James Riley
Banned
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2015
- Messages
- 1,821
Looking back on my life, it is clear that I peaked long ago (1984-1989). But it's not over and I could peak again, especially since my definition is unrelated to physical prowess, social standing, or professional competence. My definition has more to do with inner strength, inner peace and spiritual grounding.
I wondered about the difference between then and now. “Then” was much more hunting. “Then” was no internet. “Now” is less hunting, more responsibility, and what I think is an addiction to the internet. I've always been manic enough to easily break any addiction, but I have to go cold turkey to do it. I tend to fail at moderation. I see my son spending too much time in front of a screen.
I'm going to quit. But before I do so, I wanted to comment on hunting and this web site. It is fitting that you people, hunters, and talk of hunting, and the pictures, started me on the journey back to where I should be. I've spent twenty years surfing forums and arguing under many different pseudonyms on hundreds of diverse subjects, most of which are unrelated to hunting. I've even had people assume my name(s) for false flag. Some still follow me around on other sites. Usenet, back in the 90s was really a trip! But it's really all been for naught.
Until Hunt Talk.
Here I find that no matter what lies in a person's heart, as he/she is about to pull the trigger or release the arrow, and no matter how I personally feel about their chosen prey, weapon or methodology, they have at least put themselves out there and exposed themselves to a teacher called the Hunt. The first lesson is, the hunt is not about me, and if it becomes so, then I quit learning. This is what distinguishes hunters of any type, in my opinion, from so many people in today's world. We all love the hunt and to the extent we disagree, we must put our faith in the teacher, the Hunt, and let her work her magic.
Hers is almost a Socratic leading, with sometimes imperceptible change; but without a student, even a seemingly intractable student, she gets nowhere. Thus, just getting out there is the sign of a person who is willing to expose themselves to something larger than themselves, where they might learn, even if in spite of themselves. Finding people who get out there is getting scarce these days. It's time for me to go back. I have a lot more to learn. I'm just glad there are people here, better folks than me, who are defending the hunt and a place to do it, egalitarian.
Thank you all.
I wondered about the difference between then and now. “Then” was much more hunting. “Then” was no internet. “Now” is less hunting, more responsibility, and what I think is an addiction to the internet. I've always been manic enough to easily break any addiction, but I have to go cold turkey to do it. I tend to fail at moderation. I see my son spending too much time in front of a screen.
I'm going to quit. But before I do so, I wanted to comment on hunting and this web site. It is fitting that you people, hunters, and talk of hunting, and the pictures, started me on the journey back to where I should be. I've spent twenty years surfing forums and arguing under many different pseudonyms on hundreds of diverse subjects, most of which are unrelated to hunting. I've even had people assume my name(s) for false flag. Some still follow me around on other sites. Usenet, back in the 90s was really a trip! But it's really all been for naught.
Until Hunt Talk.
Here I find that no matter what lies in a person's heart, as he/she is about to pull the trigger or release the arrow, and no matter how I personally feel about their chosen prey, weapon or methodology, they have at least put themselves out there and exposed themselves to a teacher called the Hunt. The first lesson is, the hunt is not about me, and if it becomes so, then I quit learning. This is what distinguishes hunters of any type, in my opinion, from so many people in today's world. We all love the hunt and to the extent we disagree, we must put our faith in the teacher, the Hunt, and let her work her magic.
Hers is almost a Socratic leading, with sometimes imperceptible change; but without a student, even a seemingly intractable student, she gets nowhere. Thus, just getting out there is the sign of a person who is willing to expose themselves to something larger than themselves, where they might learn, even if in spite of themselves. Finding people who get out there is getting scarce these days. It's time for me to go back. I have a lot more to learn. I'm just glad there are people here, better folks than me, who are defending the hunt and a place to do it, egalitarian.
Thank you all.