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hedonist
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This is spurred in a way by the religious thread, but also something that Danny and I have been discussing lately - when/how one's true colors come out, whether to yourself or to others, or both.
I always thought that in the worst, most stressful lifestorms, we show what we're made of. Whether we panic, or buck up and deal with it, or extend calm and control and then break down after.
I think that still holds water, though less so as I get older. While I've certainly disappointed myself for not living up to some of my own expectations, I'm proud of myself - have surprised myself - with how I've made it through some trying times that challenged aspects I'd previously not doubted.
Actually makes me feel like a puss, what with how I've seen others survive, even thrive, through worse.
But by the same token, I'm coming to believe that it's more about how we behave when things are good.
When you're complacent, comfortable.
When no one's watching.
When you don't HAVE to be honorable or courageous or act with integrity...but you do.
Comes down to having to answer to yourself...with the hope that "yourself" doesn't allow for too many rationalizations.
(as for MYself...they say knowledge is a tree...so, still getting there
)
I always thought that in the worst, most stressful lifestorms, we show what we're made of. Whether we panic, or buck up and deal with it, or extend calm and control and then break down after.
I think that still holds water, though less so as I get older. While I've certainly disappointed myself for not living up to some of my own expectations, I'm proud of myself - have surprised myself - with how I've made it through some trying times that challenged aspects I'd previously not doubted.
Actually makes me feel like a puss, what with how I've seen others survive, even thrive, through worse.
But by the same token, I'm coming to believe that it's more about how we behave when things are good.
When you're complacent, comfortable.
When no one's watching.
When you don't HAVE to be honorable or courageous or act with integrity...but you do.
Comes down to having to answer to yourself...with the hope that "yourself" doesn't allow for too many rationalizations.
(as for MYself...they say knowledge is a tree...so, still getting there
) Post edited by Unknown User on
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Comments
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hedonist wrote:But by the same token, I'm coming to believe that it's more about how we behave when things are good.
When you're complacent, comfortable.
When no one's watching.
Really great post hedonist, 2 my mind anyway.
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Imagine, right now, let's say our lives for (just) the past 2 years were video/audio recorded. second by second. Then played back to us, right now. No doubt, it would be shocking to us, how we really are. Who we really are.
When we take 2 steps back and look at ourselves, What would we see? who would we see? The person we think we are?
When things are really hard, then we see...what's, what. When fear, desire or whatever else takes over. Or try's to take over.0 -
For me, I think that whilst the worst might show what you're made of, it may not be your 'true colours'. Certainly, in what I have had to deal with these past years (and for foreseable future), I have done so/am doing so with 'bravado'. I know I'm not 'wired' to be like I have to be - it's just not me, but it's the way it has to be. Reading over, I'm not sure I make sense but it's difficult to explain!hedonist wrote:I always thought that in the worst, most stressful lifestorms, we show what we're made of.hedonist wrote:But by the same token, I'm coming to believe that it's more about how we behave when things are good.
When you're complacent, comfortable.
When no one's watching.
When you don't HAVE to be honorable or courageous or act with integrity...but you do.
Comes down to having to answer to yourself...with the hope that "yourself" doesn't allow for too many rationalizations.
Answering to yourself... exactly. Looking in the mirror and being satisfied that you are being true to yourself. You have to live with yourself...!0 -
I like what you write, here and on other threads. And it's funny, because I had initially written - and then deleted - "are you happy with who you are?"Idris wrote:Imagine, right now, let's say our lives for (just) the past 2 years were video/audio recorded. second by second. Then played back to us, right now. No doubt, it would be shocking to us, how we really are. Who we really are.
When we take 2 steps back and look at ourselves, What would we see? who would we see? The person we think we are?
When things are really hard, then we see...what's, what. When fear, desire or whatever else takes over. Or try's to take over.
I'd have to say overall, yeah. Even with the laugh/cry/LIVING lines on my face, memories and experiences I wish I'd never had...yeah. This life I've been given, for better and worse, is good.
