And the basis of character is integrity, which C. S. Lewis defined as "doing the right thing when no one is looking." Your first phrase aptly defines the pharisees in our time as Jesus did some years ago.
Another great interlude on a Friday morning. Thanks Deborah and have an awesome weekend.
One does not successfully set out to be admirable, although one can set out to be admired. The seeking after public recognition is a virtual guarantee that one will not behave admirably, because public approbation is too fickle and superficial to be sustained without constant attention and admirability often doesn't arrive until one is past the point of noticing. The self-centered and self-possessed are rarely, if ever, seen as admirable even during their lives while, as you point out, people who end up being admired don't see their behavior as anything notable while they are doing it.
Deborah, thank you for this compassionate and thoughtful posting.
But when you discuss how to be admirable while facing adversity such as pain and poverty, I wonder why you don’t include racism? Surely it must be very difficult for Black and brown Americans to be admirable while they are confronted by white racism and discrimination and while being terrorized and imprisoned and even deported by Trump’s ICE thugs.
Admirable. To be admired. But for what? People here would hope to be admired for empathy and sacrifice. For helping and building. But sadly, so very sadly, the essence of our current public consciousness admires cruelty and unnecessary toughness. ICE is an example.
The recent "State of the State" address by Gov Pritzker of Illinois was IMO ground breaking. He dared to speak about the power of love. Now...that is Admirable.
Yes. It starts and ends with character.
Integrity, compassion, empathy, conviction. Qualities of inner strength and self-esteem.
Attributes that change lives, when put to serving others.
integrity compassion
empathy conviction
you have deepened
our awareness
of the components
of character
thank you al
for sharing your insights
with us
Fabulous. James
thank you james
for your wonderful response
you made me so happy
Doing something admirable for a crowd is easy. Doing the right thing when no one will ever know is character.
ah i did not
think of that fred
but what you say
is so true
it's what we do
when no one
is looking
And the basis of character is integrity, which C. S. Lewis defined as "doing the right thing when no one is looking." Your first phrase aptly defines the pharisees in our time as Jesus did some years ago.
Another great interlude on a Friday morning. Thanks Deborah and have an awesome weekend.
One does not successfully set out to be admirable, although one can set out to be admired. The seeking after public recognition is a virtual guarantee that one will not behave admirably, because public approbation is too fickle and superficial to be sustained without constant attention and admirability often doesn't arrive until one is past the point of noticing. The self-centered and self-possessed are rarely, if ever, seen as admirable even during their lives while, as you point out, people who end up being admired don't see their behavior as anything notable while they are doing it.
i see what you mean dave
thank you for your insights
living with integrity
is what we are seeking to do
whether we are
ever recognized
or not
https://open.substack.com/pub/lelandkatz/p/who-i-am-00f?r=adhb5&utm_medium=ios
dear leland
thank you for sharing
your life story with us
it is evident
how closely you follow
the teachings you cite:
"Do justly now.
Love mercy now."
there is a great deal
for us to learn from you
and your deep commitment
to living an honorable life
Thank you. I’m glad you think so.
💖💖💖💖💖💖💖
thank you william
for giving me
a big smile 💖
You are very welcome! 😊
Deborah, thank you for this compassionate and thoughtful posting.
But when you discuss how to be admirable while facing adversity such as pain and poverty, I wonder why you don’t include racism? Surely it must be very difficult for Black and brown Americans to be admirable while they are confronted by white racism and discrimination and while being terrorized and imprisoned and even deported by Trump’s ICE thugs.
dear patricia
your vital contribution here
illustrates how deeply
you care about all people
i did not think of racism
as i was listing adversity
that is a glaring omission
on my part and i appreciate you
bringing it forward here
yes it is extremely difficult
to be admirable
when being despised
terrorized and imprisoned
by violent thugs
Admirable. To be admired. But for what? People here would hope to be admired for empathy and sacrifice. For helping and building. But sadly, so very sadly, the essence of our current public consciousness admires cruelty and unnecessary toughness. ICE is an example.
The recent "State of the State" address by Gov Pritzker of Illinois was IMO ground breaking. He dared to speak about the power of love. Now...that is Admirable.
yes
thank you bill
for offering us
such a clear example
in our current crisis
gov pritzker
is highly admirable
his courage
his words
and his actions
are the epitome
of servant leadership