tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35449554.post2717370588972245977..comments2023-07-08T05:40:25.922-04:00Comments on Which Way Is Up?: Questioning A PassionSJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18085726186055340423noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35449554.post-24464614036101808692009-02-05T02:45:00.000-05:002009-02-05T02:45:00.000-05:00If our talents and interests are bestowed by God, ...If our talents and interests are bestowed by God, and they can bring positive emotion and zeal for life into the world and you--why do you agonize over it? I agree with Ezzie--balance between the "oughts" and the "permitted desires" is the way to go.Northern Lighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15969094667907320393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35449554.post-40321831094497133732009-02-03T09:49:00.000-05:002009-02-03T09:49:00.000-05:00--I love to do, but it is not deeply meaningful--s...--I love to do, but it is not deeply meaningful<BR/><BR/>--simply because I enjoy it, because it excites me in a unique way,<BR/><BR/>Those statements make no sense.Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08512231582715592098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35449554.post-69427204973445262192009-02-02T14:13:00.000-05:002009-02-02T14:13:00.000-05:00I think we're arguing semantics to some extent, as...I think we're arguing semantics to some extent, as I agree with your response to my last comment. I believe, though that psychological benefits and personal diversification (the former of which being more similar to Ezzie's answer of balance), are two reasons why it can be considered wise to pursue a hobby that does not produce obvious fruits. Your referring to it as a right strikes me as beingJosh M.https://www.blogger.com/profile/14414532577328945154noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35449554.post-21364558772987720852009-01-31T23:17:00.000-05:002009-01-31T23:17:00.000-05:00? Not meant to be cryptic, just basic... It's a ve...? Not meant to be cryptic, just basic... It's a very vague post, obviously; without knowing what you're referring to it's difficult to even attempt to weigh the factors. <BR/><BR/>That said, it seems that as with anything one would like to do, a balance must be made between what one would like to do and the sacrifices required to do it - and this will vary from situation to situation, person to Ezziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12494592434522239195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35449554.post-50787264130323866482009-01-31T20:00:00.000-05:002009-01-31T20:00:00.000-05:00Josh M. - when I called the decision a “practical”...Josh M. - when I called the decision a “practical” one, I did not mean to strip it of its moral context, by any means. Rather, I intended to convey that I require a moral/rational justification of some sort in order to allow me to pursue it—therefore making the question innately practical. <BR/><BR/>And while any investment of time creates inevitable sacrifices, I am asking the question under theSJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18085726186055340423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35449554.post-58738312761604410272009-01-30T16:01:00.000-05:002009-01-30T16:01:00.000-05:00Do you think God gifted people with talents for no...Do you think God gifted people with talents for no reason? What about those who are affected by your talent? Is it worthwhile to affect those people?Erachethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00660802321998349072noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35449554.post-52842736290055903502009-01-30T12:38:00.000-05:002009-01-30T12:38:00.000-05:00~Balance~~Balance~Ezziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12494592434522239195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35449554.post-24963951028339462012009-01-30T01:35:00.000-05:002009-01-30T01:35:00.000-05:00Your post reads as more of a moral question than a...Your post reads as more of a moral question than a practical one, but if one is looking at the question from the latter sense, I believe that it could be defended from a psychological standpoint, and perhaps also from the perspective of a valuation of personal diversification (not for its own sake, but due to the potential of later use).<BR/><BR/>One must decide what the end is that's being Josh M.https://www.blogger.com/profile/14414532577328945154noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35449554.post-65606653608856864692009-01-30T01:09:00.000-05:002009-01-30T01:09:00.000-05:00Josh - I am aware that halachically there is no co...Josh - I am aware that halachically there is no concept of rights, merely obligations. <BR/><BR/>I am not asking whether I have a God-given inviolable right to pursue my passion; rather, is it a wise, a justified decision to do so? It is not a halachic query, but a hashkafic or philosophical one, if you will--or perhaps, more simply, a practical one.SJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18085726186055340423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35449554.post-54902334420390343362009-01-30T00:26:00.000-05:002009-01-30T00:26:00.000-05:00What is the origin of this right (or lack thereof)...What is the origin of this right (or lack thereof)? If you're approaching the question from a halachic standpoint, I'm not sure that the concept of a right exists.Josh M.https://www.blogger.com/profile/14414532577328945154noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35449554.post-58699075274695576232009-01-29T16:06:00.000-05:002009-01-29T16:06:00.000-05:00Erachet - I don't really think that's an answer. W...Erachet - I don't really think that's an answer. Why should I spend time on just 'anything' that isn't harmful? Isn't time more precious than such a dismissive answer indicates?<BR/><BR/>And just to clarify, this post is not about writing. I believe that writing does have inherent value and therefore would not fall under the category of activities I am asking about.SJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18085726186055340423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35449554.post-5959700050644318422009-01-29T03:05:00.000-05:002009-01-29T03:05:00.000-05:00because I enjoy it, because it excites me in a uni...<I>because I enjoy it, because it excites me in a unique way, because it is a side of myself I don't often get to hone</I><BR/><BR/>If it's not an activity that is harmful or detrimental to you, then there is your answer. Why'd you stick a "simply" in front of that?<BR/><BR/>And now I shall go back to not being able to sleep.Erachethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00660802321998349072noreply@blogger.com