Dignity

Dignity does not originate in who or what you are in life. Dignity originates in how you are in your life. It is not snobbery. It is not ostentation.

There is no dignity in poverty or wealth. There is no such thing as genetic dignity. Dignity does not come with a luxury car, world travel or a big house.

Developing dignity as a characteristic comes with self-knowledge and self-development. Confronting and living the truth of my own life while bearing it with humility and acceptance has helped me to remain dignified under many forms of duress. 

The self-centered and thoughtless have no dignity, no matter how successful or materially powerful they may become. A simple survey of many of the powerful in Washington will quickly support that supposition. Dignity is not an affectation. It can be seen in the eyes and manners of those who have it. Its absence is also readily observable.

Practice builds dignity. By focusing the mind on personal honesty and opening it to education, the most undignified person can attain dignity with commitment and effort. Walking through life in mindfulness and compassion promotes respect and self-respect in the practitioner. This is the basis of being a dignified human being.