"I wanted only to try to live in accord with
the promptings which came from my true self.
Why was that so very difficult?"
For Debra, Christmas 1992
Well, it's Christmas again, which means it's time for another Hesse novel. This year's selection is the absolute best. As before, in order to make this modest gift a bit more personal, I've included the underlining and notations that I made during my initial reading. So when you read, you can see what ideas appealed to me and think something like, "Jason WOULD like something like this."
I really do recommend that you read this one, Debrah. There's no better or more enlightening book on the development of self, the repudiation of convention, and the value of authenticity. As you've been told, the unexamined life is not worth living.
I hope you'll give the book a try. I'm sure it would speak to you, as you are too valuable to be just a part of any herd. Self actualization is seldom pleasant and never easy, but the greatest among us are capable of it.
Affectionately,
Jason
i'm going to try to steer clear of any basic college chatter here...if you'd like to receive my mass mailed monthly-or-so college update, send me a note at franske@stolaf.edu and i'll add you to the list.
in other news, jonathan chamberlain sent me a quality e-mail today. i'm a big fan of jon. his eyes make me smile. i look forward to seeing him at christmas...or apparently maybe at a tiki show, if i understood him correctly. i also got a letter from the johnsons. how awesome are real letters? i put it up on my wall. i'm building a wall again, next to my bed. it's pretty skimpy so far. i brought a few things from home. as time goes on it will grow. i haven't had a wall since january 18th. hehe.
now that i'm done confusing you, i'm going to work on getting a job. it's borderline impossible here, honestly.