it is a fine thing indeed to be ourselves, to say what we feel and what we mean and what we believe, and have people agree.
a finer thing, even, is to have them like us because of the affinity they feel, that flash of recognition of a kindred spirit, and still finer is it for them to feel that affinity so acutely that they would press a magic button that allows them to leave you a brief message of support, of fondness, of reaching from another life into yours in a positive way.
but it is a hollow and meaningless exercise to not say what we feel and what we mean and what we believe, only so people will like us... not us though, you see, for pretense and a desire for love has driven us to be other than what we are.
so, if we can recognize that honesty and clarity and truth to our own natures is paramount, then we must really examine the weight we lend to the reactions of others.
if people agree or praise or are drawn to us, the true us, we can appreciate that and enjoy it knowing a real connection has been made.
but if, in the course of being who we are and saying what we truly believe, others react with hostility, or disgust, or derision, that connection is no less real.
the finest thing of all is being able to accept both.
a finer thing, even, is to have them like us because of the affinity they feel, that flash of recognition of a kindred spirit, and still finer is it for them to feel that affinity so acutely that they would press a magic button that allows them to leave you a brief message of support, of fondness, of reaching from another life into yours in a positive way.
but it is a hollow and meaningless exercise to not say what we feel and what we mean and what we believe, only so people will like us... not us though, you see, for pretense and a desire for love has driven us to be other than what we are.
so, if we can recognize that honesty and clarity and truth to our own natures is paramount, then we must really examine the weight we lend to the reactions of others.
if people agree or praise or are drawn to us, the true us, we can appreciate that and enjoy it knowing a real connection has been made.
but if, in the course of being who we are and saying what we truly believe, others react with hostility, or disgust, or derision, that connection is no less real.
the finest thing of all is being able to accept both.
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