Topic: being nice vs being real

I was reading soemthing on another board and this was about an issue which keeps bothering me for some time now.

What is being a "good person" ? What if you are considered a nice person in general by others but you know that its just "behaving nice" ?

If i am acting as a "nice person", i just want to do no wrong to others and want to be liked. Now i don't think that's 'real'. Its just pretending. I pretend to be 'good'. But i am not. Somtimes I act like a asshole, in my more lucid moments i guess, but a lot of time this mr nice-guy type takes over.

To be honest, while in conversation with my collagues, i often think "please shut up". If i would say that to them, pretty soon i will get isolated at the working place. In my case, thats bad because then theres nothing left. (i should mention that 'talking' is the main ingredient of my job.to make it more bearable i constantly joke around, you know trying to entertain the situation a bit. )
Really, my conversations in daily life would go to 10%.
If i would be totaly honest and real, i am quite sure that i would lose my job, my friends and who knows what. Maybe someone would give me a new job, because 'i am so honest', who knows. smile

Stuart Wilde says something like "you can serve people by just listening to them". Well, i've noticed by doing so you get a lot of bullshit over you, a lot !  If you serve then from the idea that 'you should' or its good or moral or whatever, its nonsense, i think.

Whats the use of morality ?

What do you think ?

"I've had a traumatic youth.
My father drank.


And my mother ate."                                       

Kama

Re: being nice vs being real

Im tired so my post will be incoherant and odd tongue

But here goes.

Being nice is not dependant on being real and being real is not dependant on being nice, thusly, you can be nice and real and you can be real and nice wink

So what do you value more, yourself or others, if you value others then you will be nice because that way you can get more from them (on average, kissing ass works better than good critisim) but if you value something else then it is ofcourse smart to act according to that. So be real if real is a value you wish to seek.

And the key to all of this is, as best as i can see ofcourse which is always relative so no guarantees as to accuracy. But the key to this, is your very small self appreciation and sense of self. You want to be liked as you like good energy, and you for some reason are unable to feed that energy to yourself. So your feedback-loop is damaged in that you require nutrients from others at all times. You need to be liked. And that creates a dependancy and a inability to rebel against what you see as annoying. So you can be lead by the nose and you are unable to do anything against it. And this ofcourse causes agression you cant vent at people and that causes this situation. The view of "if i rebel out i wont get what i want, if i dont i will be harmed. I dont want to be harmed so what ever i do i'll lose" and that causes a negative polarity, the only way out is to shrink and to vanish.

The answer to your problem would be to solve the mental problem which causes you to be unable to digest your own energy and reliant on outside energy. One possiblity is an over-bearing/over-controllive parent/spouse. Build up your self respect. Spend a few minutes-hours a day meditating and focusing on generating energy and feeding that energy to yourself. Slowly build up the ability to say what you mean at other people. As you grow less dependant and vent your anger you will most likely lose the need to be dependant on them and thus lose the anger for them and go into the "in through one ear and out through another" method.

Their comments effect you only as long as you are unable to generate your own energy and once you get to a point where you can generate your own energy you lose your dependance on them and thus anything they say cant harm you unless you let it harm you. Your anger is a reflection of your existance being threathened and it is threathened because of your subconcious addiction to them.

My advice would be to love yourself, figure out what is the reason for your lack of love for yourself, meditate on loving yourself (loving yourself is the first key step in truly loving what is outside of yourself), and slowly let your anger exit you.

And to answer your question.

Morality is relative to the situation a person is in. So my morality is my morality and i define it as i see fit. So my moral is my code of behavior that isnt dependant on the situation and urges. If i dictate as my moral that i will not kill and i have a urge to kill someone morals usually over-ride my desire to kill. Morals is my concious mind giving instructions for those moments it cant give instructions.

Respects

-Aki

3 (edited by manyeagles 2006-05-25 16:31:46)

Re: being nice vs being real

Follow your heart withought any words tumbling through your mind.  It is so easy to put labels on the day to day stuff that transpires our way.  So frustrating!!!!!!!!  roll

Many a times I've found it helpful to listen to others communications (mostly non-verbal)  and getting feedback from them.  It can be very frustrating at times, but when we endeavor to place ourselves in an aspect of non-judgemental beingness (with all our heart and soul),  we begin to know and understand.

If there is no time
      Then you have time for everything.
   You're never in a hurry.
That's true freedom.

4 (edited by titmouse_ 2006-05-25 16:57:27)

Re: being nice vs being real

Self image, pretense, justification, denial: these are outward signs of a "good person".

Self love, curiosity, self responsibility, accountability: these are the outward signs of an "authentic person".

None of us live up to the standards we set for others. A "good person" may never perceive the "other". An authentic person may be slightly abrasive in interpersonal relations trying to speak their truth. A "good person" will be guarded not to jeopardize their image of "goodness". This is not to say that an authentic person does not appear "good".

