More than Youthful Innocence

Loss
Virginity, virginity, when you leave me, where do you go?
I am gone and never come back to you.
I never return.
— Sappho (630-570 BC)—Translated by Willis Barnstone

Wonder Wrapped in a Smile

More than Youthful Innocence

Loss
Virginity, virginity, when you leave me, where do you go?
I am gone and never come back to you.
I never return.
— Sappho (630-570 BC) - Translated by Willis Barnstone

In the ethereal realm where twilight dances with the veils of time, a whispered tale unfolds, adorned with the splendor of youthful innocence. Virginity, oh elusive muse, doth thou not linger upon my threshold? Where dost thou venture upon thy departure, forsaking a return to mine humble abode? Alas, thy presence remains naught but a fleeting mirage, forever eluding my grasp.

As I ponder the mysteries of thy departure, my thoughts drift towards the annals of history. It is said that virginity, once relinquished, fades into the depths of the past, leaving behind an indelible mark upon the tapestry of one's being. Like a phoenix reborn, innocence takes flight, forever transformed, and never to be reclaimed.

The ancient scribes, with their quills dipped in ink, have chronicled tales of maidenhood lost and the bittersweet wisdom that ensues. In the mythic labyrinth of Greek lore, the story of Persephone, daughter of Demeter, resonates with echoes of lost purity. Her innocence, stolen by Hades, consigned her to the realm of the underworld, forever separated from the joys of her youth. Yet, in her longing for what was once hers, Persephone unearthed the seeds of her own growth, ultimately ascending to a position of power and wisdom as the Queen of the Underworld.

Virginity, an intangible veil woven delicately upon the fabric of one's existence, is not lost in vain. It is a rite of passage, a metamorphosis that propels the human spirit into the realm of experience and self-discovery. With every step taken beyond the threshold of innocence, a new chapter of life unfolds, revealing the vast depths of the human soul.

Oh, virginity, thou art a reflection of the human condition, a testament to our inherent curiosity and the yearning for knowledge. It is through the shedding of this ethereal shroud that we embark upon a pilgrimage of understanding, leaving behind footprints upon the sands of time. Like a magnum opus, our lives become an intricate tapestry, interwoven with the threads of joy, sorrow, triumph, and defeat.

But let us not lament the departure of virginity, for it is in the loss that we find growth. As the French poet Charles Baudelaire once mused, "Genius is no more than childhood recaptured at will, childhood equipped now with man's physical means to express itself, and with the analytical mind that enables it to bring order into the sum of experience, involuntarily amassed."

In the grand symphony of human existence, virginity's departure heralds the beginning of a lifelong journey towards self-realization and the pursuit of wisdom. It is an awakening, a clarion call to embrace the complexities of life and transcend the boundaries of innocence. So, let us bid adieu to virginity, knowing that its absence is but a catalyst for the blooming of the intellect and the flowering of the soul.

References:

Persephone - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persephone

Huh?

The greatest scholars are not usually the wisest people.
— Geoffrey Chaucer's (1343-1400)

The titled responsion is "huh?"

Do you get my point?

Huh?

Some people will never learn anything, for this reason, because they understand everything too soon.
— Alexander Pope (1688-1744)

The titled responsion is "Huh?".

How are the two variations of huh different? How about one more?

Huh?

Some people will never learn anything, for this reason, because they understand everything too soon.
— Luis de Góngora (1561-1627)

The titled responsion is...

Arrival as an early outcome confined by ignorance is an imagined alternative to common sense that expands the problem of knowledge. An option to all but the conceiver, the bliss of being content regardless of contradiction, is ironic and a tautology. Capture and release the thoughts that limit your questionable existence, explore the Existential and counterpoint the angst with the pluralistic alternatives of the ages. God may be dead, but Goodness dies only with humanity.

What is your definition of a successful life? If you have any idea of what life is about, you would undoubtedly answer, "It depends." This answer is probably the most accurate of all the definitions, as it is complicated to put one's life into words. To define it is not to say that there is no such thing as a successful life, only that some people will never know anything as they already know too soon.

To understand success, you must know what it does not mean. Success does not mean being rich or wealthy, it does not mean that you are good in school or at work, it does not mean you are successful in social situations, and it does not even mean that you are satisfied with your current situation. Success is an attitude of life that gives life meaning and purpose.

So what are the characteristics of a successful life? Some people are successful because they are happy, content, and healthy. They do not spend their time complaining about their circumstances; they enjoy their lives and know they will get better in them.