The seeing along the way that you mentioned? Beyond good.0 -
Makes total sense.redrock wrote:For me, I think that whilst the worst might show what you're made of, it may not be your 'true colours'. Certainly, in what I have had to deal with these past years (and for foreseable future), I have done so/am doing so with 'bravado'. I know I'm not 'wired' to be like I have to be - it's just not me, but it's the way it has to be. Reading over, I'm not sure I make sense but it's difficult to explain!
You have to live with yourself...!
Easy enough to know what has to be done; I think it takes alot of strength to DO what has to be done.0 -
Idris wrote:Imagine, right now, let's say our lives for (just) the past 2 years were video/audio recorded. second by second. Then played back to us, right now. No doubt, it would be shocking to us, how we really are. Who we really are.
When we take 2 steps back and look at ourselves, What would we see? who would we see? The person we think we are?
Once we acknowledge who we are - the good, the bad and the ugly all together, there is real acceptance. We are a whole made up of different parts. Our 'true colours' are only a snapshot in time - each one different. As long as we realise that and do not try to be what we are not all the time (eg all goody goody all the time so as to not see the 'ugly' come out). Any 'facade' built cannot last forever, whether 'hiding' from yourself or others.0 -
Great post, Hedonist. Very thought provoking.Idris wrote:-
Imagine, right now, let's say our lives for (just) the past 2 years were video/audio recorded. second by second. Then played back to us, right now. No doubt, it would be shocking to us, how we really are. Who we really are.
I was once told that after we die our life is played back to us and we are held accountable for everything we've done. I don't believe or disbelieve that because it's all speculation but if our lives were to be played back on a video I think the things we did that would reflect the best of who we are would be things we may not even remember- the selfless acts of kindness or courage that we did spontaneously rather than having been done to gain us brownie points in heaven. I'm not saying we shouldn't make conscious efforts to do good things- in fact I think if we practice being generous and kind without expectations of rewards it becomes a part of our character. And believe me, I'm not saying I'm there- I still need a lot of practice this way!"It's a sad and beautiful world"-Roberto Benigni0 -
given my misspent youth
i make huge strides to be a good person now
if i'm given too much change, for example, i will give it back
i ALWAYS lend a hand to someone that needs any help i can provide
(don't care if this is right or wrong
but i will always smoke pot)fuck 'em if they can't take a joke
"what a long, strange trip it's been"0 -
not perfect, and definitely not 100% proud of some of my past behavior but for the most part yes, i feel good about who i am... like you said though, still learning. but feeling good about it all in all...0
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hedonist wrote:
Totallyslickweed wrote:(don't care if this is right or wrong
but i will always smoke pot)
'd at this.
Same boat here! It does me good.
And brian, your post reminded me a bit - alot, actually - of "Defending Your Life". Love that film.
Funny that you should mention that- I was just thinking the other day I hadn't seen that film in quite a while. Now I will for sure! Albert Brooks, Meryl Streep, Rip Torn. Love it!
"It's a sad and beautiful world"-Roberto Benigni0 -
I'm good to others, but bad to myself. I have no regrets of what I've done to anyone but me.
and there's a LOT. every day I fucking wake up.Gimli 1993
Fargo 2003
Winnipeg 2005
Winnipeg 2011
St. Paul 20140 -
Hugh Freaking Dillon wrote:I'm good to others, but bad to myself. I have no regrets of what I've done to anyone but me.
and there's a LOT. every day I fucking wake up.
We'll keep your back covered, Hugh. Take care. "It's a sad and beautiful world"-Roberto Benigni0 -
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slickweed wrote:given my misspent youth
i make huge strides to be a good person now
if i'm given too much change, for example, i will give it back
i ALWAYS lend a hand to someone that needs any help i can provide
(don't care if this is right or wrong
but i will always smoke pot)
smokin pot is rule
so we are in this same boat together
we sail on clouds of green and hills of many
red and purple skies down and up risings
each branch of weeping willow tree
a land bridge to the orient and others of far off expanses
kindness is gathered as if harvesting humanityfor poetry through the ceiling. ISBN: 1 4241 8840 7
"Hear me, my chiefs!
