Past (04/29/13)
Principles
Life
A Man Stands Alone
I heard the statement, a long time ago, “a man stands alone.” Maybe it’s a bit exaggerated but it does seem true. From reading, listening, personal experience it does seem that men, particularly beginning in their 30's and 40's, end up standing alone. If you are doing well and
your life is full, this might not be as evident. It is when you are not doing well, or going against the grain without having given up, that the isolation is felt. Family, friends, peers, community and women, are not there for support and you are alone. Somehow, from
what I see, women, when faced with difficult times, have more safety nets, help, sympathy or pity coming from family, friends, strangers, government and charities. Perhaps they are less prideful. Some might see this as conditioning, others as innate, but that is for another discussion.
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Curiously, an old friend Steve (born an Irish Catholic) befriended a young soon to be rabbi who seemed to have it together. The rabbi lived in a tight community, had two young children and was studying to be confirmed as a rabbi. Previously he had earned a living in the music industry and supported himself through these skills. He had a non-Jewish wife who converted to orthodoxy. Steve mentioned my statement, “a man stands alone,” to him and it gave him pause. Later, when his life began to fall apart, when his wife
could no longer keep up being orthodox, when his economics suffered, when he was no longer youthful (the kid), and when his community could do just so much for him but really wasn’t there for him, I’m sure the words “a man stands alone” came to mind.
Principles
Life
A Man Stands Alone
I heard the statement, a long time ago, “a man stands alone.” Maybe it’s a bit exaggerated but it does seem true. From reading, listening, personal experience it does seem that men, particularly beginning in their 30's and 40's, end up standing alone. If you are doing well and
your life is full, this might not be as evident. It is when you are not doing well, or going against the grain without having given up, that the isolation is felt. Family, friends, peers, community and women, are not there for support and you are alone. Somehow, from
what I see, women, when faced with difficult times, have more safety nets, help, sympathy or pity coming from family, friends, strangers, government and charities. Perhaps they are less prideful. Some might see this as conditioning, others as innate, but that is for another discussion.
.
Curiously, an old friend Steve (born an Irish Catholic) befriended a young soon to be rabbi who seemed to have it together. The rabbi lived in a tight community, had two young children and was studying to be confirmed as a rabbi. Previously he had earned a living in the music industry and supported himself through these skills. He had a non-Jewish wife who converted to orthodoxy. Steve mentioned my statement, “a man stands alone,” to him and it gave him pause. Later, when his life began to fall apart, when his wife
could no longer keep up being orthodox, when his economics suffered, when he was no longer youthful (the kid), and when his community could do just so much for him but really wasn’t there for him, I’m sure the words “a man stands alone” came to mind.
Comments
1. 04/30/13 Writing 11. A Man Stands Alone
Tom
Very good Steve.....standing alone temporarily is important for nourishment because it allows other things in to awareness. So it's not necessarily a negative, unless loneliness slips in. The big picture is that all is connected makes natural sense so it
is just not human connectivity but all things natural. Keep em coming!
1. 04/30/13 Writing 11. A Man Stands Alone
Tom
Very good Steve.....standing alone temporarily is important for nourishment because it allows other things in to awareness. So it's not necessarily a negative, unless loneliness slips in. The big picture is that all is connected makes natural sense so it
is just not human connectivity but all things natural. Keep em coming!
2. 04/29/13 Writing 11. A Man Stands Alone
"T"
Hi Steve: All is status quo around here. I do agree with Man stands alone, I've observed this over the years with many different men whom I've known. It's a long discussion we might have one day, But I do know one thing.........I could live without a man or the man in my life, but not easily without my woman friends. bye for
now.
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