General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: A Raid on the Unspeakable [View all]Thank you for your response. It means a lot to me.
In my youth, I was a violent person. The vast majority of my outward expressions of violence took place in the boxing ring. I was good enough to be covered in boxing magazines by the time I was 13. Looking back from this vantage point of old age, I recognize that, as a child who existed in violent circumstances, it was probably better that I channeled it in the ring.
There were other violent episodes, too. I came from a poor family, and being the youngest of five, my school clothes were generally rather shabby hand-me-downs. I didn't get picked on a lot, for two reasons: first, I could fight; and second, my oldest brother was a professional fighter, who loved street fights. From him, I learned to stand up to those who bullied others; this, of course, risks using any excuse for fighting.
Now days, I spend a significant amount of time out at my pond, reading, praying, and meditating. I can pray for my "enemies," and for other terrible people. That comes easy. But I do have to sometimes focus on self-discipline in public: old and pathetic as I am, it is at times tempting to physically confront bullies, etc. Likewise, more frequently, in the arena of town and city board meetings, I find that it can be hard for me to hold my tongue, and not speak harshly to people I find annoying.