Comments on: The Illusion of Superiority

By: Cathy

Cathy — Tue, 13 Jun 2017 17:08:11 +0000

Lucky! I hardly ever see them here; and I’m impressed you could i.d. it, but Shari is your wife. They are quite exotic-looking.

By: Brian Dolleman

Brian Dolleman — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 20:30:36 +0000

Thank you Cathy. I love this reminder to be companions rather than competitors and to see myself as walking with those around me, not running against them. And your word picture of a constant barometer in your head ranking yourself against those around you—wow… I think we all know this struggle.

On another note—today, I was sitting on the back porch and the trees were busy and noisy with birds. An adult male western tanager flew in and landed on a branch, just long enough for me to see its bright orange head and yellow body (but not long enough for me to snap a picture). It was my first time seeing one of these.

By: Cathy

Cathy — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 17:02:35 +0000

I’ve missed your posts–glad to see your thoughts again. My upbringing left me with a tangible sense of never being enough in so many areas, coupled with the tension of always feeling I had to prove myself to those around me. What I remember of the foundational church teaching was that I had to earn God’s attention, and that we were the “true” church. A real “us-and-them” outlook. I have a constant barometer in my head that ranks me against those around me, in spite of my best efforts to turn it off. It shows up especially as I rub shoulders within the art world. So the “competitor/companion” exhortation is helpful–to help see myself as walking with those around me, and not running against. Thanks.