Having Spirit (follower, conventions)

[Lightkeeper]

This question came to mind from another forum. Is breaking the rules or laws the only way to show you have spirit? Can we follow the rules and still have spirit?

[Jaymes]

Originally Posted by Lightkeeper

This question came to mind from another forum. Is breaking the rules or laws the only way to show you have spirit? Can we follow the rules and still have spirit?

I'm not sure I understand you. What do you mean by having spirit?

[Sunstone]

Originally Posted by Jensa

I'm not sure I understand you. What do you mean by having spirit?

I think one aspect of "having spirit" is not allowing laws, rules, social conventions, etc to prevent you from being true to yourself, from following your boon (as Joseph Campbell puts it). I don't think that necessarily means that you have to break the laws, rules, etc. But it certainly means in practice that you are often required to work around them, bend them, and perhaps sometimes break them. Lightkeeper's question is an interesting one.

[Lightkeeper]

Originally Posted by Jensa

I'm not sure I understand you. What do you mean by having spirit?

As opposed to not being a risk taker. Having spirit to live life to the fullest and to be who you are no matter what.

[Ceridwen018]

You don't have to be an outlaw to have or show spirit. I agree with Sunstone. You have to stand up for what you believe in and live for yourself. Be a leader, not a follower--that kind of stuff.

[Sunstone]

"To thine own self be true" is often difficult given a number of things, not the least of which are the many laws, regulations, social conventions, etc. that are made on a "one size fits all" basis. But genuine happiness is nearly impossible unless one is being true to oneself. In practice, that does mean that at times we have to break or bend the rules. The question is how wisely we do so, for it's not good to foolishly break or bend the rules.

[Lightkeeper]

Originally Posted by Sunstone

"To thine own self be true" is often difficult given a number of things, not the least of which are the many laws, regulations, social conventions, etc. that are made on a "one size fits all" basis. But genuine happiness is nearly impossible unless one is being true to oneself. In practice, that does mean that at times we have to break or bend the rules. The question is how wisely we do so, for it's not good to foolishly break or bend the rules.

Thank you for clarifying that. I might add that putting your life and someone else's life at risk for something frivilous is not being true to yourself. Which brings up another question is selfishness being true to yourself or is part of being true to yourself and being spirited also looking out for our loved ones?

[Sunstone]

Originally Posted by Lightkeeper

Thank you for clarifying that. I might add that putting your life and someone else's life at risk for something frivilous is not being true to yourself. Which brings up another question is selfishness being true to yourself or is part of being true to yourself and being spirited also looking out for our loved ones?

I've known many people who it could be said of them that their selflessness was an aspect of their being true to themselves. For instance: A naturally kind and generous person would be denying his self -- he would not be true to himself -- if he tried to root out his selfless nature in order to blend in with others who were more ruthlessly self-centered than he.

When we love, we are true to ourselves. At least, we are if it is true love. And part of being true to ourselves when we love is looking out for our loved ones to the extent that they need being looked out for.

This is a fascinating topic with many nuances, isn't it?

[Mr Spinkles]

I think we can be risk takers without breaking the rules. It takes a bit of spirit, after all, to refuse drugs when there's peer pressure.