Ode To Respect...

"...He said I've seen you here before, I know your name. Yeah, you could have your 

pick of pretty things..."

In all my walks of life I've witnessed the vanity of men that for themselves have sought station and fame to call it honor. I've watched them fail miserably trying to please others. Bearing for themselves the shame of those they sought to please only be tossed aside as collateral damage by those that used their zeal for their own advancement. Oh my people, my problem has never been laziness or lack of skill. My problem has always been...my inability to be impressed by office, title or fame.

Yet what has been my problem to them that sought to usurp their authority over me has left me with a reputation of honor that has propelled me beyond those above me to unsought higher plains. Where one would find me insubordinate, his superior would find in me a voice of refreshing honesty. In every space I've been, I have found it all the same. Those seeking to find place that are fine with a following of zombies that would never question them and those that seek no fame...that quitely sojourn earning respect through brutal honesty from those that question and those that don't. The former have an end to their station as the day always comes when they are seen naked as lesser imitations of the mask they wear. The latter? Oh they wander naked already...with nothing to hide but their graces lest anyone should think them more than they are.

I tell you the truth. There is no greater honor than to be able to stand before God knowing you have done your best to always be honest with others...and with yourself. A small thing I learned in prayer. Because I cannot lie to He who sees my thoughts and intents in prayer, I would be a hypocrite if I lived my life outside of my prayer closet any other way. It is in this truth that I came to understand that only two were deserving of all trust, all respect and all reverence...my conscience and my God. All others I meet with the understanding that they are flesh and blood like me. With the same propensity to fail, to lie, to deceive and to seek advantage. As such I show men grace if they do. I seek to understand and keep an open mind as to why they are the way they are. Some men will fault a woman that runs away from affection never taking into account that she, at one time or another, may have felt the pain of betrayal. An understanding man would seek his own heart to see if she is worth the strain of turning that around but many are quick to toss aside gold hidden under the piles of ash left by life.

I am no respecter of persons...nor will I ever be. I seek no praise, fame or accolade that doesn't involve a clean conscience or a "well done" from my Lord. I respect those that respect me and will always seek the truth outside the confines of convention. So this I pray for you: Stay true in intent. Be honest in your review. Never allow yourself to be used in the schemes of another and meet your station, whatever it is...with your best. Honesty has nothing to fear for even when it hurts...it will be remembered as honorable. Someone once told me "I hated you when you left but at least you were the one man that told me the truth". Look upon the man or woman that doesn't need the validation of others...THAT is a soul set free. Free...irrespective of law and convention. Think on that...I'm out

~Moses