16. Notes - on humility and empathy

16.  9 September 2019

       

       After noon. You relaxed, most with Jadah contentedly dozing on your chest, after your quiet soaker bath. Carol is watering the 'back twenty' - mostly golden rods this time of year. You want a definition of 'moral arrogance' after 'unfreezing'. - Amorella

       1303 hours. I do, yes. I freeze in your 'scope of spirit' Amorella. It is an un-wording sense of an Immediate Spiritual Presence. The Light is not anyway physical but there is no other capitalized word that will do. I 'freeze' like stone. Unable to move during the instance recognition of a -- not-of-this-world surrounding Presence. (1312)

       Late afternoon. You had a late lunch at Five Guys on US23 then stopped at Kim's so she could drop one lost credit card and order new ones; they asked a number of questions that Kim could answer and neither of you were sure of. So, relief. Both of the cards were on hold because you had lost one a month ago then Carol misplaced hers. You are happy you are closer to Kim and are amazed how quickly so things change with banking and bills within a year or two. - Amorella

       1652 hours. It is not so much being confused as it is becoming unsure when talking to experts in terms of finances. We are pleased Kim goes to the Ameriprise Office with us three or four times a year as well as watching our bills to be sure they are paid automatically. Carol is very efficient but these things were easy ten years ago. We doubt ourselves more often and double check on matters much more than we used to. Loss of confidence is one the major problems in growing older, that's what I feel. 

       And yet, here you are concerned about the 'moral arrogance' of a list of medieval sins and virtues. Isn't that a bit humorous? - mh

       You erased an earlier couple of paragraphs because you see you are just as arrogant as those who put up the lists in the first place. A moral dilemma, is it not? - Amorella

       2022 hours. We people are stuck in extremes -- either living like wolf packs or taking the high and mighty individual roads of feral cats -- our species is full of extremes which are at times seemingly uncontrollable. "Be moderate in all things", said Socrates. We are far too foolish to be called wise. At the same time, we are far too intelligent for our own good. We look for ways to win, to be on top economically and otherwise, and to do that some of us have to be in the middle, and alas, more it seems, have to be on the bottom. There is a reason there are fewer generals than privates. (2037)

       You feel inner humility tied with outer empathy to be a human being's greatest personal virtue. - mh

       2046 hours. Better stated by you, Ms Havisham, rather than by my outer self. To put the concept in a sentence though, shows as much moral arrogance as a list of sins and virtues. We are what we are as a species. Shave the two extremes (wolves and cats) within us and we will no longer be human. To rid ourselves of false pride is difficult because we cannot always know ourselves whether we shine with false pride or true. We are indeed a mystery unto ourselves. Nothing new under the sun here. Amorella, what do you have to say to all this windy silence? (2058)

       At least you understand your circumstance. Post. - Amorella