HarpingByAPixie
HONESTY is synonymous to INTEGRITY which, according to Mr. Google, is adherence to moral and ethical principles or soundness of moral character.
In a world of scarcity and competition where people are so focused with the most important character in their lives – the I, me and myself persona – does this noble quality still survive? In a world where we need to fit in, — where trying to be true to our core means divergence and stupidity; while conformity is a standard being uphold by society as normal — people, oftentimes, sacrificed integrity in order to get ahead in life. Survival of the fittest. Do anything and everything to stay in the race regardless whether we are losing ourselves in the process. Sad maybe, but that is a fact. I do not need to cite to you examples; just read or watch the news and you will find there a wealth of stories where ordinary persons as well as leaders sacrificed integrity and humanity for greed.
It is, therefore, a breath of fresh air when personally we experienced kindness and honesty from strangers. Humans who will not gain anything from us — humans who chose to do well when they have a choice to do otherwise — humans who decided that being a Good Samaritan has still a place in this realm even without media mileage.
Many times I was the receiver of this privilege…back in 2015, while in Bali, I left my bag containing all my money, mobile phone, camera, tablet and PASSPORT in a tattoo shop. I was carrying two heavy ones and placed my handbag for a while to give my shoulders some rest. I forgot to pick it up again when we left because both of my hands were full. I was travelling with the girls so, technically, I will not go hungry by my careless and stupid action. But, to lose a PASSPORT in a foreign land will spell huge misfortune.
Guess what? Few minutes later, while we were in a travel agency and still without me realizing it, the shop owner named Eddie (and for the rest of my life maybe I will not forget that name and will associate it with good thing) came carrying my bag. I would kiss the guy if I could; but, all I said was THANK YOU with a GRATEFUL smile and a promise that if I ever get a tattoo I will get it from his shop.
Anyway, I was reminded of this incident because recently, I had the misfortune of forgetting attentiveness and relying when I should not. We were in a two-week vacay in South Korea. I left a package in the hotel lobby containing the shoes I bought for my brother and niece as well as a pair of mine that I used for 3 occasions only — and snacks I bought for if we get hungry while waiting the flight.
I will not put any blame on anyone except myself. I should have triple-checked despite assurance that all luggage were already loaded (I went for a last-minute bathroom trip because you know it was a long way to the international airport). I only realized it was not there upon unloading of our stuff in the airport. Going back was no longer an option because that would mean missing our flight.
I did the next best thing — I sent messages thru email and FB messenger.
Luckily, I received a response from Mr. Min Sung Kim, general manager of DH Naissance Hotel, saying that his staff has found my package and currently in safekeeping. I am trying to work out that the same be sent to us via EMS (shipping cost, understandably, will be paid by us because it is not part of hotel service you know, lol) but his word of confirmation was a big relief.
Truthfully, the cost of the new shoes is not enough reason to make me lose sleep (although my Adidas shoes has sentimental value because it was a gift from my sister). However, bargain-hunters will understand my feeling. I spent many days with aching feet, scouring many stores, looking for best deals only to leave it, inadvertently, in public area. Lol! Stupid mistake. Now, should I bite my elbow for that?
Nonetheless, let me say, that honesty still lives in the heart of many people regardless of color and creed. After all, kindness, according to Socrates, is innate to mankind. Therefore if kindness is inherent in us then so is honesty.
And hey, if ever you visit Seoul, South Korea do stay in DH Naissance Hotel – it is conveniently located, staff are helpful, the beds are awesome (it has moving bed frame which you can adjust) and the bathroom could rival any five-star hotel (think of whirlpool bathtub, fancy shower, toilet with built-in bidet and supplies that include cologne, gel, hair spray, facial stuff). If you care to see the photographs click this link. Plus, you get free pizza and vitamin-c drink as welcome compliment by Mr. Min Sung Kim. Seriously. And this is no paid ad, by the way (I don’t do paid advertisement in my blog, people, just in case you are wondering — all my travels and incidental expenses are personally paid — I guess, I want to make it clear in the light of some controversy over ex-deal proposal by a blogger).
