Betty's Opinion Page

(continued)  On being "able to let go" he mentions that "When the doctors asked if I wanted to pull the plug on my ma, I didn’t blink an eye. They let that old hag go and I stole all of her medication and had a wild weekend in Vegas on her insurance money." 

And then on "following through" Dr. Shin says "I always finish what I start. For instance, the 12 pack of Pabst Blue Ribbon sitting beside me right now, which should be making my writing more and more sloppy and miserable." The point. . . One of Kendra's "tell tale signs of emotional maturity" that he chose not to share is a "clear perception. Emotionally mature persons have an undistorted perception of themselves, others, and the world. These persons have few if any trance filters running on their experience." Every one of Dr. Shin's experiences is accompanied by some Pabst Blue Ribbon or whiskey. I'm pretty sure both can be considered a "trance filter." 

Now, Kendra also mentions a requirement is that one "can work cooperatively with others. Emotionally mature individuals attempt to work through conflicts with others and are skilled at conflict resolution." In proving his emotionally mature ability to "listen to others" Dr. Shin explains "I’ll listen to people’s excuses as to why they’re not paying me back for any loans. But invariably I’ll head butt them anyway." This is not a cooperative attempt to working through conflict with others. Does it even need pointing out?? I apologize if I've insulted the intelligence of our surely worthy readers. But the fact is, I'm baffled he would be so careless with his points. A few of the other tell tale signs of emotional maturity Dr. Shin seemed to lose track of include 

*Recognize the long-term consequences of their behavior. These persons can see the outcomes of potential behavior and can weigh the potential consequences. Choices in their lives are weighed with some forethought. (Shin admits to having "smoked 60 or more cigarettes a day since [he] was 15." What is the likelihood of this man ha! not knowing the "long-term consequences" of smoking when it's written directly on every pack of cigarettes?) 

*Eat right, exercise, and sleep well. Emotionally mature and healthy individuals mirror their emotional health in their bodies. (His health regimen includes booze, cigarettes, choice insomnia. . .) *Patience and frustration tolerance. Emotionally mature individuals are highly patient and are not easily frustrated. ("At first, I was thankful for the snowstorm for the heated argument between Dr. Shin and our guide on the numbing capabilities of various forms of alcohol. . ." This quote from Miah and several from Dr. Shin himself help support that the doc has a consistent lack of patience and experiences high levels of frustration regularly.) 

*Behave in an ethical manner. These persons are honest in their dealings with others and avoid deceptive practices. (Has spoken openly about the unethical behavior of stealing, being married to three different women, etc. . .) *Compassion. Emotionally mature individuals behave in a compassionate and thoughtful manner toward others. (As for Dr. Shin. . .no problem killing his mother, left Miah on top of a mountain with a deadly beast, and fucks "loose women" while he's married . . . to three different people!) And as far as the status of my own emotional maturity. . .I don't remember ever claiming I'm personally more mature than anyone. (Although. . .after analyzing Dr. Shin's mature-less emotional life, it's a definite possibility that I am more mature emotionally than he.) I admit, at the very least, to some emotional IMMATURITY on a regular basis. What I do with my spare time (not ALL my time) is bound to be inspired by maturity lacking activity when I'm expected to be mature in all the other moments filling my days. The world deserves another Miah or two. 

-Betty