Definition: Dignity

So I think that the first section of this blog is going to be dedicated to defining some qualities that are important for a meaningful life. Today I wanted to talk about dignity, one of the qualities that gave so much charm to the last few generations.

Reserve is not a lack of expression, simply a temperance of it.

Merriam-Webster defines dignity as formal reserve or seriousness of manner, appearance, or language. The lives lived by Americans today are, on a large scale, undignified. What though, is so undignified about the American public?

In recent times peoples’ lives have become public forum. I think it is only exacerbated by the constant liberalizing of privacy. You can’t turn around without seeing your best friend’s tweet, your boss’s latest Facebook status update, or the who’s who of Hollywood and all of their private business on every television channel. Publicity then, however necessary in our culture, has become the enemy of dignity.

It seems that at one time dignity was about showing the world a stoic and virtuous veneer, stiff upper lip and all of that. Things change as do the times and so today, as a new generation takes it place at the head of our ever changing world, dignity will no longer be about a reserve of expression but about a reserve of public therapy.

Thirty, forty years ago dignity was about not expressing yourself because it altered your dignified demeanor. Royalty milling about with common folk and the like. Today’s key to living a dignified life is not to hamper your expression or creativity; it is to express your life to the appropriate people, when and where appropriate. In an age when self expression is so valued I think that is an important distinction.

I’ll simply leave you with this. All things in moderation, dignity included (as well as the lack thereof). Love, laugh, and live. Finally, always remember to smile.

Love,

Andy

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