In closing, I will mention that this is an entry to Nitin Nair Writes writing activity called TRAIN OF THOUGHTS in which the week’s theme is about HONESTY. Should you like to join, please read the guidelines here. I might introduce this challenge here when I finally have free time because my friend, Nitin, is not quite ready to join Virily; but, of course, it will be dubbed with a different name.
Ciao!
I tend to be a very honest person, but only because I suck at lying
LOL! I suspected the same. I am high on honesty but, as I told Kim Johnson, maybe only because I have not been tempted yet with $1M to do something contrary to my principle ?
Yeah, it has nothing to do with my moral backbone. Entirely practical decision
Morality is just another design by the society to control the “herd” — I follow a simple credo — I do whatever makes me happy for as long as I am not willfully hurting anyone — of course, it is a completely different matter if someone pick on me and start a fight ??? the path has yet to completely tame my pixie nature ??
I live or die by ninja code
Uhm…like mutant ninja turtles? ??? Are you sure you are not from Prof X’s camp? ???
actually there are some ninjas in the X-men as well…
Thanks for dropping by — checked your new posts today and noticed I did not miss much
I did, yes, although I find your discussion of Virily more interesting
Yes – that is what I meant. Either me or my laptop may be a bit sleepy and so again I am short-cutting my reply and it did not come out nicely. Sorry. Of course, art is always an interesting subject — just that, your post on Virily is good to read in order to get updated — I am not quite yet adept with how it works
It is good that you do especially for people like me who do not understand how earning Virils work lol — I just write here without really thinking about that but I have issues with the notifs — too many unnecessary notifs
I think, the same way as Doc Andersen suggested, that notifs for Virils earned should be separate from notifs about interaction in one’s posts. And I know any action here may or may not earn me a Viril but earning it is not my primary consideration when, I say, talk to another person — like the way I am talking to you now. For me, our exchange is a sort of discussion and earning Virils while doing that is but a bonus. I wouldn’t care about earning Viril and keeping up with discussion if it is not amounting to anything sensible. I mean, we cannot exchange thank you for about a dozen times, can we? Hahaha hey, thanks a lot for chatting
It was a post he wrote either late last year or early this year — he talked about changes he wish for Virily. And hey, sorry I cannot catch up much with your post. The hospital has no wifi and data signal is slowwww as snail. Just checking and answering notifs take me forever lol. I am sure to read your posts when I’m done here. I read only the one about downvote.
It is a treasure and a relief to know that honesty is still there in this world. I like to think the majority of people are good and decent. Certainly the cruel impact of the ones who aren’t is frequently felt but it is a joy when we encounter those who have integrity. Excellent story 🙂
I still believe it is innate in many people to be kind — and I guess, it is easy to be honest about material things than our feelings.
I would rather have honest than live with lies and deceit.
I share the same view — although some honesty could also lead us to trouble and/or hurting someone’s feeling — I guess, honesty must be handled with compassion and discernment
ERRATUM:
“In a world of fast loves, greed…” [“and fast friends” was deleted in the updated version]
I edited and uploaded the revised version prior to publication but I am not certain why the released copy contained the old one. Having or making fast friends is not a bad thing — and putting it alongside fast loves made it as if it is and that is why I deleted it.
Honesty is always the best policy, but it can be the hardest policy of all.
Yes — as I said it is easier to be honest where material things are concerned. But sometimes we are not too ready to be honest where our feelings are concerned. So, you are right – it is the best but the hardest policy of all.
Its a good lesson for all of us. Who’s that don’t something in the real life. Such a good post.
Ahhhh well, Eddie, the Balinese, will always be a good guy in my book. I am still trying to request the hotel to send me the package but just knowing that they are safekeeping it is good relief
A powerful message here. I so enjoy doing for others, especially those who cannot do for themselves.
A giver — I think it is better to be the giver than the receiver. Some people especially have hard time when they are at the receiving end.