I am also a noob. I have read this thread from post #1. I must say where I feel for someone in troubled times and am careful how I judge them. I too may find myself in a tough situation and would appreciate some understanding. But along with that understanding is my obigation to repay the kindness.
It was mentioned above about Honor. Honor is something that has been forgotten in THE WORLD today. And it is worth taking a minute to think about it. The working definition of honor is a elusive thing. But it is tangible once it is gained, you can almost touch it.
Wordsworth put it this way:
"Say, what is honor? 'T is the finest sense Of justice which the human mind can frame, Intent each lurking frailty to disclaim, And guard the way of life from all offense Suffered or done." --Wordsworth.
And dictionary.com defines it as:
hon·or(n)
1. Principled uprightness of character; personal integrity.
2. A code of integrity, dignity, and pride, chiefly among men, that was maintained in some societies, as in feudal Europe.
It has been said that honor is dependent on the eyes of the beholder. I disagree, honor transcends all boundries. It is a way of life. It isn't not making mistakes; it is how you make amends for those mistakes. It is knowing when it is time to stand up for a friend or sit down and let that friend deal with his own indiscretions. Knowing when words have become hurtful and disruptive and have abandoned all sense of meaning and substance. It is being responsible for your obligations and accountable for your actions.
Now, I know I'm am a noob here and haven't quite figured out what "getting it" is...
But I hope I'm on the right track.
Plz excuse the rant
Puros