Pleasure Bouquets: Modest Desire

Is it possible to be modest about one’s desire for something, or someone? Doesn’t the passion inherent in desire preclude modesty? In the 21st century, is modesty even a trait one would want to have? Should we not be proud of our achievements, vocal in our opinions, firm about our pleasures, confident in our passions? How can modesty not wither, unseen, in the shadow of boldness, given our penchant for hotter, richer, younger, bigger, better, faster, more? I fear the pale palette bouquet is rarely as desirable as a blood red rose.

Modest Desire

Modest Desire

But it smells just as sweet.

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by on March 1, 2009  •  Permalink
Posted in flora & fauna, life
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Posted by emmajames on March 1, 2009

http://pleasurenotes.com/pleasure-bouquets-modest-desire/

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5 Comments

  1. natalie

     /  March 1, 2009

    hmmm…i would say that desire is diametrically opposed to modesty. when i desire something, it taps into my id–the pleasure principle. modesty lives somewhere else in my brain…maybe in my super-ego?

    it’s hard to be modest in a country where people define others by what they do, who they know, where they live, and what “stuff” they own. look at the popularity of the social websites (facebook, et al) and blogging and you can see that life seems to be about self-promotion.

    now, is that a bad or good thing? that’s a post for another day because i’m done blathering.

    as for the flowers…i prefer the pale ones.

    natalie’s last blog post..“I could really go for a stomach virus…”

  2. justjp

     /  March 2, 2009

    I actually thought of you when I developed a new beer recipe. It is a pale ale with Plumeria and Hibiscus flowers infused into the ale. I have to wait until summer, but you were the inspiration.

    justjp’s last blog post..Helping the guys

  3. verybadcat

     /  March 2, 2009

    I think you can be modest and passionate at the same time, even about desire. Modesty is about what we show others. Some of my deepest and most intense desire is very well hidden from others……..

    verybadcat’s last blog post..Trying

  4. brookem

     /  March 4, 2009

    great food for thought!

  5. emmajames

     /  March 5, 2009

    Natalie: I refuse to believe that desire is a bad thing, but I do agree that our society, while rewarding false modesty, rarely encourages true modesty. I appreciate your thoughts. Welcome to Pleasure Notes.

    JP: I am truly touched. I adore being an inspiration. I even make a good muse.

    VBCat: Oh, well said! And so very true. But I am also frequently amazed by how poorly hidden the desires I think well hidden actually are to those who really know me.

    Brookem: Thanks! And welcome to Pleasure Notes.