In Question of My Humanity

honor ~ wisdom from my neighbour
87 yr old larrikin veteran sailor
husband of 60+years
father of four
he knows stuff...today's sharing: "live with less openly, people come into your life"

poetess, you rock Xx LR

When you next speak with him, tell him this:
"His words have fallen through the eyes, past the mind, and into the soul of a fellow human."

And to you L, my sincere thankfulness for having the pleasure of meeting such a worthy vessel for carrying them forth. You humble me in so many ways.
I feel truly blessed.

Teri

gummy smile and dimples  
on a beautiful, leathered face
...joy that is you
welcomed into sailor's heart

your gift of reflection
nourishing the waterhole

beautiful Teri

you are one of the most humane woman
i've had the pleasure to know
not once despite our very different life styles
have you ever judged me
from the very beginning I was met with
love & compassion from you..

I understand the definition of greed
that you hold yourself accountable to
but I think there is much more
in your soul then you give yourself credit for..

much love Raven

That you feel of me as this is very humbling.
My heart is filled with your words here.

Thank You Dear Raven.
May you find the solace
which you so deserve.

Very thought provoking. Think many of us can relate to this and it stirs deep to give it some true thought.
But as long as we openly give love and respect to all those around us and those in need, I think we give them the best thing we possibly could.

Thank you Sophie for weighing in on this piece. Like you, I also feel we should show love and respect for other people regardless of their situation in life.

Your first sentence was the response I was hoping for when I wrote the piece, to effect introspective thoughts in others as to their degree of humanity.

I believe I have honestly stated my feelings after doing so, and I'm not very proud of myself.

Thank you for leaving your thoughts here.

Very reflective and thoughtful poem, this is deeply honest, I haven't lived a very fortunate life and so I wouldn't know how it feels, I've never had much. So it's great to hear from someone with different experiences.

We did not start out with much either. What we have now was gained through nearly 50 years of hard work, sacrifice, and doing without many things that others spent their money on instead of saving for the future. In the geographic area we live, our economic position would be average or below. Yet, for many around the world it would be living like a king, to others, paupers. That we have more than we really need to live relatively comfortable yet are reluctant to share the excess and why was the intent of the poem.  
 
Thank you for visiting and commenting. It is always good to learn from another's perspective. I wish you safe travel on your journey in life.  
   
AT

I am not high on the socioeconomic ladder nor do I have a life that those around (most area also above) me would trade for, but I know I am more fortunate than billions. I know that people suffer and starve and die while I over eat, lament mental illness, preoccupy myself with privileged problems. I know I do nothing to help. I know my existence hurts others (most "1st world" people contribute to conditions one notch above slavery and environmental destruction). I know that after a few fleeting moments I will be past the feelings of guilt and shame. I will continue benefiting from a life that was gifted to me by the fortune of where/when I was born.  I will continue to be relieved and happy I am not one of those billions. I will continue to relish my lack of humanity.

You are not unlike many of us, myself included, and your words here are the truth seldom spoken.

The piece, a mere reflection of feelings I perceive as my shortcomings  and not words meant to shame others, but rather to stir their own introspection.

To me, honesty should garner respect and you have earned mine.

Teri

It's nice to see that being me receives such a deed

"Would I give up the comforts I have been afforded to help others?  
   
To what extent would I go in this endeavor?"  
   
before i proceed fruther into the quoted section below, i must first address the profound questions, raised so well above, by my peer, my Friend, my inspirational one at that-
 firstly, these questions come from a mind in quest, for truth. period.    
the essence of our being, the purpose.    

some of my wise elders whom i had the chance to be present in their company said ( might sound cliche to many but if we dwell with obejctivity, makes much sense), believeing or not is a matter of faith, personal one at that- and if we just look at the relevant part it makes some sense, to some extent that-  life, is simply a test. that's it. Some are tested, by being blessed, some the opposite way- deprived. It's what you do with your belssings and with your depravation, that matters. NO mankind is Not simply made to worship God. And why would God need any worship like bowing, kneeling, praising- for He is beyond need. Just the test, what and how you do with the conditions you are thrown into, in life.    
   
"These are questions I ask myself as I sit in the comfort of a warm home, observing world happenings on my 55" flat screen television, sipping a glass of wine while relaxing in my recliner and typing this on my just purchased new laptop. I now pause long enough to gaze out my window at the peaceful scene of the river that runs just across the quiet road that leads into the park just down the way and I think of the loving, near 30 year marriage I have enjoyed with the person I hope never to be without, and as I do this, I come to the realization that I am not that saintly, that my humanity has limits. I/we have worked hard to get to where we are. Yes, the money I/we spent on material things that give us pleasure, or allow for a more comfortable existence, could have been given to a charity that would use it to provide even a meager existence to someone less fortunate.  "  
   
Some realizations, of yours above show a soul that is caring, awake. And some realization regarding the ultimate soultion- the hypothetical/ideal, is simply neither recommended nor practical for it would do more harm than greater good. You can do much more by being, utilizing your position/situation for the greater good than some radical change. For the ones nearby and near to the heart have their rights too. And yes, everyone ought to be independent but some need help, all kind of, and my admired peer, is in a much better position, result not by some sheer luck, but of hard work, and more.  
   
"  
Why did I not? Was it out of greed? And if so, by who's standard. Theirs, Yours, Mine? "  
   
nope. greed is/never was the answer. simple, humans naturally and rightfully so cherish, the fruit of their labor. its more to the nature than anybody's standards. And along that, the appreciation of experienceing the times less easy which needed to be dealt with grit and determination. And it is only natural to hold dear things you invested blood, sweat and precious of all commodities- time in.  
   
