Do you like to feel equal to others?

grahamg said:
Now I've tied myself in knots I'll go away and try to decide if I've made any sense here
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It's a pretty heavy subject

Do you like to feel equal to others?


I've never really compared myself to others
Too interested in others, their content, to consciously compare

I do dislike those that feel superior to their fellow beings

I have a little story about that;
(I seem to repost a lot of my writings.... so why should this thread be any different)


Who dost thou think thou art?

Between oil field jobs, I worked at a private golf course.
River Oaks Country Club.
Quite the area, and a good example of how things once were.

River Oaks blvd had this huge entry gate. More symbolic than functional.
It separated tiny houses outside the gate from the mansions within.
Pillared edifices with huge manicured grounds lined the boulevard, ending with the ‘club house’,
pillars, fountains, white jacketed people of color opening doors, stepping, fetching. ‘Yah, suh’.

I was mowing tees one Saturday morning, and shut my equipment down to give the twosome a shot at the green on this par three.
These guys were owners of things, like NFL teams.
Before they got into their swing regimen I asked if any of them knew what time it was.
‘Is he talking to you?’

I didn’t realize that my ranking as a member of the human race did not rate higher than a third person,
an entity to ignore, snub, or order to bring something.

‘They wouldn’t give me the time of day’ became a reality for me that morning.
I watched the dried up bitter old geezer twist his beef jerky torso and flail his pretzel arms, culminating in a feeble swing,
sending yet another worm burner half way to the hole.

Sad, but this, among all atrocious, is what I hate most.
Yeah, there’s idiots that happen to drive, kids (18-28) that need a good spanking,
and haters that in reality fear people that are not like them, and just downright mean people.

But, I so wish for the self-appointed royalty to be brought down, disrobed of their haughtiness, and abased in front of their subjects.
 

Ruth n Jersey said:
I am such an insecure introvert that I rarely feel equal to anyone. Maybe to just a few very close friends and family do I feel equal but definitely not better than anyone else.
At my age I have no desire to feel equal or superior to anyone. I just want to feel comfortable and content with the few friends and family I have left.
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A parody (right. :unsure: ?), and a good or "superior" one too! :p:D:ROFLMAO::giggle: .
 
When I watch the news or read newspapers and see the appalling things which some people do, I feel very superior to those people.
I think a lot depends on where you live and what sort of neighbours you have.
 

It depends on what you mean with "equal". Monywise-no. Popularity-no. Happy-yes. We are all approximately the same critter that rolled out of the factory in the year of our birth. It was a good model year. We all have the same parts. And we grew up in the same eras. Yeah, some may have more stuff, fame, and whatever; but we are all the same critter at heart.
 
fuzzybuddy said:
It depends on what you mean with "equal". Monywise-no. Popularity-no. Happy-yes. We are all approximately the same critter that rolled out of the factory in the year of our birth. It was a good model year. We all have the same parts. And we grew up in the same eras. Yeah, some may have more stuff, fame, and whatever; but we are all the same critter at heart.
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Really good response, (as all have been). I've taken my time thinking about it. I agree 100% the definition of equality comes into everybody's response, and simple as it sounds, a totally acceptable definition may always be elusive, so long as someone wishes to redefine it, as they always will in my view. :unsure:!
In social policy all kinds of people put forward their views, often claiming whatever they think is best will promote equality. I remain very wary of such claims however, and believe it somehow connects with the famous thoughts of Descartes, (was it): "God made man free, but everywhere he is in chains". I'll be tying myself in knots again if I attempt to say more. 🤬 .
 
When someone treats me poorly I consider it a reflection of their own bad bad manners rather than my self worth.

grahamg said:
"...but do you wake up each day telling yourself you are "equal", or maybe "special" instead?
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When I wake up in the morning I tell myself to brush my teeth, take a shower and enjoy the morning.

It doesn't dawn on me to measure my value against others. In my view we are all of equal value.