Some people choose a more challenging path toward success, and others prefer a less complicated approach. For example, some people take the more arduous road to success and go to college for a degree, whereas others may decide on a business as a career route.

Others have chosen a more difficult path to achieve their goals and achieve a successful life. Some people choose a career requiring more self-discipline and a willingness to work hard. Some people prefer sports as their career path, which requires hard work and dedication. Some people choose a life of leisure by spending their free time doing things they enjoy and learning about new things daily.

Achieving a successful life is not just about choosing a career but also about choosing a way of life. Do you love doing volunteer work and helping other people? Do you have a hobby that you are passionate about? Are you dedicated to your family and friends?

Success does not just happen. It has to be earned and built. If you are interested in writing articles, do not just sit down at home on your couch and expect to write a good essay in a day - you have to get out, take action, get out into the real world, and meet people.

Success comes to those who put in the effort and sweat it out. Do not force yourself into a routine that will not allow you to relax and let your natural personality shine through; instead of working hard, you should try to make your schedule and allow your biological traits and talents to shine through. This is the best way to achieve a successful life.

You should never feel like you must conform to any schedule or plan while striving toward a successful life. You should follow your heart and mind and allow them to guide you toward success.

The good news is there are many ways to achieve success. Many people will choose one method of achieving their goal and follow it to the letter, but if this is your goal, I suggest you take the more challenging road.

Success is something that is earned over time. Some people will choose a challenging path and pursue it over a more challenging one - some will choose a more straightforward yet complex approach and achieve it successfully - and so on. There is no right or wrong way to achieve success.

Life is about choices, and it is up to you to make the choice and decide what path you want to follow. No matter how complex your journey, it will only be as difficult as you are willing to make it.

It's not what you say; it's how you say it.

The truth is the kindest thing we can give folks in the end.
— Harriet Beecher Stowe (1811-1896)

The titled responsion is "It's not what you say, it's how you say it." What follows is subject to revision. Do you have any suggestions?

Speech acts of truth are a skill we cultivate and develop. Rhetoric without the pejorative should be appreciated for what it is; a representation of beauty. Intention matters, not in the material sense but in the relational understanding of forming genuine connections with the people around you.

It's an old and noble saying, but the truth is the kindest thing we can do to others is help them through what they are going through. When we can give the help, they can then help us.

We are all in the same boat, and I think many people struggle with their personal life, work, and family issues. When I was struggling, I asked, "What is the truth is the kindest thing we can do for others?" I also found it one of the most important things I ever did.

I don't think that there is anything that could be harder than trying to get your kids to go to school and then coming back to find out that they are sick or need to stay home because they are in trouble or the police are at the house because they got into drugs. What can you do to stop this? How do you get your kids to do what you want? What about the parents? And how can you get your kids to follow your example and not do drugs?

We do all of these things by helping those in need. The truth is the kindest thing we can do for others is to help them through what they are going through.

When I had a hard time dealing with my personal life, I realized what it is like not to be able to help those around me. I felt the same way when I heard my mom in the kitchen washing the dishes for no reason.

It's only natural to feel some of the pain I was going through because I was having difficulty dealing with my own. Now I think most people will admit to having a hard time occasionally. Most people will also acknowledge that their lives are filled with heartache. But the truth is the kindest thing we can do for others is to help them through what they are going through.

My mom would tell me, "The truth is the hardest thing we can do for you," when I was having the most challenging time with school. But I don't know that she struggles daily, and her problems are just as much of a struggle.

So I decided to help my mom, and that is how I came to learn the truth is the kindest thing we can do for others. And not do for them.

There are many reasons why I was having a hard time, I was going through a divorce, and my mom was having problems with depression. All of this is a lot to deal with.

I thought that if I could help my mom through these things, then maybe I could help myself through mine. But the truth is the kindest thing we can do for someone who needs it is to be supported by us.

I started looking around for ways I could help my mom; one way of helping her through her problems was to talk about them and let her know I was having a hard time. I wanted her to understand that I didn't know what it was like without me and that I loved her more than anything.

I talked to her about her problems and helped her have hope and find out how she could continue and be happy and have hope for the future. I was able to do this for her.

Oh The Innocence

The soul is healed by being with children.
— Fyodor Dostoevsky (1821-1881)

The titled responsion is "Oh The Innocence." What follows is subject to revision. Do you have any suggestions?

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