8 Comments

I am so sorry about the death of your Mom. She sounds like such a good Mom, and you were lucky to have each other.

I just taught a course this fall on Resilience in the Midst of Suffering and Adversity from a psychology perspective (I'm a psych professor). I am hoping to include religious and philosophical perspectives the next time I teach it, and I am going to include the three perspectives you noted here.

I myself am a Christian, and I think you missed something essential about Christian perspectives on suffering, which is the absolutely crazy idea that God understands our suffering intimately because he was incarnate as a human being and suffered as we do. And it was through Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection that we have hope. The idea of God suffering as a fellow human seems radical to me.

I wish you all the best as you mourn your Mom.

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Dec 28, 2022Liked by Dr. Nathanial Bork

It’s odd clicking “like” for this essay, as if to trivialize your embrace of the most foundational challenges any human can face. So we work with what we have. Thank you for remembering and honoring the woman who raised and loved you. It really matters when people do that. I’m not sure why exactly but it does. Thank you. And condolences on the hard losses of this past year.

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Dec 28, 2022Liked by Dr. Nathanial Bork

This is fantastic, thank you. As a classicist, I have an easy excuse for working a little Marcus Aurelius and Epictetus into every one of my courses. My students always thank me for it.

Finally, my deep condolences for your losses and travails this year.

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I am sorry for the loss of your mom. She sounds remarkable & I'm glad she brought you into her home at 11. I'm also sorry for the other losses you've had this year. I pray you find a warm place to stay permanently soon. I did the couch-surf/car living thing briefly in my early 20s & it's not easy. Thank you for what you do for your "tribe". Kindness matters. Showing people that they are cared for, matters.

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