I used to play a game with my sister where we’d come up with the three things in the store which, in combination, would most likely cause the cashier to do a double-take: tarp, shovel, lime dust; National Enquirer, lube, Doritos.
Yeah, 3 is definitely more stable than just 2. 3-legged stools work better at supporting a load than 2-legged even though we might take pride in our ability to ride a bike, let alone a unicycle. Each of two and one require constant motion to stay upright. 3 allows stability even in "just talking," perhaps especially when the 3rd is not present, like in gossip. As you note, 3 allows more opportunity for story to emerge. 3 helps to relieve the need to talk to each other about subjects too tense, too personal, too scary to share directly. Having three allows us to hold inside what we dare not share...until one, or the other, is ready.
I love this, and I needed it *right now.* Emergency meeting of a volunteer group I co-lead in 21 minutes. Lucky to have a great group of volunteers to help make some decisions and strategies. My 3 things: tissue box; old Chianti bottle wound in raffia, with drippy candle; very promising large bud of flower I can’t remember the name of.
great idea! Like a three leaf clover - very normal. And from the last century department: let's not forget Gilligan's Island was a three hour tour! Three Dog Night sang about one as the loneliest number and that two can be as bad as one.
I am committed to the idea that 1 + 1 = 3. That must be why as an undergrad I switched from being a math major to philosophy. But, it might be true in mathematics too in some kind of quantum way. It relieves us from simplistic binary thinking and leads us to an awareness that truth is found in paradox. A third way? Plus it's lots more fun! And to that Holy Ghost thing as the third of three-I couldn't resist-I've always embraced the idea that within that wondrous Three is an ongoing conversation of love into which we are all invited. Whatever may be true, I hope we keep the conversation going.
Yeah, 3 is definitely more stable than just 2. 3-legged stools work better at supporting a load than 2-legged even though we might take pride in our ability to ride a bike, let alone a unicycle. Each of two and one require constant motion to stay upright. 3 allows stability even in "just talking," perhaps especially when the 3rd is not present, like in gossip. As you note, 3 allows more opportunity for story to emerge. 3 helps to relieve the need to talk to each other about subjects too tense, too personal, too scary to share directly. Having three allows us to hold inside what we dare not share...until one, or the other, is ready.
I love this, and I needed it *right now.* Emergency meeting of a volunteer group I co-lead in 21 minutes. Lucky to have a great group of volunteers to help make some decisions and strategies. My 3 things: tissue box; old Chianti bottle wound in raffia, with drippy candle; very promising large bud of flower I can’t remember the name of.
great idea! Like a three leaf clover - very normal. And from the last century department: let's not forget Gilligan's Island was a three hour tour! Three Dog Night sang about one as the loneliest number and that two can be as bad as one.
I am committed to the idea that 1 + 1 = 3. That must be why as an undergrad I switched from being a math major to philosophy. But, it might be true in mathematics too in some kind of quantum way. It relieves us from simplistic binary thinking and leads us to an awareness that truth is found in paradox. A third way? Plus it's lots more fun! And to that Holy Ghost thing as the third of three-I couldn't resist-I've always embraced the idea that within that wondrous Three is an ongoing conversation of love into which we are all invited. Whatever may be true, I hope we keep the conversation going.
Huey Duey and Louie
"A friend and I have been experimenting with the idea of banishing “longing” from our vocabularies, in favor of the more agency-infused “desire.”"
Yes!
I want. I want. I want.
In the vein of thirds and storytelling, I'll add this pearl of wisdom from my brother-in-law:
There's what *he* said.
There's what *she* said.
And there's what really happened.