[GirlNextDoor]

I shall await your return with breathless anticipation. ;>)

What charming replies. :) But start breathing again, please!
Breathing patterns have an effect on the mind, then the mind further effects the breathing, and so on ... many times with amazing results! (Even a "baby", as you call me, knows that ;-)

I read some more of the thread (sitting on my hands to keep from replying to some of them!) and I'm glad I took the time.

"males have always honored the female of the species,
It is how we are wired; no one had to instruct us to act in that manner.
change the individual involved into a child, and you see some quite, quite stupid chances taken -repeatedly. We all know: we must get the child out of danger!

I see in your post #541 that you realize women do have some wiring designed for protection, too. Fierce protection where children are concerned, I might add.
Our size and strength may only enable us w/ a quieter, gentler protection for a man, but still powerful.
Though I would argue with your comment that women ever held all the power. Men also held, do hold, women's lives in their hands, like it or not.
Sadly, today it appears both women and men, in general, have deviated from their natural pulls to honor/protect eachother.

"I simply can not agree with your opinion that men held the best interest of the woman higher than his own. Just as I would not agree with the opinion that women did."

"I am greatly saddened to hear of your disagreement...There was a time, when this was absolutely true, and some still indeed believe in this manner. Women as well. "

Just to clarify: my comment(s) are really more general rather than specifically directed. Men , in general - women, in general. And most in the context of today's society.

I'm steering a bit off topic, again, here. But:

Perhaps it might be helpful to mention that when someone is in pain, they tend to lash out in pain. During the dissolution of a relationship, where one of the participants is incredulous about it and fighting unbelief that the one they care for so much is telling them that the feelings are not returned -indeed, 'uncaring' is the painful summation... they tend to take actions and make comments that are deliberately designed to hurt. We are all, I think, guilty of such actions at one time or another.

Then they are just fooling themselves and attempting to fool the other.
If they trulycared "so much" they wouldn't deliberately hurt. If they honestly held that person's interest higher than their own, they wouldn't be lashing out to relieve their own pain through causing pain to the other. Both emotions can't exist together.

I think I understand anger and how it works, I don't believe on this topic we're talking about the sudden flare up but relationship-damaging hurting. Where true care and higher regard for someone else honestly exists, one would accept and wish the person happiness and success. Not attempt to hurt them or overpower them in order to force their own way. How can it be otherwise?

That does not mean you should give up on all others, especially one as young as you... and have yet to meet some of the real treasures that are out there.

Thank you, but, really I don't! I enjoy accepting each person as an individual and as they come. I have met some treasures, too!:-)

"Encouraging", is it? Well, we shall have to see about providing more of that, no doubt. *smile* "

Yes, and you did very well, thank you. :-)
But I'm curious...

we need to realize the folly thereof and figure out some method to come together and decide how best to resolve the mess, such as actually getting together and formulating some concrete actions.

How do you suggest we come together and "bell the cat" ?

[Utilizer]

What charming replies. :)

What alluring incentive. ;<)

But start breathing again, please!

I shall try, but with continued exposure to such a fascinating commentator, such might prove to be somewhat difficult without constant reminders. *smile*

Breathing patterns have an effect on the mind,...

Ah, lassie; trust Me when I say that breathing is not the only thing affecting My mind thus far.

I read some more of the thread (sitting on my hands to keep from replying to some of them!) -Oooh, now THERE'S a mental picture worth noting!- and I'm glad I took the time.

As am I. Doubtless you now have a better understanding of why I hold the positions I do than at your initial summation.

I see in your post #541 that you realize women do have some wiring designed for protection, too. Fierce protection where children are concerned, I might add.
Our size and strength may only enable us w/ a quieter, gentler protection for a man, but still powerful.

Where to begin on this one... As always, I do realize that women have some wiring designed for protection as well, nor have I ever attempted to diminish or demean the capabilities of women for any reason. Indeed, the core of My position in this matter has been that both males and females are two parts of a combined whole. Not exactly two halves, as that immediately pushes some to suspect that 'their' half is of less or more importance than the other, but more of a blending of two separate parts into a whole much greater than the sum of the two alone.
Perhaps the Far Eastern viewpoint sums it up best: A man's strength is as a rock; hard, solid, unyielding. A woman's strength is as water; soft, liquid, yielding to all. A rock may seem incredibly powerful, but its strenth is only in its unyielding firmness. Water may seem to be yielding to all, and the ultimate in conforming to any changes... but ultimately, water will defeat stone, and to attempt to classify one or the other as stronger or weaker is illogical in the extreme. Both have strenths, both have weaknesses. They are neither equal or unequal, merely different aspects of a much greater whole.

Though I would argue with your comment that women ever held all the power. Men also held, do hold, women's lives in their hands, like it or not.

I make that observation from the position that women are entrusted with the nurturing and instruction of the future generations, and from that standpoint they literally hold the fate of our entire species in their hands. We males entrust our offspring into your care, and set ourselves to providing and protecting for you even at the cost of our own lives. From that standpoint, females do indeed hold the greatest power imaginable.

Sadly, today it appears both women and men, in general, have deviated from their natural pulls to honor/protect eachother.

In general, on this we are agreed, oh beguileing one. However, I still maintain that the vast majority of males that I have known, and do know, wish passionately to find a special someone to honor and protect -and that will honor and respect them in return. Is this mostly fallen by the wayside in this day and age? Sadly, yes, but that does not mean that this is not something unhoped or unstriven for. Too, I will readily admit to being one of those with such a hope.