Universally admired

Modesty

When I have been sarcastically accused of being modest, I would look down below the navel and declare that I have nothing to be modest about. I have seen the temptation to boast about what we have and what we get up to, but I know it is not always great to be on the receiving end of it. Achievements are relative. They matter to us individually whether others see them as significant or not. Someone could be justifiably pleased with their piddly window sill plant display as another is with their massive manicured garden.

People only recall key points, maybe one in a thousand of the words you speak. For the most part even you only remember the gist of what you said yourself. Instead of recalling everything people say, we do tend to build a picture of whether someone is harmonious or cantankerous. Being argumentative or slating what others love doesn’t imbue harmony. Our tastes vary considerably. People will talk about films and musicians that they rate highly. Whilst we ourselves may rate them far less highly, we can show recognition for all the awards received, acknowledging that they have a large following etc. Unless you are playing one person off against another, it doesn’t help your cause to say something is rubbish knowing others like it a lot. You don’t have to share the same level of wonderment, but neither do you need to be awkward all the time. Being negative about too much is not conducive with fitting in.

I wonder from time to time if I am special or just another mediocre average comrade. Sometimes I see my own magnificence in full glory. Then fall scythed and have shattered illusions, becoming totally uncertain of any merit in my existence. I suspect most know their place, but the ones with the highest self-esteem appear to have a lot of real fun. If you make some wildly wild claims, more fantastic than fiction you get more than just widespread attention, you get to a point of self-delusion and provide hope and faith to the desperate. Cynics may berate such people, but sometimes it takes some fake hope to motivate people into action. People have taken a positive step to apply for a job and get the courage to present themselves well at the interview, all because someone has blessed them with a block of bullshit.