Humility

[Black_Bird]

There are two types of humility; the type that bends but does not break and the type that is already broken. The first type of humility is like a hollow reed blown by the wind; it keeps its shape and place because it gives way to that which it can not control. The second type of humility is like mud; it give way because it has no form. One is created by wisdom and piety, while the other is the result of constant pain and harrassment.

Which type of humility to you exhibit? If you exhibit the second type, what will you do to change that? If you do not exhibit humility at all, are you trying to develop it?

 

[Black_Bird]

Dum dum dum dum BUMP BUMP!

 

[kotori]

sans fuss and feathers

Blackie, I'd like to offer more constructive replies to your threads this morning, but they have each in turn, engendered more activity in the brain than the fingers.

Put me down for the reed, please. If for no other reason than it reminded me of a brief scene in a Miyazaki film (Totoro or Mononoke Hime), one of those visual interludes which recognises the "ephemeral nature of life, an awareness of the ineffable sadness of things."

 

[Black_Bird]

It's okay Kotori. Here's a constructive reply:

Which do you think submissives need to be? What about dominants?

 

[Calamity Jane]

So the differece is between the humility of the strong, and the humility of the downtrodden?

I've been both at various times... I like to think that now, I'm achieving reed status... but is thinking I'm strong a sign that I'm not?

 

[Black_Bird]

So the differece is between the humility of the strong, and the humility of the downtrodden?

I've been both at various times... I like to think that now, I'm achieving reed status... but is thinking I'm strong a sign that I'm not?

Perhaps knowing that you have been weak in the past is evidence that you now are.

 

[daughter]

humiliation

BB--

Er, my own take has been humility vs humiliation. Both can bring about growth and change. Personally, I've screwed up plenty and have been humiliated more than I care for so I opt to exercise humility as best I can. Frankly, I hate the taste of shoe leather.

Feel free to tell me which category this puts me in. LOL

Peace,

daughter

 

[Black_Bird]

Re: humiliation

BB--

Er, my own take has been humility vs humiliation. Both can bring about growth and change. Personally, I've screwed up plenty and have been humiliated more than I care for so I opt to exercise humility as best I can. Frankly, I hate the taste of shoe leather.

Feel free to tell me which category this puts me in. LOL

Peace,

daughter

Hmm... Honestly - I see you as more of a stronger person... You are very slow to judgement and pretty god damn wise. This is somewhat different the self-humilation - what happens when your pride outgrows the truth... Rather it is the difference between quiet determination and fearful silence... if that makes any sense.

 

[Calamity Jane]

Re: Re: humiliation

Rather it is the difference between quiet determination and fearful silence...

perfectly said

 

[Black_Bird]

*BUMP* Because its a good thread...

 

[Guest]

 

[Georgia Girl]

Place me in the reed category as well.

I spent my time being humiliated until I reached down deep and found my strength hidden amongst the shattered pieces of my heart.

Someone recently compared my heart to a sword, flexible when exposed to heat, brittle when exposed to cold, strong enough to hold an edge or to bend. I think this is a good thing.

 

[Dhalgren]

The state or quality of having humility:

The freedom from pride and arrogance…lowliness of mind, a modest estimate of one's own worth; a sense of one's own unworthiness through imperfection and sinfulness; self-abasement….


Humility often consists in being willing to waive our rights, and take a lower place than might be our due.

It does not require of us to underrate ourselves.


To be free of one's own pride is what Monks strive for in everyday life…

And with that, one becomes the reed..without ever needing to profess.

 

[CeceliaSkye]

For years I always equated the word humilty with humiliation. I honestly did not know the difference. I am happy to report that these days I fully understand what it means to have humility and still be strong... I would also like to add that along with the ability to be humble, there comes also a willingness to be vulnerable and to trust in something greater than our selves...
When one is vulnerable, one is also like the reed you spoke of B.B.

 

[MissTaken]

This is a good thread. I read it some time ago and have been thinking about how to answer. I love when that happens

I would say that I am characterized by the reed. Yes, I have suffered humiliation, embarrassment etc, but my quiet determination, integrity and humble approach has seen me through the deepest quagmires of mud.

 

[Cheyenne]

Humility? Hmmm...probably not one of my strong points.

 

[cymbidia]

Of late i fear i've been the mud, though i'd much prefer to think of myself as always the reed.

Reed and mud, though, are part of an interlocked and mutually-dependant system. The mud supports the reed in its most basic striving toward the sun, and the reed funnels water and other essential nutrients down into the mud. Each is important to the other for different reasons and at different times. I have to remember that.

 

[cymbidia]

Which do you think submissives need to be? What about dominants?

Perhaps, BB, all people, not only those who practice BDSM sexuality, might do well to strive toward reedhood at the expense of thier time as mud people.

Submissives are not doormats or mud.
Likewise, Dominants are not strong proud reeds.

Doms and subs are people before we're subs and Doms.
We posess, as a group, all the attributes of any other group of heterozygous people, including humility, either reed or mud.

 

[april-wine]

Hello Black_Bird,

Reading your first post brings to mind some lovely visuals....I too, like the many here have spent time in the mud of humility......Many years struggling to free myself and gasp at the air above, finally I can say that I feel more like the reed.....

"He who thinks he has no faults has one." — Unknown

 

[sigh]

i've alternated often between the humilty of the mud and the indifference of the oak

lately though i've let myself bend a bit more to the winds of trial...i think the reed is taking root at last

 

[Black_Bird]

Perhaps, BB, all people, not only those who practice BDSM sexuality, might do well to strive toward reedhood at the expense of thier time as mud people.

Submissives are not doormats or mud.
Likewise, Dominants are not strong proud reeds.

Doms and subs are people before we're subs and Doms.
We posess, as a group, all the attributes of any other group of heterozygous people, including humility, either reed or mud.

I figured that much... Being very much interested in that lifestyle, but not actually having the opportunity to experience it sometime's leave me wondering if I'm strong enough of a person to fulfill my fetish - my fantasies.

I... am more like mud. I know that. It has alot to do with my earlier childhood - it has a lot to do with my first relationship... but I'm finally starting to build myself back up to where I belong. It a long hard road out of hell - and I've been traveling it for the better part of my, thus so far, short life.

Thank you for your insight.