I've been sitting here waiting patiently for a delivery that's running late, and decided "what the heck, let's write a post." But what about? In my last post, I discussed AI, but felt I wanted to talk about me in this one.
You see, I've been here for quite awhile. Since the early days of Steemit, to the notable schism, likely resembling the one between Rome and Constantinople (I can't figure out which one we are, but I'm leaning towards Hive representing the Eastern Empire, more forward-looking and erotic exotic). :)
Small-Town, Country Values, In The City
If you've been reading my stuff for awhile, you'll know I'm in a sketchy spot in the rust belt, and on the "wrong" side of the Appalachians. A city boy, whose parents and grandparents were raised on farms in the south.
So even though I was born and grew up in the city, I was raised with small-town, country values.
As young as the age of ten, I considered a handshake agreement to be rock solid. It told me who you were as a person. I mean who wouldn't keep their word, right? You know, unless something huge came up that offered a reasonable out. My mom and grandmom carefully watched when the "city boys" came over, and didn't want me growing up like them.
Thus, I was cloistered away like those Jesuit "Brothers" who I called Monks, in their rough garb, who invited me to join them at their monastary when I was older. They travelled in pairs, ans were always so warm with me, and willing to share their faith.
I wanted to be one of them.
However, I can still remember the absolute horror, when at the age of 10 (or was it 12?), I announced that I wanted to join the Catholic church and become a Jesuit "Monk."
You'd have thought I was announcing that I was actually one of those pod people, and was about to depart in a flying saucer to my new home in the Sirius star system.
I couldn't understand what all the fuss was about...
A family intervention ensued, with the pleas of my beloved grandmother carrying the day. Something called The Spanish Inquisition, and The St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre, were explained to me in gory detail. I was also made to read a shortened edition of Foxe's Book of MartyrsPDF.
Quite a lot to visit upon a little boy, right?
And that, as they say, was the that! :)
Forged In The Fire
I've seen a lot of adversity in my life. In fact, one could say I've been through the crucible, a strong sense of honor and fair play, forged as with a hot iron.
As an adult, I've always said that "A wise man listen's more than he speaks." And that, "you can't learn, if you're not listening."
Empathy, compassion, and LOYALTY, mean a lot to me. I also tend to notice little things that other's don't, hence the moniker: 'EverNoticeThat.' I'd see those quiet, shy people known as wallflowers, then go over and GENTLY engage them in conversation.
I'll swim upstream if necessary, and while friends are nice, I won't let peer pressure shape my morals.
If you're a decent person, I'll stand by you when everyone else bails. I've proven that over and over again. Your good heart has to count for something, and your kind efforts on behalf of others deserves to be rewarded.
At the same time, I believe that we all make mistakes in life and deserve a chance to come back from them. I don't believe in kicking a man when he's down. Remember the lesson of the humiliation of Germany in WWI. If you defeat your opponent, don't degrade him in victory. Reach out your hand and lift him up. As you might be in his place one day.
However there is a time to be absolutely ruthless when it comes psychopaths and narcissists. These vermin don't have that little Governor in their heads like we normal people do, who stops them when they've gone too far.
When necessary, crush them completely.
That's a little slice of me. Everything we've been through makes us who we are today. Every day above ground is a good one, and a life well lived is its own reward. Live yours well.
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Image Credit: @EverNoticeThat