"    
I read the following in a poem here on DUP written by one of my favorite poetess, (Lady Rain), and I fully embrace the concept put forth.  
   
"Propensity to accept death rests on the amount of pain you're in." "  
   
well, one word- wisdom.  
   
the poets above simply personify that. And not at all surprised from where it came.  
   
Applying this concept, this came to mind:  
The more you have to loose, the less likely you are to give it away.  
To me, this should be the true meaning of greed. "  
   
apt, definition. yet it leaves one aspect of it aside- greed, being the intrinsic part of human nature. And as with nature, there are indeed exceptions, therefore, a rare but existing occurence- a human sans greed. It is said, if a man acquires a maountain of gold, he/his heart will ask what if/how about i have two of these? wouldn't it be awesome? obviously the key/anti-dote to greed and key to happines is in contentment. being at peace wth what we have.    
   
I have read in an article some years back, what everyone knows already- the true happiness lies in giving, and that giving won't be possible/or the possibility of that happening depends upon the strength of the connection we have with that object( i.e the amount of work/blood/sweat/time/money) invested in it. The factors mentioned in the parenthesis do play a major role, and it's not just the greed, the black/white answer.    
   
"Now as I sit here, I find myself in shame, for my humanity suffers at the hand of my greed, and I come to the realization that without some soul shaking event, I will never be able to obtain a total feeling of self worth and I weep for my loss, knowing I brought it upon myself, by myself and only I can change this feeling by gathering a strength which I know at this point in my life will never come. "  
   
for the rare occasion i find myself to be in a disagreement to a dear and wise friend here. Nothing you have done, to our knowledge and what's apparent and known of you is wrong either morally or ethically. Working hard is never a crime, and i do not believe my friend had ever not acknowledged both directly and indirectly the concept of 'live and let live'. It does not mean give and just give. And no book of religon/ethics in the world says that all humans should give up on living the circumstances they are and abandon/give away everything. No saint I have known has said everyone must become a monk. Most wise ones have said deal with it- as humanely as possible- much ,much better than saying secluding one self inside a cave in a forest and simply praising The Lord. And my friend, has done many a things that herself knows of many if not most simply canot imagine, helping the near ones when they need care, personal one. And that giving is rare, giving up money sometimes easier than giving away convenience of everyday life, even for close ones, if it was not the case, then the nursing homes caring for the elderly(the ones with many a progeny to count on) would go bankrupt or would not exist even though the elders there so well loved by many of their loved ones end up dying alone and sometimes tragic/horrific cases of abuse by the ones paid to care them for.    
   
"Are any of us as humane as we propose ourselves to be? "  
   
nope. and probably not one of us. and the question is both a reminder and a jolter of the soul.  Some of us may be at best  trying our best.    
   
"Are you?"  
   
well, nope, simply trying, mostly have and don't know for how long- the raw true answer revealed to self and everyone others- thanks to the Friend here.  
   
This- is the piece that has affected and effected me the most for all my time in and outside DU.  
   
Thank You Poet.

My astute peer, fellow poet and most treasured kindred friend. I first thank you for your in depth thoughts regarding this piece, and deeply appreciate your taking valuable time in doing so.

You are truly blessed in having opportunities to learn from wise elders, whos experience and insightfulness as been absorbed by you and then offered to me and others who may read these exchanges.

Though I had not thought of life in the context of a test, it certainly could be, with the end result being we pass or fail by the standard set forth by our faith, neither am I totally convinced that  we are either rewarded or suffer for our actions at some point after we cease our time on this earth. I have chosen instead to live my life with two thoughts which govern my actions, "Free Will" and "The Golden Rule". If in times the two conflict, the latter prevails, for I can not accept the concept of "Oh well, I'm only human". It is within this belief where I find turmoil, the human self says it's OK to feel as I do, yet the soul reels against it, the end result being my shame, and the only solace I find is when life keeps me busy enough, I haven't the time to dwell on it, but it is always there, waiting to remind me.

Perhaps a misunderstanding has occurred in regard to giving away what we have worked hard to acquire. It was not my intent to infer I should give it all away and live like a monk. It was to express my feeling that I could live with less, i.e. a smaller TV, a less expensive home, less eating out, etc. etc. and those savings passed to someone less fortunate in the area where I live.

Circling back to life being a test, and how we conduct ourselves during this life possibly being the determining factor of where we end up after we have finished here, I can only hope in spite of my shortcomings, I will not return in a some form that will subject me to suffering a fate I would not wish.

I feel very blessed to have met and interacted with someone of your caliber while in this life and I am truly thankful for it.

Teri.

 

I totally agree with your first sentence.

As to giving being an intrinsic personal tax I agree also if you are in a position to do so, with the amount to be determined by circumstance. As to whether it would lead to world peace, I have reservations, simply due to the nature of humans, though the thought is a most pleasant one.

My thoughts when writing the piece was "I could do more, by living with less, and why I do not".

A close poetess friend, in a private message, I feel stated the reason for this "I take in a toxic way, and I don't know how to stop".
Though it may sound simplistic on it's surface, I believe it goes much deeper in explaining why we all as humans, act as we do.
Self preservation, the want of creature comforts, and the desire to provide for those closest to us first. These three things go a long way in determining our fate as a species, as you stated "Our existence is dying in silence".
No species on this earth stays unchanged if it wishes to continue existing, and we are no different. Paying lip service to these needed changes does nothing. Only the actions taken by us will change the direction in which we are headed. We have the ability, for history has shown that. Now all that remains is gathering the strength to do so in unison as a species.

Thank you EIS for weighing in on my piece. I truly appreciate your input.

Just being honest with myself and wondering why I am this way.
Then wondered if others did also.

Thank you Dani.