This is http://www.essayz.com/a9607013.htm Previous-Essay <== This-Essay ==> Following-Essay Click HERE on this line to find essays via Your-Key-Words. {Most frequent wordstarts of each essay will be put here.} ========================================================== %RESPECTABLE WORTHY APPEARANCE INTEGRITY WHOLE 960701 There is a difference between people who are "respectable" and those who are truly worthy of respect. "Respectable" people are often preoccupied with appearing to be respectable, but under their appearances they are not worthy of respect, for they are often wearing masks. People who are truly worthy of respect are not preoccupied with appearing respectable. They are being true to themselves and others; promoting personal and communal integrity---not conflict and contention. Some people are preoccupied with taking sides, and are always concerned about which side is the "right" side. They insist that other people take sides; and alienate themselves from people who do not take their side; i.e., the "right" side. They work hard to make their side prevail at the expense of people who took the other side, or no side. "Respectable" people often seek to appear respectable by taking the "right" side on conflicts. The people who take another side (or no side) on a conflict are not "respectable." Which side such "respectable" people take in a conflict depends upon which side they believe will make them look respectable. They fight for their chosen side in order to appear "respectable." If it appears that it is prudent to change sides in order to appear to be "respectable" they will find a way to change masks. People who are truly worthy of respect make affirmations by being who they are; quietly, gently, firmly, constructively, and in ways which resolve conflicts as do peacemakers. They are not concerned with appearances, but with realities. By being peaceful, full of peace, they are peacemakers. They know who they are, and are who they know they are. They are not wearing masks which get changed from time to time in order to "improve" appearances. "Respectable" people often perceive it to be in their best interest to oppose what non-respectable people affirm. They find that being against what others are for-- -serves their best interest in appearing "respectable". Thus many "respectable" people live rather negative lives. They take strong stands against evil, and work hard to overcome evil in ways which alienate people who do not agree with them. They do not seek to resolve conflicts between people who are trying to be true to the highest ideals, values and principles that they know. They seek to win battles against "evil" in order that they will appear "respectable." They are not concerned about how much estrangement, alienation, misunderstanding, ignorance, resentment, anger, and rebellion they help to generate. They do not understand evil in terms of estrangement, alienation, misunderstanding, ignorance, resentment, anger and rebellion. To them "evil" is whatever will rob them and their cause of "respectability." (c) 2005 by Paul A. Smith in (On Being Yourself, Whole and Healthy) ==========================================================