I am tired; my heart is
sick and sad. From where
the sun stands I will fight
no more forever."
Chief Joseph - Nez Perce0 -
My biggest regret would be the time spent on AMT.
Be Excellent To Each OtherParty On, Dudes!0 -
Life is a path continuing long after...hedonist wrote:This is spurred in a way by the religious thread, but also something that Danny and I have been discussing lately - when/how one's true colors come out, whether to yourself or to others, or both.
I always thought that in the worst, most stressful lifestorms, we show what we're made of. Whether we panic, or buck up and deal with it, or extend calm and control and then break down after.
I think that still holds water, though less so as I get older. While I've certainly disappointed myself for not living up to some of my own expectations, I'm proud of myself - have surprised myself - with how I've made it through some trying times that challenged aspects I'd previously not doubted.
Actually makes me feel like a puss, what with how I've seen others survive, even thrive, through worse.
But by the same token, I'm coming to believe that it's more about how we behave when things are good.
When you're complacent, comfortable.
When no one's watching.
When you don't HAVE to be honorable or courageous or act with integrity...but you do.
Comes down to having to answer to yourself...with the hope that "yourself" doesn't allow for too many rationalizations.
(as for MYself...they say knowledge is a tree...so, still getting there )
we are accountable to ourselves yes of course but others also....
more importantly.
Being interconnected action reaction even more than many consider.
True colors certainly depends on who is being honest and who isn't in life
and here really.... which is like life. Life-like 10C
It also to some degree is perception by others. My perception of one person will
be different than what another might perceive of that same person.
Our life experiences effects this as does baggage as does how each individual reacts differently
with different people.
Some here will take advantage of others because they can, some will lie, some will pretend
to be something they are not. Some will be honest and forthright, some will purposely hurt
or disrespect.... this as in life but here of course can bring the worst out.
Honesty for me is the basis to true colors if you are not honest with others
you are not true.... you are hidden and fake.... you are not honest with yourself
you can not be with others.
Life is challenges and lessons learned, people enjoyed and memories made
most important... Love to keep forever 0 -
:angel: :twisted:
These are my ingredients,:
what you want do is simmer over a low flame for 45 minutes occasionally stiring, take off heat and put a lid on and let cool for 15, i'm ready to serve!
I go Great with Beer and Potates!0 -
Hey Hedo...
Here's my take:
Our character is not defined on how we act or what we say, it is defined by who we are. Our character reveals its true colors when there is no one around, not we we sit and expound on the virtuous aspects of our being. A true indicator of true colors is bringing in other individuals for comparison or as an indicator of poor character traits. Knocking down others in ordr to make ourself appear more virtous only lets others know how petty we really are. We all know who we are, we have no idea what the character of others are.
That said, all I can do is present the same face in public, as I do in private. But, I'll tell you... I fail at this. I am a LOT stranger when alone. I would like to say and believe that I would be the one heroic person in the crowd... but, I realize that I will never know what I'd do when faced with a real threat of danger. Who will be the person to jump on the subway track to try to save a stranger and who will be the one of 200 that will stand there in shock?
Truth is.. we don't know.Allen Fieldhouse, home of the 2008 NCAA men's Basketball Champions! Go Jayhawks!
Hail, Hail!!!0 -
chadwick wrote:slickweed wrote:given my misspent youth
i make huge strides to be a good person now
if i'm given too much change, for example, i will give it back
i ALWAYS lend a hand to someone that needs any help i can provide
(don't care if this is right or wrong
but i will always smoke pot)
smokin pot is rule
so we are in this same boat together
we sail on clouds of green and hills of many
red and purple skies down and up risings
each branch of weeping willow tree
a land bridge to the orient and others of far off expanses
kindness is gathered as if harvesting humanity
"kindness is gathered as if harvesting humanity"
how appropriatefuck 'em if they can't take a joke
"what a long, strange trip it's been"0
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