Malaise, discontent, call it what you will; something just ain't right within, and with the world. Actually, I feel all right w/myself, moreso than I have for a while. Aside from a few things that are self-correctable, I feel like a world beater right now.
But, I've been thinking a lot more lately than I usually do, which is saying something. I think that a few things are missing from the world we live in, namely Respect, Honor, and Strength. These are tenets or principles that very few seem to live by, or for, today. I'm talking about Respect for the world we live in: our planet, the environment, and each other as individual, sentient beings. Respect for someone else even though that might live differently than you do, practice a different religion, whatever. Honor in doing right, living right, being an honorable or admirable person. Honoring your partner, your family, yourself. The Strength to do right, Live Right. Emotional, mental, intellectual, spiritual strength. There seems to be a dearth of any of the three - let alone all three - characteristics in the world I live in.
Since when did we take The World for granted? When did we lose all respect for all things great & small? When did we lose all regard for the environment, and the planet we inhabit? When did the drive for or pursuit of material wealth surpass everything else in priority or importance? It saddens me, nay sickens me. I DVR'd a show on HDNet the other night about the coral reefs, and how mankind is impacting them. Coral reefs are, in & of themselves, amazing entities. When you realize how much we as humans depend on reefs for so many things, for so many reasons, you realize how valuable they are, and how important it is to minimize our impact on them, and make sure that coral reefs are living, breathing, sustainable resources. The same goes for the rain forest, the polar icecaps. At what point does respect for what we as the human race have been given (and what we should feel obliged to pass on to our children & grandchildren) outweigh our need for material profit?
This nation was founded in large part on the need for individuality. Freedom of speech, freedom of religion. The word "freedom" comes up over & over when talking about the good ol' You Ess of Aay. So when did we stop respecting each other's right to be an individual? To marry whoever you or I want, to live life as we see fit?
Following is a definition of Honor:
a. Principled uprightness of character; personal integrity.
b. A code of integrity, dignity, and prideIf you're the least bit in-tune w/the here & now society, I think you'll see & recognize the seemingly total absence of honor. It's nearly embarrassing to admit the lack of communal code of integrity or principled uprightness that is pervasive in the world today. It seems the socially acceptable code of conduct is to lie, cheat, and steal, and say "fuck the lot" if it's all for personal benefit. The dissolution of social & governmental conscience and concern for one another is, to me, reprehensible. Increasingly scarce is concern for personal & professional or corporate reputation, honor for or of personal relationships. There are so many blatant examples of dishonesty for the sole sake of personal gain, it's overwhelming. Pork barrel spending in the government, sheer & utter disregard for public good by corporate America, in addition to an absence of honor as evinced by individuals in their personal lives each day. How many people honor their country, their partner, their mother and/or father, themselves each day?
When most people hear the word "strength" they think of physical strength. To me, that's the last application of the word that comes to mind. I think of mental strength, intestinal fortitude, strength of character. In my book, Strength is the willingness to Live Right, stand up for the under-privileged, the less fortunate, the balls to do what's right, even thought it's not easy, and probably not popular. The belief in the need to evince the two aforementioned characteristics.
Three of my favorite movies are "300", "Gladiator", and "V for Vendetta". My affection for these movies is the theme woven throughout. In one way or another, all three deal with issues of Respect, Honor, and Strength. Doing what's right & standing on principle, with total disregard for what the consequences might be. I know of only one other person who likes, nay, loves, "V" as I do. And most see "300" and "Gladiator" as blood-soaked, gore-filled flicks. But IMHO those people miss the true point of the movie, and the main characters depicted therein.
I know I'm not perfect - far from it as a matter of fact. I try to be the best person I can/could be. Hopefully I'm better today I was yesterday, and better yet tomorrow. As of late I take to heart "RaSH": Respect (and) Strength, Honor, and ARK ((see my previous blog entries)). I ask of you who read this - or challenge you - to live with those three concepts in mind every day. Your world, my world, Our World, will be better because of it.
On a closing note, one thing about MySpace is that it allows members to see how many blog views are received on a daily or weekly basis - the numbers, but not the who. My group of MySpace friends is pretty small, yet larger than my "real life" circle of close friends. This being said, I note that there are more hits or views of my blog than people I know, especially "real" or individual people-friends. I'm intrigued to know who reads my blog. So if you feel like it, please drop me a message via MySpace, if for no other reason than shits & grins, and to satisfy my curiosity. This is purely to satisfy my own interest; no need to post a public comment unless you're so inclined. It goes w/out saying that I won't post or reveal private messages. Privacy is most obviously maintained by way of Respect & Honor...
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