Gregory Stock, Ph.D The Book of Questions

Gregory Stock, Ph.D The Book of Questions prompts — Does the fact that you have never done something before increase or decrease its appeal to you?

It depends on the thing. Jumping out of an airplane was on my list of to-dos. I haven’t done that before, and I know I’m too old and out of shape to go for it. Maybe twenty years younger, I might do it.

Then there are other things that I have no interest in, and I don’t think it has anything to do with whether I have done it before or not. Getting old is more what I consider when planning an event that I may want to do, but have to consider if I can do that, whether I've done it before, or not.

I love going into the BWCA (Boundary Water Canoe Area,) and I went up with my son last when his buddy bailed on him. That was probably six years ago or so. At that time, I thought it might be tough, even though I had been up there thirty-plus times.

I love it there, so I still go up and stay in a cabin. That will be the next time, too.

Gregory Stock, Ph.D The Book of Questions prompts — At a meal, your friends start belittling a common acquaintance. If you felt their criticisms were unjustified, would you defend the person?

Yes. I may defend, but simply by saying that hasn’t been my experience, then changing the subject. I always think that if that happens, next time, the criticism could be about me. So I don’t want any part in gossip.

Gregory Stock, Ph.D The Book of Questions prompts — Do you usually make a special effort to thank someone who does you a favor? How do you act when you are not thanked for going out of your way for someone?

I like to believe that when someone does me a favor that I make a special effort to thank them. It probably happens nine times out of ten. When I am thanked or not thanked, I always think of it as I am working my recovery program, and I keep what I have by giving it away.

In that way, it isn’t to be thanked or not, it is a part of what I choose to do daily. Help someone without getting found out. That can be tough, but that is a part of what I choose to do.