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Post by Matthew on Jun 15, 2019 17:28:53 GMT -5
Do we know?
In life we put on many faces. We change what we portray as our environment
changes around us. At church,a funeral,or a serious meeting, we are solemn and
thoughtful. At a party,we are funny and care free. But in the darkness, alone in the
silence of the night,Who are we then?
Do we ever truly look into our own souls? Do we honestly evaluate our goals and
ambitions? Can we objectively judge ourselves?
We reflect upon our past,our failures and successes. Do we give credit where it is due,
and accept blame when it is ours?
I don’t believe in altruism. In every good deed or service there is reward. If nothing more
than a sense of peace and contentment with ourselves. A knowledge that we have done
something to help another. Many times I have given or aided without anyone's knowledge
but my own. But it was for that elevation in my own self-perception that I took enjoyment
in helping.
But,I digress. Kind of.
It was said,”To your own self be true”
I would add,”To your own self be Honest and Merciful”
Where I can forgive just about anyone of anything,I fail to forgive myself
of anything great or small. I have spent days and weeks condemning myself
for actions or word from over 40 years back. The other people concerned have
forgotten and moved on. But,I remember,and,judge.
So here is my goal,and I would invite any to join with me.
Tonight,when I fill my pipe and lose myself in my thoughts,
I will give myself a pat on the back with a word of kindness.
Then,tomorrow,when I reach out to that lonely soul who needs
a hand,I can honestly feel good for being there to help.
You can forgive and be forgiven,but until you forgive yourself
you can’t learn and move on.
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Post by Cramptholomew on Jun 15, 2019 17:43:56 GMT -5
Do we know? In life we put on many faces. We change what we portray as our environment changes around us. At church,a funeral,or a serious meeting, we are solemn and thoughtful. At a party,we are funny and care free. But in the darkness, alone in the silence of the night,Who are we then? Do we ever truly look into our own souls? Do we honestly evaluate our goals and ambitions? Can we objectively judge ourselves? We reflect upon our past,our failures and successes. Do we give credit where it is due, and accept blame when it is ours? I don’t believe in altruism. In every good deed or service there is reward. If nothing more than a sense of peace and contentment with ourselves. A knowledge that we have done something to help another. Many times I have given or aided without anyone's knowledge but my own. But it was for that elevation in my own self-perception that I took enjoyment in helping. But,I digress. Kind of. It was said,”To your own self be true” I would add,”To your own self be Honest and Merciful” Where I can forgive just about anyone of anything,I fail to forgive myself of anything great or small. I have spent days and weeks condemning myself for actions or word from over 40 years back. The other people concerned have forgotten and moved on. But,I remember,and,judge. So here is my goal,and I would invite any to join with me. Tonight,when I fill my pipe and lose myself in my thoughts, I will give myself a pat on the back with a word of kindness. Then,tomorrow,when I reach out to that lonely soul who needs a hand,I can honestly feel good for being there to help. You can forgive and be forgiven,but until you forgive yourself you can’t learn and move on. That's pretty profound, my friend. And, I can relate on a very personal level. Thanks for posting this. |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 15, 2019 17:44:05 GMT -5
Very well written, enjoyed reading and thanksfor posting!!!
Matthew, what time tonight would you like to light up together?? We can be together in mind👍
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Post by Matthew on Jun 15, 2019 17:55:21 GMT -5
That's pretty profound, my friend. And, I can relate on a very personal level. Thanks for posting this. Thank You Very well written, enjoyed reading and thanksfor posting!!! Matthew, what time tonight would you like to light up together?? We can be together in mind👍 Brother,since the Mrs is off on a trip with her mother,I'm filling the house with Haunted Bookshop,,,,,Hahahahahaha And I'm being really BAD,,,,,I'm drinking scotch,,,,,,Speyburn 10yr single malt......... Leave me with the credit card.......Hahahahaha
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Post by Ronv69 on Jun 15, 2019 18:05:00 GMT -5
I want some of what he's smoking. 😎👍😁🤠
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garydh2000
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Post by garydh2000 on Jun 15, 2019 18:09:32 GMT -5
Thank you for your words of wisdom.
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Post by roadsdiverged on Jun 15, 2019 18:25:14 GMT -5
Good read sir, I can connect to that and some of those words look like they were pulled straight from my head.
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Post by pepesdad1 on Jun 15, 2019 19:26:33 GMT -5
Seems to be a common theme and very true thoughts...something to think about...no one is a bigger critic of yourself than you.
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Mac
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Post by Mac on Jun 15, 2019 23:20:45 GMT -5
Boy, have I run into that. There have been times I've not done something simple and nice for someone on the grounds that I was really doing so I'd feel good. That's pretty f***ed.
Thanks for your post. Shortly I will hit the deck with a bowl and think along the lines you suggest.
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sablebrush52
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Post by sablebrush52 on Jun 15, 2019 23:46:45 GMT -5
If doing something good for somebody else elevates you inner spirit, that's a good thing. It's never been the motivation for my actions, but I happily accept the gift.
This above all- to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.
When Shakespeare wrote these words for Polonius in Act 1, scene 3 of Hamlet, his intention was to paint Polonius as an interfering fathead. But the words have long outlived their intention and have come to be an uplifting affirmation for millions of people.
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Post by headrott on Jun 16, 2019 3:15:02 GMT -5
This is one of the best threads I have seen on this forum, period. Thank you @matthew for your post.
