What’s Your Contradiction?
Posted by VeRonda Wicks August 10th, 2009Greed and contentment. I’m thinking about these two words and I’m curious about your thoughts…
Recently, a boxer was robbed and killed in Atlanta. Vernon Forrest, a former boxing champion, was murdered senselessly because of greed. A guy robbed Forrest at a gas station, took off with his wallet, and shot him repeatedly from the back. I literally have to ponder on this murderer’s actions because it is just so random. I’m captivated by the notion and the obvious reality that I can choose to kill you because I want what you have…
What’s hard for me, I think, is the very public life of Forrest outside the ring. He resounded contentment as a humanitarian and lover of life. I mean, this guy wanted to change the world and imparted into children this same desire.
Why is this okay? I’m not really asking about the murderous aspect of it all because, unfortunately, stealing lives is very much a reality in this world. I’m more referring to the disproportionate meeting of greed versus contentment. I asked Hubby to give me an example of my lack of contentment so I could share it with you guys… He said that situationally, he felt that I am always content with where I am, good or bad (Stop buttering me up, Honey! LOL!). But he then continued by saying that regarding greed, I am quite greedy with my time (Don’t judge me… Crack up! And hey, he didn’t expound and I didn’t ask.)…
I’m showing my greed/contentment contradiction because I think we all possess it… That innate contradiction, that is. Well, don’t we?
August 10th, 2009 at 7:34 pm
I think that this battle between contentment and greed is what makes us human. It seems that those who are disproportionately greedy make it unsafe and disheartening for those of us trying to keep balanced.
Would you agree that desire feeds our greed, but desire can be a good thing. Without desire we would not have any passion, drive, or persistence. For instance, the boxer must have had a strong desire to become the best at his profession. Or was he greedy? There are many athletes that provide a basis for controversy over whether or not they are greedy or just passionate about the game.
On the flip-side, if I am too content, it could be interpreted as being lazy and not striving to accomplish goals or dreams.
O well, I guess my rant here proves your point of the innate contradiction. …and by the way, the killer is nothing but a coward!!!
August 11th, 2009 at 12:15 am
Hey Doug! Welcome back… you’re absolutely right. The killer is a coward. I guess I’m sad that it’s so common. But, onto what you discussed… Wow! You really went all out. I think we are a conbination of both. Balance is, indeed, what I’d wish for. The balance is what keeps our humanity in tact. See ya!!
August 11th, 2009 at 11:51 pm
Hey V… Once again you bring up a topic that makes one ponder a response before replying…
We as humans are not content… I mean where would mankind be if we were not content with our current situation.. we were not contect with walking so we trained horses to ride… we were not content wth the speed of hourses so we invented cars, then trains and so on. Thats the the positive side of not being content with the situation of human kind….
But lets flip the script and talk about the negatives of not being content with ones personal situation… we (well not all of us) look at others material successes with envy. They dont look at the work that one put in to achive their success. Just the end product…
I think that this needs to be looked at at a much deeper level… in this microwave “I want it now” age… people especially the younger generation tend to want material things with little or no effort… I thinkg society has a lot to do with that… but thats another post
Ok sorry for the rambling but I guess my point is that there is both a positive and negative side to the human characteristic of contentment.
And I think both parties can be blamed for the murder as well. What I read was the Forrest was carjacked at a gas station and he actually tried to chase down the carjaker. If there is no child in the car why would one attempt to chase it down? Material things can be replaced… Now dont get it twisted, I am not all letting the coward off that stole property that was not his and took someones life in the process. Again, more of that greed traint comming from mankind…
August 12th, 2009 at 12:01 am
Hey David… thanks for the insight. Yeah, I understand Forrest ran after the guy and I believe that was the wrong decision. I just didn’t choose to make him look ridiculous in death… I hoped people would get the point. But, again, you’re right… material things, man, made him run afer that guy. Actually, I felt like his actions stemmed from his ego, I mean, he was a boxer, and probably felt like no one could take him. The power of contentment… Wow, what would this world be like if this was the case?
August 13th, 2009 at 8:31 am
I think it’s human nature to NOT be content. Maybe not HUMAN nature so much as american nature. Because in other parts of the world, people are so much more content with much less.
August 15th, 2009 at 10:53 pm
Hey Sheila… I think you and Doug are in agreement, but you’ve brought a another interesting point to the table. Other countries do seem to be more grateful than Americans, huh? Wow… Hope to see you soon!