Like everyone else, my feelings are hurt sometimes by various a******s. But it doesn't make me feel unequal to them.
 
StarSong said:
When someone treats me poorly I consider it a reflection of their own bad bad manners rather than my self worth.
Grahamg wrote: "......,, but do you wake up each day telling yourself you are "equal", or maybe "special" instead?
Starsong wrote:
"When I wake up in the morning I tell myself to brush my teeth, take a shower and enjoy the morning. It doesn't dawn on me to measure my value against others. In my view we are all of equal value. Like everyone else, my feelings are hurt sometimes by various a******s. But it doesn't make me feel unequal to them."
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"Be very careful about all the talking to yourself, it can lead to.......?" (don't forget, "light and fluffy as you like", is just fine! :unsure::):cool: ).
 
Nope....while I may 'feel' equal to others I would much rather remain in the background
I always tend to put the other person's feelings ahead of mine which in retrospect is stupid
We are all supposed to be equal but some think they are more equal than others
 
chic said:
Consciously, I really don't compare myself to others. That's a recipe for either narcissism or inadequacy.
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Were you never told you were special then. :unsure: ?
Our secondary school specialised in telling us boys that, whether it had any truth in it or not, and telling my own child just how special she was must have been a great failing of mine, as I said it so often, ("I'm not that good", she said in response. :)🤸‍♂️🏆!).
 
(QUOTE="Phoenix, post: 1443970, member: 3565"]
To me it's not relevant. I am who I am. If someone doesn't like me, they don't have to even look at me. I like me. I am satisfied with who and what I am. I am glad to be me.
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Has anyone ever told you, you are special, and if they did then this could be relevant (?). Your comments even suggest, (quite rightly), you are special.
What children are told is highly relevant to whatever happens in the world, plus of course whatever innate mechanisms they might have for rejecting unfounded thoughts or ideas. I went for telling my daughter she was special, whilst "secretly hoping" she'd realise how important it is to seek to put herself on the same level as others, (arguably see herself as equal, rather than superior), in order to communicate well, and be compassionate.
I've stated I struggle to answer the question in the OP, so maybe it is irrelevant as you say, or simply a conundrum, something we can't answer nor explain adequately, like the meaning of the word love, or such like(?). :unsure::love: .
 
grahamg said:
(QUOTE="Phoenix, post: 1443970, member: 3565"]
To me it's not relevant. I am who I am. If someone doesn't like me, they don't have to even look at me. I like me. I am satisfied with who and what I am. I am glad to be me.
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Has anyone ever told you, you are special, and if they did then this could be relevant (?). Your comments even suggest, (quite rightly), you are special.
What children are told is highly relevant to whatever happens in the world, plus of course whatever innate mechanisms they might have for rejecting unfounded thoughts or ideas. I went for telling my daughter she was special, whilst "secretly hoping" she'd realise how important it is to seek to put herself on the same level as others, (arguably see herself as equal, rather than superior), in order to communicate well, and be compassionate.
I've stated I struggle to answer the question in the OP, so maybe it is irrelevant as you say, or simply a conundrum, something we can't answer nor explain adequately, like the meaning of the word love, or such like(?). :unsure::love: .
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Thank you for your kind words about me. I knew my parents saw me as special. The church I grew up in told me I was a sinner and could never measure up. It said that to everyone. I had to overcome that because it came with the idea that no matter what I did, I would end up in hell. I guess that's why I say whether or not I'm equal is irrelevant. Mostly I do what I need to do for me and at times others think badly of me. But like Shakespeare said, "To thine own self be true." I try to practice kindness. In Jonathan Livingston Seagull Richard Bach said, "Reach up and learn the meaning of kindness." It's a lifelong quest.
 