I like to use aphorisms because they speak to the nature of the unconscious. I feel the authentic personality of another being is rooted in one's conscience. This is where the "pretense" cannot shield the emotions from injury from  truth. This is a deeper truth that resides in the personal unconscious and linked to the collective unconsciousness. The anima/animus is the link to the Divine Nature of things.


"A true friend will tell you the things you need to know;  out of convenience, others will tell you what you want to hear"
~~carefulcarpenter

Fun fact: Great Tits are common in Europe

To know love is to know trust; to know oneself is to know truth
~~carefulcarpenter


1+1=1

Re: being nice vs being real

Just don't be too honest, like Jim Carey in Liar Liar.

Seriously, don't be too hard on yourself.  I'm sure "Mr. Nice Guy" has standards too.  There's listening, and then there is toleration of incessant babble from the inconsiderate. 

Even "Mr. Nice Guy" has to look out for himself.  "Mr. Asshole" is listening from the next room saying "Don't make me come over there!"

I've had mixed success with projecting the thought "shut up" into a blabbermouth's mind.  It that doesn't work I have to think of something else. 

It's healthy to be an honest asshole sometimes.  It's also possible to be a cleverly indetectable and stealthy one (combo of tact, strategy, and humor) -- if you're at making jokes you may good at this. 

It's a matter of striking a balance.

One other thing -- I'm pushing forty, and I've kind of mellowed with age.  I have gained patience for really listening to people and enjoying them.

Take care and good luck.

6 (edited by titmouse_ 2006-05-26 16:08:27)

Re: being nice vs being real

pocketable-L wrote:

Whats the use of morality ?

What do you think ?

Morality is the establishment of standards for quality experiences in a culture; these guidelines that benefit the common good. Good in this framework means compassion, and responsibility to the group. A "good person" embraces a morality which brings the most social benefits to the group. The "image" of a good person is not always supported by good behavior, and therefore, integrity of action with belief is important. Social penalties are invoked by a community. On the global scale "good person" is rather undefined. The same goes with "quality". Morality and quality may be subjectively experienced through spirit and passion.

With globalization and the prospects for a greater integral model ie. Ken Wilber's Integral Approach,  tries to define levels of morality. The "good person" is a product of the paradigm from which one views others. Wilber refers to the term "meme" to label each of these strata of spiritual development.

From the perspective of Christ, perfection is the ability to see "good" in all people; to love all-- and to expell the shadow from the human psyche through foregiveness, love, acceptance;  and leave judgment to Grace.



"Blinded by self-importance....the visionaries of society haven't the vision of a blind musician nor the perception of a churchmouse_"
~~carefulcarpenter

Fun fact: Great Tits are common in Europe

To know love is to know trust; to know oneself is to know truth
~~carefulcarpenter


1+1=1

Re: being nice vs being real

Thanks all for your responses.

(Btw titmouse, we see red tits a lot here. )

"I've had a traumatic youth.
My father drank.


And my mother ate."                                       

Kama

8

Re: being nice vs being real

I like the insight people,
It's better to be a real asshole than a fake nice guy.  Has anyone noticed the nice guy image dialect and script?
The street market research people are great.

9 (edited by titmouse_ 2006-05-27 18:07:52)

Re: being nice vs being real

Altruism is another way to label kindness and generosity.

Altruism has two forms: kin altruism and reciprocal altruism. Kin is the way we treat our extended family; this is based on unconditional love. Reciprocal altruism is based on a mutual responsiveness that assists us with our survival needs. Non-reciprocol altruism is extremely rare.

Being nice does not constitute a pretense, but pretense is often a cover for cheating. "Ms Nice Guy" may be up to a relationship not based on reciprocity. Friendships are strengthened by a mutual resonance of compassion for another of similarity. "Mr. Nice Guy" has little interest in longterm resonance. Look at the track record of the "image" and "pretense" and you will find the flaws in their perfection.

"Mrs. Nice Guy" will want to sell you future benefits for shorterm gains. A big smile goes a long way, until you make shorterm demands of them. Other indicators are status, wealth and financial stability, enticements, unrealistic expectations, and charm. The slip-ups are usually in the small things like "little white lies", "half truths", "double standards", "lack of openness", "hypocrisy". They like to encourage your dependence. Your addictions are their tools of control.

Authentic people are more skeptical and open. "Mr. Nice Guy" works to study your nature and finds ways to validate you before you exchange services or otherwise enter into a relationship. "You worry too much", or "you think too much", "Don't worry, I'll take care of you", are classic utterances of these people.

