Sparring

whilst i remember, i want to record this - the importance of having someone to 'spar with'.

had to meet someone for discussion over something today, not that i was prepared for it. It wasnt long, but it left a few thoughts in my mind.

i realised it had been very good for me, that i always had people that would 'pick my fault'. That had helped me immensely in many, many ways. It also sharpened my understanding and perceptions. I always listen to criticism, no matter how it hurts. Not that i have much choice especially when i was young.

i felt had the person had my 'opportunities', how much more enhanced he/she would have been. It is never good to be on a platform of your own, with territorial boundaries, self-assured and contained. And that mode would in turn mould one's mentality into a fixed, if not, fixated frame. a sort of cocoon basically for self-preservation.

Experience is a double-edged sword. And when one limits one's own, and limit TO one's own (ie assuming one's propositiion/reason is right/superior), well, one cant be sure if that is 'experience'....a pity...its a pity because there is quality there...but the lack of enlargement, the lack of opportunities in having someone to 'spar with' led to so much limitations, if not some detriment.
===================================================
had the weekly chat with ld , and that is always refreshing and something to learn... again my good 'fortune' to have a few such like friends dc, vl, sy... who both think and read; and love math, and the teaching of it, seeing things from different perspectives... friendly sparring mates...

iron sharpeneth iron....