From: rjf@dptg.att.com (51351[efw]-Robert Feddeler(MT4799)T343)
Subject: Re: Plea
Organization: AT&T/NCR, Lincroft, NJ, USA
Distribution: usa
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1992 17:25:20 GMT

In article <1992Nov18.010332.12466@cs.uwp.edu> itzenhui@cs.uwp.edu (Steve Itzenhuiser) writes:
>
>I am only 24 years old, but believe in previous lives (though I do not
>know what they were) and believe that I know a lot about this world--the
>way it works and why things happen when they happen, etc.  My
>understanding of the world lies in my understanding of myself.  This may
>sound truly bazaar to some of you, but I know that there are others out
>there like me and my friends--you're not alone.  However, out of all the
>knowledge that I have gained over the X-amount of life times that I have
 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ (see below)
>been on this earth, I can not, for the life of me understand LOVE!!!
>I am now interested in one particular woman (who I really hope doesn't
>read this).  She is intelligent and wise (a combination hard to find), and
>also quite stunning.  She has expressed interest in me, though I don't
>know to what extent, though that in itself can keep me in check for some time.
>My biggest problem, however, is that I become very absorbed into a woman
>and thus become anxious.  I don't know what to think when she does this or
>that, I don't quite know how to act and react.  I know that I should be
>myself, but I do so much want to be with her but I do not want to push her
>away.  I become quite stressed.  Do I relax, do I tell her of my anxiety,
        ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^  Another master of understatement!
>or what?  I would really appreciate a bit 'o advice.

Hey Steve... you're on your way!

In my opinion, the most useful definition of "knowledge" is "an awareness
of how much you don't know".  You can always "go find out", but first you
need to understand that there _is_ a question.  At age 24, you might be a
couple or three years behind schedule on this one, but it sounds like
you've just taken your first step toward being a "knowledgeable" person.

You could read this group for the next 50 years and still not _know_ what
the answers are.  The only advice I have for you is to 1) relax and
enjoy being 24, 2) realize that this woman is _not_ going to make or break
your whole life, and 3) save a copy of this and read it 16 years from now.
By then, you will be much more comfortable with the fact that you really
don't _know_ anything and that it really doesn't matter.  The best you can
do is make it up as you go along.  Every time _I_ think I know something,
they change the rules and, most of the time, they don't even call to tell me!

BTW, I don't mean this to sound cynical or condescending.  Your post
looks just like something I might have written years ago.  A very good
friend of mine (about 17 years my senior) tried to tell me to "role up
_my_ pants and slide on the ice" when I was about 21.  I couldn't do it.
I know how hard it is to put things in perspective now, but I can guarantee
that, years from now, this _will_ bring a "knowing" smile to your face.

What a long, strange trip it will be.  Good luck!


bob.				| An extremely "knowledgeable" person
Were these more than just my opinions, they would have cost a bit more.
Newsgroups: alt.romance