I call it the departure of the provisional self. The provisional self is alert to others, conditioned for approval and judgement. It’s provisional because it’s always changing, adapting to the moment and the people and the situation. One single self wouldn’t do, really. The provisional self makes us good citizens, parents and friends. It’s on offense or defense according to situation, it’s wary and brave, and in some people is highly tuned to the nuance of others. We’re different selves at a funeral, when flying a kite, when buying a car. We have to be. There’s a provisional self for giving
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