Equal as a human being? Yes of course. I have far more education than I need so I am ahead in that, but that's it.
I have a few achievements, but the issue is, who cares? I do. Others may not care at all--of no value to them, or they do not even understand what you or I do. Most people are like this. You can't explain your hobby or what makes you happy because others can't relate to it. That's all right. In old times, equal to refered to social status in regard to your family and material stuff. It still does but it is not cool to talk about it.
Some might regard me as less equal and some "superior". Ever notice when you enter a store or business, hospital , internet everyone becomes equal. They are equalizers.
 
Realizing who and what we are individually helps. Feelings of superiority, brutality and violence are just evidence of immaturity. I keep hoping people will out grow it. That's one of the reasons I write books. Other writers helped wake me up. So I want to pass it along by working my characters through their issues. It can provide a roadmap.
 
I'm trying to think what "special" really means in this context. I guess we are all special in one way or another, whether it's good or bad.

So we are not all "equal," as we are all unique. But we certainly all have equal value, and equal rights. Not sure if that's exactly what you're asking, graham.
 
Sunny said:
I'm trying to think what "special" really means in this context. I guess we are all special in one way or another, whether it's good or bad.

So we are not all "equal," as we are all unique. But we certainly all have equal value, and equal rights. Not sure if that's exactly what you're asking, graham.
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It is a subject where I hope people will run with it however they choose, and this is pretty much what has happened I think, (I may have said this earlier).

Anyone familiar with my postings on other threads, particularly threads in the Family and relationships section, will know I tend to raise issues surrounding "equality", especially where I believe, "equal" often means "equally few rights", because all are judged by the behaviour of those who may be reckless, or destructive in some way(?).

I admit too, I like feeling special sometimes, and may even need to tell myself that on occasion in order to be at my best! :unsure::rolleyes::) .
 
There are certain occupations where the people are much more superior than I am. Those with major college/university degrees, to me, certainly are. In her occupation, my wife is exactly like that. My last Supervisor/Director held a Bachelor's in Business and certified in Purchasing, Inventory Management and Production from APICS. Oh yes, much more superior and was getting the salary to prove it.

Now, when it comes to some other things, I feel like I'm, at least somewhat, superior. Like, handling/owning horses, being a former farmer and knowing about livestock and crop production, being involved in professional rodeo, sometimes photography and powerboating. No degree, but plenty of hands-on experience.
 
I'm just me. It's a case of WYSIWYG - what you see is what you get. ClassicRockr there are all kinds of ways to learn things. One of them is through college. The rest is hands on experience and/or deciding you want to learn something and figure out the best way for you to do that.
 
ClassicRockr said:
There are certain occupations where the people are much more superior than I am. Those with major college/university degrees, to me, certainly are. In her occupation, my wife is exactly like that. My last Supervisor/Director held a Bachelor's in Business and certified in Purchasing, Inventory Management and Production from APICS. Oh yes, much more superior and was getting the salary to prove it.

Now, when it comes to some other things, I feel like I'm, at least somewhat, superior. Like, handling/owning horses, being a former farmer and knowing about livestock and crop production, being involved in professional rodeo, sometimes photography and powerboating. No degree, but plenty of hands-on experience.
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I take college degrees with a big grain of salt. I have a BS in Engineering Science, an MS in Management, and a MS in Electronic Systems. They mean a great deal in a few limited arenas, and absolutely nothing in most of rest of what we encounter in life. Down-to-earth practical common sense, hands-on experience, and a good value system count for far more as we weave our way through life. You won't get those from a book.
 
Do I like to feel equal to others?

I know someone will always be greater or lesser than me, so I'm not pressured to feel equal to anyone. I know who I am, what I want and that's all that matters to me. Things may not go my way all the time but I climb, go around obstacles to reach my goals.
 
jerry old said:
Okay, here's a poll where you can find yourself
1. Superior
2. Sub-perior
3. In-between, but not sure if I'm in-between group 1 or 2
4. Stupid
5. Worse than stupid
6. Way too smart to say
7. can't do the math, to many categories.
8. don't care
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LOL, depending on the subject, I could find myself in any one of those categories.
 

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