What is the best characteristic that a human being can have?

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   savvydatingposted 9 years ago

   What is the best characteristic that a human being can have?
   
   For me, it is groundedness. What is it for you, and why?

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   gmwilliamsposted 9 years ago

   
   
   Thinking outside the box.  One must always question old paradigms.  One must also think beyond the societal, familial, & other artificial limits.  People fail to realize that they are limitless.  People are born with the ability to conquer & achieve anything they set their minds to.  However, parental, familial, & other societal paradigms teach people that they are limited & can only achieve so much & no more.

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      savvydatingposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Hmmm. Do you feel limited? And is your answer---There is no characteristic to be had unless our parents and such did not "limit" us?

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      gmwilliamsposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Not at all.  I am saying that people are born with lots of potential; however, they are taught limited paradigms by their family, adult authorities, & the general society.

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      savvydatingposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you, GM.

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   fpherj48posted 9 years ago

   Hello savvy...nice to see you.
   I'm never fond of questions that ask for ONE specific choice, because my mind immediately fills with numerous answers.  Then I must take the time to really focus on the one answer I feel would be foremost in my mind at this moment.  Isn't it always suggested that we go with the very first immediate thought we had?
   I think I'll do just that.  The moment I read your question, "Compassion" came to mind instantly.  I'm comfortable with this and I think I know why.
   
   I see compassion as the huge trunk of a large tree of blossoms & fruit.  The branches that are nourished and grow from this trunk of compassion are many.  They are healthy and beautiful, reaching up to form a complete and benevolent being.
   
   From our core of compassion is understanding, love, sharing and generosity.  Tolerance is the fruit of these branches and wisdom is the blossoms.  Until we can be a human being willing to look deeply within others, feel their emotions as though they are ours, relate to their thoughts and behaviors....how can we ever strengthen in character?
   
   I appreciate your choice of "groundedness," Savvy......a solid grip of reality, with both feet on the ground is essential to the balance we need in our lives. These blossoms keep us fair and just.
   Peace, Paula

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      savvydatingposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      A beautiful answer, Paula. And so eloquently written. Compassion is possibly the highest of human traits. Thank you for humoring with just one trait. Your choice is incredibly lovely.

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   StephaniaMichelleposted 9 years ago

   Being able to understand another persons feelings and actions from their point of view.

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      savvydatingposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Ah yes, having empathy is an incredibly important trait to have and something the world needs more of, Stephania.  Thank you.

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   Sakshi Davessarposted 9 years ago

   I think peace can be one such characteristic. If a person is peaceful inside then only peach can prevail outside and in his/her surroundings.
   very nice question indeed!

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      savvydatingposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Wonderful answer, Sakshi. You know what they say, "Still (peaceful) waters run deep. I appreciate your answer. Love your name, by the way!

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      Sakshi Davessarposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Thanku dear. You are absolutely correct about the still waters .oh thanku for liking the name as well

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   dashingscorpioposted 9 years ago

   
   
   Being a great listener while having a genuine interest in others.
   Having a great sense of humor is also another wonderful characteristic! Nevertheless sense of humor is like beauty in that they're both in the eye of the beholder.
   What passes for funny to one person is silly/immature to another.
   Being a great listener who is genuinely interested in others is priceless. Maybe this is another reason why therapy is in more demand these days. Many people are so wrapped up in their own issues. They don't have or want to invest time listening to other people's problems or concerns. A good listener has lots of friends!

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      savvydatingposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Another excellent answer. If humans really listened, there would be a lot less lonely people around. A good listener provides healing. Very thoughtful answer, dashing!

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   Billie Kelpinposted 9 years ago

   Wow,  questions like these help really refine one's thinking.  I was going to answer "selflessness" until I looked it up with all its nuances.  Closer to what I'd answer is "altruism" (defined as "the belief in or practice of disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others.").
   
   This question brought my mind to the converse concept and evoked a memory of the quote:  "We despise most in others, the qualities that we ourselves posssess."  The quality that I feel I most possess is selfishness, so conversely, (is that the right term?) the quality I admire most is one that falls under the definition of altruism. I've failed at that my whole life and probably lost my marriage and an enhanced life for my daughter because of selfishness.  (I guess this is a "Bless-me-Father-for-I have-sinned" kind of moment). 
   
   The ability to put our spouse's needs, our friends' needs, our children's needs, other "people's" needs above our own (not in a martyr-like sense), but out of true concern for their happiness for their growth seems to be one of the most difficult things in this life to do. (Wasn't it Eric Fromm, in "The Art of Loving" who said "love is the active concern for another's growth"? Star Trek addresses this in Spock's sacrifice and numerous classics do as well. "It is a far, far better thing I do than I have ever done before..." (Tale of Two Cities) Of course, then we have Aristotle who would argue, I believe, that there is no selfless act because no matter how intrinsic, selflessness has a reward.  But this is a wonderful question that takes on issues that all the great philosophers of all time have tried to answer!  It sparked me to look up Aristotle and Kant again after having a tiny taste of Philosophy 101, 45 years ago, and I enjoyed doing that very much!  Thank you, Sawydating.

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      savvydatingposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Billie, what an inspiring commentary on what it means to be a good human being. Thank you for sharing your personal story so unselfishly . I don't know if it was Eric Fromm you made that wise comment, but if he did, he was right. Love this answer.

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      Billie Kelpinposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Savvydating,  my thanks.  It's always nice to feel the way we think about something is shared and appreciated.  Cheers, Billie

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   joshiparasposted 9 years ago

   to have trust on others and to be trust worthy. I believe these two things are extremely necessary at almost any point of time in ones life.

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      savvydatingposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I do know that it isn't particularly healthy to go into a relationship with suspicion. Innocent until proven guilty, right? But seriously, trust and trustworthiness are beautiful traits.Thanks for commenting, paras joshi.

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   Joyfulcrownposted 9 years ago

   I think it is loving.  If a person truly loves everything other good characteristic follows.

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      savvydatingposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, without love, we have nothing. Good point, Joyfulcrown!

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    RLWalker LMposted 9 years ago

    Empathy.
    
    The ability to connect with another individual, on a level of feeling, is a sophisticated and powerful faculty of human intelligence. To recreate the subjective state of that other person in ones own subjective experience is just plain awesome.
    
    Forget math, athletics, bravery and wisdom. Empathy is cool!

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       savvydatingposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       Hi RL....so far, we have two votes for empathy. You are correct; it is a powerful faculty---and I appreciate your use of the word sophisticated. Great answer.

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       RLWalker LMposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       I also think it is the most attractive personality characteristic, at least for me. I get that "I wanna marry you feeling" when I see it shine in a girl, no matter what she looks like.

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       savvydatingposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       RL, What a perfect thing to say. It makes my heart go pitter-patter. I hope women can learn from your wisdom. ....I might have just fallen in love with you.

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    AshlyChristenposted 9 years ago

    unconditional love, that is the answer to all problems. to love and be loved in return!

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       savvydatingposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       That's two votes for love! I appreciate your input, Ashly.

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    savvydatingposted 9 years ago

    My dear fellow hubbers....Thank you for all of your beautiful answers. Some of the comments read like poetry. It is difficult to choose one best answer, as they are all incredibly thoughtful. Nevertheless, I will pick the one that covers the most ground. I will also add that besides being grounded, I believe discernment is an important characteristic for a human being to have. 
    My best, Savvy

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