Friday, October 27, 2006

Thoughts about Life part 2

How to define the "Best of Humanity". I've been thinking about this for a while now. A good definition might be "that which builds up a stronger connection between humans".

I envision a little fisherman guy off the coast of Thailand who is skilled at his craft and enjoys doing it. His life and work and attitude benefit those around him, so he's helping to build up a stronger connection between humans. And I'd like to meet him, my hypothetical fisherman dude. :)

What if eating nasty worms or bugs is a delicacy in some given culture, and I'm offered one as a token of respect? Based on my beliefs (and yes, this IS grossing me out), which include embracing the Best of Humanity, I would eat that bug. I would psyche myself out beforehand, quite possibly, but I'd eat it. Entrails? Well, I'd have to come up with a fake allergy to get out of that situation... Because entrails are ew.

What if I brought it closer to home, and applied it to something more practical? Ooh, this gets tricky for me. In general terms, I try to accept people for their strengths. The older I get, the more I see value in other people's lives and experiences.

In specific terms, I'm probably hypocritical. Because lets face it. When it comes down to it, I'm the most important person to me. Yep, that's my dirty truth people. And often I can't be told what to do, regardless of anyone else's own personal experiences. But despite that, I'm learning to deal with people that I have intimate relationships with, like my mom for example. I try to see my mother in an objective light. TRY is the key word. Each day is a test, and each day I find new rationalizations and justifications for being the way I am. At this point, I'm okay with that. Tomorrow? Well, we'll just have to wait and see...

5 comments:

Sideon said...

One of the best parts of humanity?...

Loving and being loved as people are, instead of wishing them (or ourselves) how they could be.

La said...

Oh, how that speaks to me Don. You just stated my deepest desire out loud to the universe, my friend.

Sister Mary Lisa said...

And it's especially hard for me to love MYSELF as I am sometimes. Great thoughts here.

Rebecca said...

*totally trashy talk show yelling, complete with fist waving and ATTITUDE*

You don't KNOW ME! YOU don't know anything ABOUT me! Oh no you DI-I'N'T!

Bishop Rick said...

Sideon,

You comment made me think of the old Beatles song...help me with the title...talking about a world without religion and the world being as one. No guns, no borders, you know the song.