PRIDE AND BEAUTY

William Shakespeare is credited with having once said, "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet." He is credited with having said a great many things, some more profound than others I suppose.

In this case, I think it conveys the idea of how the essence of something isn't dependent upon a title to be its true self. Thus, no matter how name you thought of when thinking about a Rose it wouldn't affect what it is really like.

I see pride as being related to that in some ways as well as beauty. Not that both items are necessarily connected, except in this case they are too many in terms of this posting.

Essentially to me what we take pride in on so many different levels isn't because of what the think is called as much as what it is about that item that we truly feel proud about. Beauty too is a tangible to some degree whereby we gauge its beauty regardless of its name.

I suppose in many ways a lot of things fall under that category in one way or another. But I guess the reason these two items appeal to me is because I think that often our reaction and dealing with them are more related to elements in our nature that are tied to emotions rather than intellect.

Pride is a type of emotion t me. It is something that can make us feel happy if we do feel we have a reason to celebrate some good achievement. But our scale of value is related from my view to simple issues. To the essence of more things like the results of effort by our own determination.

Beauty is easier to understand. It starts with what we see. There is an inner beauty, which may be far more tangible and meaningful, but it is what we see that stirs us in terms of reaction. Thus as with so many things our minds and emotions can get blurred by things that aren't necessarily always logical.

Sadly, both beauty and pride can have dark sides. They can appeal to some basic need, but in a corruptive way.

Some attempt on a spiritual level to sequester such potential in their thoughts. I'm sorry but the person who thinks you can look at a beautiful member of the opposite sex and simply have righteous thoughts is only kidding themselves. God knows better and so do we if we are honest.

In any event, God does understand these elements in our nature. There is nothing wrong with having confidence in one's abilities or accomplishments. If it leads you to think you are a god, then it is corruptive.

Likewise, there is nothing wrong with wanting to enjoy the presence of beauty in life. But if it becomes and obsession or leads to lust it will taint our vision and senses. I rejoice that God in his grace helps us if we are honest to see how we don't have to lie about our desires, but do need him to deal with them in a positive way.