Support for the Troops

I am heartened today for two reasons. The first is actually a comment by Elizabeth, which should be allowed right now on the previous post. I was sincerely touched by her interest in my personal well being. In answer, I am not depressed, and a post on my day to day activities will be forthcoming soon, but I wanted to comment, and thank her for her concern.

The second is the article on support of the troops in America. It is joyful to me to hear that people at home still look at us as individuals responsible on an individual level, and as basically moral people trying to do our best in difficult times. Most soldiers are good people, although all of them have their weaknesses. And I am glad that even though there are bad things that happen here, people realize that, and look at us as people doing our best.

We received a package from some organization that I do not recognize, but they concluded that they hoped to continue to send things to soldiers until "All the soldiers come home." It occured to me that this could very well be an organization opposed to the war, but nevertheless, they are truly supportive of us here. That is great.

Finally, if anyone wonders what they could do to support soldiers, I think the biggest thing is respect them. Not as gods, or saints, because that we surely are not, but as people. And maybe listen to their stories, (I know they are boring, but sometimes they just want to tell them to someone :-))

Support for the Troops

I am heartened today for two reasons. The first is actually a comment by Elizabeth, which should be allowed right now on the previous post. I was sincerely touched by her interest in my personal well being. In answer, I am not depressed, and a post on my day to day activities will be forthcoming soon, but I wanted to comment, and thank her for her concern.

The second is the article on support of the troops in America. It is joyful to me to hear that people at home still look at us as individuals responsible on an individual level, and as basically moral people trying to do our best in difficult times. Most soldiers are good people, although all of them have their weaknesses. And I am glad that even though there are bad things that happen here, people realize that, and look at us as people doing our best.

We received a package from some organization that I do not recognize, but they concluded that they hoped to continue to send things to soldiers until "All the soldiers come home." It occured to me that this could very well be an organization opposed to the war, but nevertheless, they are truly supportive of us here. That is great.

Finally, if anyone wonders what they could do to support soldiers, I think the biggest thing is respect them. Not as gods, or saints, because that we surely are not, but as people. And maybe listen to their stories, (I know they are boring, but sometimes they just want to tell them to someone :-))

What is Hard

Whoever said that the hardest step is the first one, never walked very far.

I am starting to learn what the meaning of hard really is. I know that sometimes that the hardest part is getting started, but at the same time that is because my parents taught me that you should never quit until you are done. As a result, I am one of the people who view tasks like tunnels without doors until you are complete.

There are however, many other people who do not see tasks in the same way. They look at them as options, and to consider the work done as sunk costs. In that way, a more economic way to be sure, tasks can be abandoned at any time.

The reason this is on my mind, is that pretty much every day I don't want to get up. I am not all that tired, usually, and the tasks aren't that pleasant. By the same token, the results aren't that visible, and so it is hard to feel like I am doing anything.

I think that this is why most great undertakings are so easily abandoned. Anything large is going to progress relatively slowly, and therefore it will be discouraging to any participants. However, be it raising a child or fighting a war, the hard things have to get done. Sometimes, we need to just ignore our fears, and our feelings, and do the right thing. That is really hard.