I, too, appreciate the Serenity Prayer despite being entirely nontheistic. I also have a hard time answering it.
In borderline cases concerning asking for something, try phrasing it as a statement of preference or a humble request rather than a command; instead of “make me a sandwich while you’re in the kitchen” “oh man sandwiches sound delicious, would it be possible for me to get one too while you’ve got the bread out?”
As for balancing short and long term… I am this very moment in the process of struggling with the question.
instead of “make me a sandwich while you’re in the kitchen” “oh man sandwiches sound delicious, would it be possible for me to get one too while you’ve got the bread out?”
The point of that example was that it’s not a “while you’re there” request, it’s meant to be unreasonable—one end of a spectrum where the middle is murky. Someone else didn’t parse it as I intended either, so I’ll try to make it clearer.
I am this very moment in the process of struggling with the question
I, too, appreciate the Serenity Prayer despite being entirely nontheistic. I also have a hard time answering it.
In borderline cases concerning asking for something, try phrasing it as a statement of preference or a humble request rather than a command; instead of “make me a sandwich while you’re in the kitchen” “oh man sandwiches sound delicious, would it be possible for me to get one too while you’ve got the bread out?”
As for balancing short and long term… I am this very moment in the process of struggling with the question.
Well, that’s reassuring.
The point of that example was that it’s not a “while you’re there” request, it’s meant to be unreasonable—one end of a spectrum where the middle is murky. Someone else didn’t parse it as I intended either, so I’ll try to make it clearer.
Go to bed, LW will be here in the morning. ;)