Here is an example that a friend told me about her husband who is an extreme example of this type of behavior: before they were engaged he said, "If you marry me I will take you any place in the world that you want  to go". She said, "Africa"....and has since regretted being so gullable. He took her there and other places; she has earned every cent she got from this well-to-do family. They are a disfunctional lot--these "people of the lie". For the most part they will not lift a finger to assist you-- without a calculated personal advantage. Desiring more for less is their M.O.

Reference book: "People of the Lie" by M. Scott Peck

Fun fact: Great Tits are common in Europe

To know love is to know trust; to know oneself is to know truth
~~carefulcarpenter


1+1=1

Re: being nice vs being real

interesting, sgot me thinkinh : false modesty vs boasting, 2 sides of same coin. or two coins of the same side.
let there be no coin.

"I've had a traumatic youth.
My father drank.


And my mother ate."                                       

Kama

Re: being nice vs being real

OWMY.............that i write that ?..owwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa....what's that, ? shit they'er everywhere....h what? who said you grow wiser when you grow older ? its waorse! very worse. owwwwww you wouldn't beleive. who constructed this ? still full respect for you people answering and giving your thoughts!
its massive! i am alright ! jesus was right ! what a night. how much are we? let's go play agian, like we used to! big words is good to hide. theres a lot of constructions here and everyxwhere. do'nt worry about my constructs. ist allright. snippets!

"I've had a traumatic youth.
My father drank.


And my mother ate."                                       

Kama

Re: being nice vs being real

titmouse_ wrote:

Altruism is another way to label kindness and generosity.

Altruism has two forms: kin altruism and reciprocal altruism. Kin is the way we treat our extended family; this is based on unconditional love. Reciprocal altruism is based on a mutual responsiveness that assists us with our survival needs. Non-reciprocol altruism is extremely rare.

Being nice does not constitute a pretense, but pretense is often a cover for cheating. "Ms Nice Guy" may be up to a relationship not based on reciprocity. Friendships are strengthened by a mutual resonance of compassion for another of similarity. "Mr. Nice Guy" has little interest in longterm resonance. Look at the track record of the "image" and "pretense" and you will find the flaws in their perfection.

"Mrs. Nice Guy" will want to sell you future benefits for shorterm gains. A big smile goes a long way, until you make shorterm demands of them. Other indicators are status, wealth and financial stability, enticements, unrealistic expectations, and charm. The slip-ups are usually in the small things like "little white lies", "half truths", "double standards", "lack of openness", "hypocrisy". They like to encourage your dependence. Your addictions are their tools of control.

Authentic people are more skeptical and open. "Mr. Nice Guy" works to study your nature and finds ways to validate you before you exchange services or otherwise enter into a relationship. "You worry too much", or "you think too much", "Don't worry, I'll take care of you", are classic utterances of these people.

Here is an example that a friend told me about her husband who is an extreme example of this type of behavior: before they were engaged he said, "If you marry me I will take you any place in the world that you want  to go". She said, "Africa"....and has since regretted being so gullable. He took her there and other places; she has earned every cent she got from this well-to-do family. They are a disfunctional lot--these "people of the lie". For the most part they will not lift a finger to assist you-- without a calculated personal advantage. Desiring more for less is their M.O.

Reference book: "People of the Lie" by M. Scott Peck

Very true.

One thing I've noticed is that most "people" who fit this profile usually have some serious problems with empathy. Someone who mistakes kindness for weakness should always be avoided, but the good news is that this is easy, since they usually have no idea that they've completely blown it until you're already long gone.

Re: being nice vs being real

Be yourself.

"Don't eat any wooden nickels."

Re: being nice vs being real

People can be honest with compassion, it' s just much harder than being honest in a blunt, "glad I got that off my chest regardless of the impact on others" kind of a way

Re: being nice vs being real

Being real and authentic is good mental health maintenance. Dr. Peck says that people loose their integrity and identity as they move up the ladder. Other opinions I have read say that the upper 5% tend to be sociopathic. This is supported by new authors; a recent book "The Sociopath Next Door" by Martha Stout does a fair job of giving general stereotypes of this behavior.

The world will change as we discuss the traits of the  "people of image". We may be doing them a service, because in the treatment of "evil" we will heal our enemy. This was the gift that Jesus left in His teachings. The "people of image" have a difficult time with authenticity and compassion. These are aspects to their being that they were not born with, from opinions I have read. On the lower end we deal with these people in our penal institutions. At the upper end we find psychopathy in our leadership. Corporations are breading grounds for the expression of these traits: image, lying, deception, scapegoating, apathy, lack of personal responsibility, greed, malignant narcissism, ...... did I say IMAGE?

"The good hands people"; are you really in good hands?

"the carefulcarpenter"; is s/he really careful?



"Impatience is the hand that removes the mask that reveals the dark side of a person"
~~carefulcarpenter

Fun fact: Great Tits are common in Europe

To know love is to know trust; to know oneself is to know truth
~~carefulcarpenter


1+1=1