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I'm special
Mar. 23rd, 2006 12:22 amYou're special too. You and I are unique. And we're unique in the exact same way.
Interesting paradox, huh? I used to work with someone who was somewhat developmentally disabled. He was upset by my suggestion that I was just as special as he was. I guess his parents had told him that he was special, and he naturally assumed that he was better than anyone else.
We all have talents that make us special, but some of our talents make us better people than others. For example, let's look at Dick Cheney. He's a very smart guy. He couldn't have gotten where he is without certain talents. But what is he like as a human being? I have my opinions. Do I respect the guy? No. Not even because he's really smart? No. I'm somewhat impressed by that, but does it engender respect? No. Do I respect him? Only as far as I respect any other human being - I respect his right to do as he pleases (insofar as it does not cause me trouble).
Everyone has talents. That makes everyone special, which makes no one special. :-/ I admire everyone for their talents. I admire no one for having talents.
Having said that, I don't always notice people's talents. Some of them are obvious. I have quite a few artists on my friends page, and I am not only impressed by the talent, but am grateful for it. However, unless it's something I study, I'm not usually aware of it. And even if it is, I can't always conjure this awareness when asked. Why is that? No idea. It's just how I am.
I tend to like people, not for what they can do, but for how they are. Just don't ask me how they are. ;-) I thought about all my friends, and I can't think of many specific reasons why I like any of them. Strange, no? In most cases, all I can think of are common interests. That, and familiarity.
There's also a lack of negative qualities. Like, he doesn't treat people badly. But that's generally not a specific thing. Which brings us back to the previously mentioned subject of whether someone is a good human being. That's the only thing that I feel engenders true respect.
Interesting paradox, huh? I used to work with someone who was somewhat developmentally disabled. He was upset by my suggestion that I was just as special as he was. I guess his parents had told him that he was special, and he naturally assumed that he was better than anyone else.
We all have talents that make us special, but some of our talents make us better people than others. For example, let's look at Dick Cheney. He's a very smart guy. He couldn't have gotten where he is without certain talents. But what is he like as a human being? I have my opinions. Do I respect the guy? No. Not even because he's really smart? No. I'm somewhat impressed by that, but does it engender respect? No. Do I respect him? Only as far as I respect any other human being - I respect his right to do as he pleases (insofar as it does not cause me trouble).
Everyone has talents. That makes everyone special, which makes no one special. :-/ I admire everyone for their talents. I admire no one for having talents.
Having said that, I don't always notice people's talents. Some of them are obvious. I have quite a few artists on my friends page, and I am not only impressed by the talent, but am grateful for it. However, unless it's something I study, I'm not usually aware of it. And even if it is, I can't always conjure this awareness when asked. Why is that? No idea. It's just how I am.
I tend to like people, not for what they can do, but for how they are. Just don't ask me how they are. ;-) I thought about all my friends, and I can't think of many specific reasons why I like any of them. Strange, no? In most cases, all I can think of are common interests. That, and familiarity.
There's also a lack of negative qualities. Like, he doesn't treat people badly. But that's generally not a specific thing. Which brings us back to the previously mentioned subject of whether someone is a good human being. That's the only thing that I feel engenders true respect.
