblex

In real life, i learnt that there arent too many people out in this wide world who care, let alone act.

here, my pessimism went in to an evaluation stage. i learnt there is the smallest bit of hope, albeit a handful of people spread out over a plethora of countries.

Ronin

I couldn't find a better way to say that myself, ju'iblex.

I also found out that my temper can get the best of me ~ and that I can lose good friends by talking too much and not listening enough.

...should have learned that lesson years ago.

Oh yeah, and I don't jog anymore because it makes the ice jump right out of my rum and coke.

Pseudonymph

I learned that typing in italics like this just might piss people off....oops


Heh..just joshin' ya buddy.


I myself have learned that people who care and are truly intelligent actually do still exist. (thanks in most part to these fora)

I've learned the painful reality of death, and the beatuy of the short life we do have.

I've learned that sometimes we can't always put into words, what we want to say...and it's sometimes best to leave some things unsaid.

I've finally learned what love means to me...and how to keep from losing it like an idiot (like I almost did twice)

I've learned that choosing your battles wisely can be one of the most important things in keeping your love strong....As well as your friendships strong.



...So many other things, but these are the most obvious to me at the moment.

Hope everyone had a great year...and here's to another great year of debate, reason and good times!

HoundDog

Things I learned in 2002:

1. Some people are addicted to online message boards (myself included).
2. Dont give money to certain atheist organizations. Especially if they reserve the right to ban you from their online community without a valid reason.
3. Don't take your job too seriously.