Just a little bit.

I read a great little line in a crap book the other day. One character was testing another's wisdom, and he asked him what he thought it meant to respect someone.

He responed saying that;

"respect is where you know that another person is better than you at something, but you don't have any fears or doubts about their skill, or how it relates to your own"

I thought that was amazing, it expanded my brain a wee touch.

Also, in another book, this one totally ace [Vernon God Little, which you should all read] the main character is in a courtroom and he's trying to think out how he can explain his actions. He talks about the invisible knives we all have stuck in our backs by people we care about, usually family members. The knfe is put in there when something goes wrong, and after that all it takes is simple words that to other people look harmless to turn your knife....

just two random ideas I thought worth sharing..

You know I never expected such words of thought from a clown or are you a mime....? Jk..

But you are quite right with the invisible knifes, but I think that is too be expected from those we love, because no relationship is perfect. But in a way we expected them to be that, and with that comes betrayal...

I will not comment on the respect quote, because in a way it is one-sided, and it is kind of obvious why...

I agree with the respect quote. I have always agreed with that. No one is best at everything, and it takes too much effort for one person to appreciate when another person is GOOD at something, maybe even BETTER. Scary, right? Riding is my life, but I am not afraid to admit that I don't know everything, and some kids almost half my age may know more than me. That's life, and respect is so much more rewarding than jealousy and hatred.

Yep.

I think, for me the interesting thing about the quote I posted was that I'd never thought about the specifics of respect before in quite that way.

Most people would say they respect people because they do good or difficult things. but really it's all about them doing things you can't or won't...it's almost like a fear of the unknown which you distance yourself with by saying you respect someone.

Lol...Abby...

You know I always like when you always pose rhethorical questions posing them as nothing more as meaningless agreeable questions.

But then that's what I love about ya...

I would like you to elaborate for me because although I understood that the increased respect only sharpens the knives. Why would our decreased self-respect or decreased sense of self dull it? And do you think that it is universal in that everyone adheres to it?

You know Abby I was so foolish as to not put a smiley face signifying that I was joking when I made a comment about your rhethorical questionings, they are not in any way meaningless or agreeable. But very respectful...In a way.

I find that respect has many faces with many masks to cover it. Such as the mask of awe, the mask of envy and/or jealousy, the mask of mimickry etc.

Now from what Kevin has mentioned (Although I find it ironic that I mention masks, when he clearly is wearing one) is actually respect with the mask awe without the added mask of jealousy/envy.

And I agree that such does exist, it is rather uncommon in it's nature.

Now from what you mentioned Abby, you are indentifying in an eloquent intelligent way, that "self esteem" is threated or re-assured rather than self-respect. As these two concepts are quite different, and one is needed to protect in a way the other.

Self respect is the tool needed to re-assure one's self esteem, but if one has no self respect, then their self-esteem is threatened.

As for the knives comment, I agree with you to a certain degree...But I will keep my typing mouth shut...Lol.

Self esteem and self respect may seem similiar in respects on what they both acheive but the differences between them are quite crucial in understanding what respect really is.

Esteem is based around the notion of "self-evaluation" putting the conclusion in a high pedestal.

While respect is centered around the notion of the varying degrees of "Acceptance"....

"And how is it possible to feel awe without relating to the extent of your own limitations?"

Are people not in awe of God, prophets, angels...Great men and women...People are in awe yet while many think of their own limitation other use that awe to imitate to a degree what those entities represent.

I respect myself when I do things that I know to be good and right, but which I find difficult...like talking to the lesser humans..the small people, namely, most of you.

I short, I respect people who push themselves to do difficult things, especially when they do not wholly enjoy the experience. My friend Suzie ran a 26 mile marathon recently, almost killed herself doing it, and I apply extreme kudos to her now because of it....she is hot as well, really, like stupidly good looking, which help me "respect" her...ha.

^^ You know Kevin it would have had more effect when you didn't have that picture...

I'm sorry but when you speak with unadulterated upper class demeanor looking down on us...All I can see is that picture, and I cannot stop laughing...

Thank you...

Ha, that picture makes me want to crap my pants.

Yeah you are sorry Noir, but there's not alot I can do about that, that is your burden bro, tough break.

You know Jane, I just didn't want to look like your Dad anymore, or maybe I did given that most girls are apparently drawn to guys who remind them of their fathers..

Regardless, you are all soo predictably focussed on image it slays me.

"Yeah you are sorry Noir, but there's not alot I can do about that, that is your burden bro, tough break."

Way to twist my words...Kevin, I would have taken it as an insult, but the picture of you in drag, kind of makes it harder to do so...

Oh well, I should feel sorry for you Kevin, what with you dressed in drag and all...Memoirs of a Geisha must have played a huge part in your life...Ha Ha Ha...

Jus Kiddin...Or am I? Nope I was Just Kidding...Or maybe I wasn't...Who knows...Lmao

Ah, I do so love it when people without pictures of themselves take digs at those who do, it's very original and brave.

For a gay man you surprise me with you anti Drag sentiments.

"Ah, I do so love it when people without pictures of themselves take digs at those who do, it's very original and brave."

Well Kevin, yes you're quite right, but then again, one with a picture like yours should show humility rather than pride...Lol.

"For a gay man you surprise me with you anti Drag sentiments."

I wish I was a gay man, maybe then my life would be a wee bit easier... I wish I had the same gay pride you have Kevin, and wore makeup and looked like a geisha or a banshee, but sadly I am not gay...But I will wait until the right man comes...Have you found yours Kevin,

I hope so, because from your demure picture it looks like it will happen soon enough...Ha Ha Ha

Lol...Its fun...

"Respect....sadly few know that the word itself must begin from within, if you don't have it, you can't give it..."

Care to elaborate on that quote you just gave us Sluvious...Are you talking about respect for an individual or self respect and does having self respect immediately makes us give self respect?

Yeah but Sluvious got that from the back of a twinky wrapper, so it don't count none y'hear!

Noir my lassy, if my picture makes you think of gayness then you have some issues mate. I'd be more likely to be taken up by the local mallgoths than the gay scene around here....they mostly dress like extra's from Miami vice.

You do look a bit like a geisha. Funny.