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Post by elric on Jun 16, 2019 4:46:41 GMT -5
Guilt & remorse imprints on our soul to ensure that our reflex in the future in a similar situation will not repeat the offense. (What some call a Soul Lesson)
This is what leads me to self forgiveness.
To err is to be human.
To learn from ones mistakes is the path to wisdom.
Meditation is a healthy exercise. Many different methods to quiet ones mind to be able to hear the quiet voice within.
Puffing on a pipe with my back against a tree is as good a technique as any.
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Post by Matthew on Jun 16, 2019 12:46:00 GMT -5
If doing something good for somebody else elevates you inner spirit, that's a good thing. It's never been the motivation for my actions, but I happily accept the gift. This above all- to thine own self be true, And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man. When Shakespeare wrote these words for Polonius in Act 1, scene 3 of Hamlet, his intention was to paint Polonius as an interfering fathead. But the words have long outlived their intention and have come to be an uplifting affirmation for millions of people. By all means,if the simplest reward helps another,I'm all in.I take great joy in relieving an others stress or difficulty. I believe that helping is a more fulfilling manner of self-elevation than bulling will ever be,I used bully only as an opposite not the only means of succeeding or self-aggrandizement.
That you have read and can accurately quote Shakespeare truly impresses me.I have not taken time to read his works.But often what we say will many unintended applications. My personal favorite has always been "Abandon Hope,All Ye Who Enter Here" Crosses my mind every time I enter Walmart.
Guilt & remorse imprints on our soul to ensure that our reflex in the future in a similar situation will not repeat the offense. (What some call a Soul Lesson) This is what leads me to self forgiveness. To err is to be human. To learn from ones mistakes is the path to wisdom. Meditation is a healthy exercise. Many different methods to quiet ones mind to be able to hear the quiet voice within. Puffing on a pipe with my back against a tree is as good a technique as any. I would never suggest that a person "forget" their past,only accept the forgiveness of others and forgive ourselves. Too often I can/will prosecute myself for days and weeks over something as simple as drooling over a steak dinner. Something mildly embarrassing becomes a treasonous offense.I wish I could say that drinking brings this out,but alas, it neither promotes it nor does it alleviate it.Mostly happens when I spend too much time thinking alone.This why I love books,they engage every cortex,every sense.Books carry me into worlds that TV cannot imagine.
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Post by Legend Lover on Jun 17, 2019 8:58:02 GMT -5
Poignant words, Matthew. Worthy of reflection over a pipe (or 5). Thank you, kind sir, for sharing. |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2019 21:21:40 GMT -5
This stuff is WAY too deep for my feeble mind to comprehend. ..lol
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Post by PhantomWolf on Jun 28, 2019 21:29:13 GMT -5
Word, Matthew. Well said.
Reminds me of a favourite quote by good ol' Walt
"I no doubt deserved my enemies, but I don't believe I deserved my friends" -Walt Whitman
If everyone were so humble and introspective, the world would be a wonderful place.
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Post by PhantomWolf on Jun 28, 2019 21:33:22 GMT -5
Along the lines of this topic
I have a really hard time accepting gifts, but at the same time I am generous, almost recklessly so at times. haha Anyway, I read somewhere that it is actually a common trait among sociopaths. I really don't see it though.
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Post by bonanzadriver on Jun 28, 2019 22:55:05 GMT -5
A dear departed friend and mentor shared with me the tenets by which he lived his life...
Respect all things living
Learn something of value every day
Teach something of value every day
Do something anonymously for someone or something every day
Although easy to say, quite difficult to do. Especially the anonymous thing.
Way too often, in this current augmented reality we all find ourselves living in nowadays, the talking heads on MSM and the self appointed intelligentsia, want to impose Their belief system on everyone else. Especially their perception of what altruism is. By definition altruism is a selfless act. If this truly is the case, why do so many out there seek out recognition and praise for their "selfless" acts?
Just my $0.02
ymmv
dino
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Post by PhantomWolf on Jun 29, 2019 7:09:03 GMT -5
A dear departed friend and mentor shared with me the tenets by which he lived his life... Respect all things living Learn something of value every day Teach something of value every day Do something anonymously for someone or something every day Although easy to say, quite difficult to do. Especially the anonymous thing. Way too often, in this current augmented reality we all find ourselves living in nowadays, the talking heads on MSM and the self appointed intelligentsia, want to impose Their belief system on everyone else. Especially their perception of what altruism is. By definition altruism is a selfless act. If this truly is the case, why do so many out there seek out recognition and praise for their "selfless" acts? Just my $0.02 ymmv dino Definitely a tall order, Dino, but I guess if one at least tried on a daily basis for even half of that list, they would end up the better for it. Actually giving real thought to the anonymous deeds portion now and that's a tough one. I know it's a small, stupid thing, but I always leave my quarter in the shopping cart at Aldi. I think of it as putting change in the bank of karma. |
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Post by Legend Lover on Jun 30, 2019 2:03:18 GMT -5
A dear departed friend and mentor shared with me the tenets by which he lived his life... Respect all things living Learn something of value every day Teach something of value every day Do something anonymously for someone or something every day Wise words to live by. The anonymous thing is tricky to accomplish, as PhantomWolf stated. I'd be happy changing that to, 'do a random act of kindness for someone every day' - again, easier said than done. |
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