I'm drawn to learning about all of the ins and outs, definitions and ideas around accountability. Accountably in different forms. What is isn't. all of it. It's really speaking to me this year.
Being Accountable-- I like it! It can be interpreted so many ways, including accountability to self, others, society at large, even countries. I'll put it on my list of topics to explore. Thank you!!
Oct 24, 2023·edited Oct 24, 2023Liked by Leanne Rose Sowul
"Character" has always confused me. Reading Jane Austen's novels helped a little because her unmarried heroines wanted men of "good character" as husbands. But Austen wasn't really clear on what that meant, and even her heroines made mistakes in assessing it (Elizabeth and Darcy, for example). Modern approaches are worse because they list dozens of attributes as part of character--who can live up to all of that all of the time? For example, see https://www.verywellmind.com/what-are-character-strengths-4843090
I think it's a wonderful topic for a newsletter. I look forward to your explorations as well as the thoughts of other commenters.
Thanks so much for your support, Mary Anne! I did have Jane Austen in the back of my mind when planning this topic, specifically the scene in P&P where Darcy describes his ideal woman, and Elizabeth tells him no one could live up to that. I didn't realize until I looked back at the scene that he's mostly describing accomplishments, and not innate character traits. When I was younger, I would've gravitated more toward being an "accomplished" woman, but I care more and more now about being a person of good character, in whatever way makes sense to me.
This is such a great topic! I’m glad you made the distinction between “goodest” and “best” self. As a fellow perfectionist, the latter term tends to give me anxiety that I’m not enough/doing enough, which rather than be motivating is more detrimental to my wellbeing.
I remember a quote from a television show that has guided me on this topic at times: “The success or failure of your deeds does not add up to the sum of your life. Measure yourself by the intention of your actions and the strength with which you faced the challenges that stood in your way.”
Excited to explore this topic with you and the community you’ve built.
Hi Justin! Thank you!! I cringe at the term "best self." It implies that we can reach an ultimate level of goodness that I don't think is healthy for fallible humans to strive for. I'm aiming for self-reflection, rather than self-improvement, in these posts.
I'm glad you're along for the ride with this new community!
I wish people possessed more kindness, as opposed to being offended when others don't follow the script because they don't know the script, even though they're "supposed" to know it. Not everyone can absorb the script by osmosis.
That's a wonderfully specific example, as it's not just about kindness but also openness to other experiences, empathy, and the ability to imagine how another person might perceive something. Overlapping character traits! Thank you for the suggestion!
I'm drawn to learning about all of the ins and outs, definitions and ideas around accountability. Accountably in different forms. What is isn't. all of it. It's really speaking to me this year.
Being Accountable-- I like it! It can be interpreted so many ways, including accountability to self, others, society at large, even countries. I'll put it on my list of topics to explore. Thank you!!
"Character" has always confused me. Reading Jane Austen's novels helped a little because her unmarried heroines wanted men of "good character" as husbands. But Austen wasn't really clear on what that meant, and even her heroines made mistakes in assessing it (Elizabeth and Darcy, for example). Modern approaches are worse because they list dozens of attributes as part of character--who can live up to all of that all of the time? For example, see https://www.verywellmind.com/what-are-character-strengths-4843090
I think it's a wonderful topic for a newsletter. I look forward to your explorations as well as the thoughts of other commenters.
Thanks so much for your support, Mary Anne! I did have Jane Austen in the back of my mind when planning this topic, specifically the scene in P&P where Darcy describes his ideal woman, and Elizabeth tells him no one could live up to that. I didn't realize until I looked back at the scene that he's mostly describing accomplishments, and not innate character traits. When I was younger, I would've gravitated more toward being an "accomplished" woman, but I care more and more now about being a person of good character, in whatever way makes sense to me.
This is such a great topic! I’m glad you made the distinction between “goodest” and “best” self. As a fellow perfectionist, the latter term tends to give me anxiety that I’m not enough/doing enough, which rather than be motivating is more detrimental to my wellbeing.
I remember a quote from a television show that has guided me on this topic at times: “The success or failure of your deeds does not add up to the sum of your life. Measure yourself by the intention of your actions and the strength with which you faced the challenges that stood in your way.”
Excited to explore this topic with you and the community you’ve built.
Hi Justin! Thank you!! I cringe at the term "best self." It implies that we can reach an ultimate level of goodness that I don't think is healthy for fallible humans to strive for. I'm aiming for self-reflection, rather than self-improvement, in these posts.
I'm glad you're along for the ride with this new community!
I wish people possessed more kindness, as opposed to being offended when others don't follow the script because they don't know the script, even though they're "supposed" to know it. Not everyone can absorb the script by osmosis.
Thank you for this endeavour!
That's a wonderfully specific example, as it's not just about kindness but also openness to other experiences, empathy, and the ability to imagine how another person might perceive something. Overlapping character traits! Thank you for the suggestion!
Wonderfully specific is what I'm all about! :-D