The want of approval

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 that. 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 remembering everything people say, we do tend to build a picture of whether someone is harmonious or cantankerous. Argumentative souls rile. Slating what others love doesn’t help. Our tastes vary considerably. People will talk about films and musicians that they rate highly. Whilst we may rate them far less highly, we can show recognition for all the awards received and acknowledge their large following. 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 at times if I am special or just another mediocre average comrade. Sometimes I see my own magnificence in full glory. Then fall scythed, with shattered illusions, becoming rather uncertain of any merit to my existence. I suspect most know their place, but the ones with the highest self-esteem appear to have a lot of 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 providing 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 positive steps to apply for a job. They get the courage to present themselves well at the interview, all because someone has blessed them with a block of bullshit.