Modesty is seemingly becoming a controversial topic. Perhaps, our modern world makes it look so. This is because, I remember a time while younger and from old times where modesty had a specific definition and it was all known as that. Today, there seems to be a lot of say on one topic. Differing views on what this subject is.
It's an interesting discourse though I will say, and a needful one. Perhaps the controversies make it more of a thing to discuss. This has been a long-time discussion and having to give my thoughts on it in this post seems interesting. This is a crucial matter that has gone on to impact our world and society today.
As per the prompt; what do you think modesty is and is it close to what the modern world categorises as modesty?
Growing up, we had a perspective on modesty based on what was presented and acknowledged. The narrative seems to be different today. I know it isn't something that started now. It was something that was slowly creeping in, setting a new narrative which today has become clear to many eyes and several minds.
What does modesty mean? It's the sense of doing things in an acceptable and decent way. Now, someone could say, What are the metrics for the definition of an acceptable way of doing something? Well, we can decide to be blind and deaf to it, but every human has a sense of morality in their mind that leads us to the truth about what is acceptable or not. Ultimately, what is modest or not could be considered through such.
I came from and grew up in a society and a time where this was upheld as the definition for what being modest means; be it in character, in lifestyle or in dressing. Beyond just a societal perception and relation to it, I find it personally, in agreement and conformity to what being modest should mean.
Is modesty close to what the modern world categorises it as? From what we see today, I could say that modesty seems to be far from what our world today counts as. The reality of this reflects in various utterances, dressings, characters and in lifestyles as a whole. Some of the things seen as modest are now considered old-fashioned and outdated.
The concept or definition of a matter as this shouldn't be changed because of an advancement in time. Growth of the modern world shouldn't take away the value of modesty once highly possessed, but sadly becoming a shadow today. The thin line should be drawn and the reality of what modesty is should be clearly spelt out.
Contrary to the popular self-enticing modern belief about modesty being a matter of the heart and not necessarily outward appearance, I find it horrendously untrue. For one, the contents of our hearts are reflected in how we act, speak or do anything. We say we're modest, then let it show in the appearance of our words and our clothing, not hidden in our hearts alone.
The heart is the root cause of every human action. So, if one says modesty is a matter of the heart, exclusive of outward appearance, then it limits the heart to only a blood-pumping organ. But we're constantly a reflection of our heart and the state of it. Yes, what is considered modesty in our modern world has a bad icing on the cake to it. It's definitely seen differently in many senses which shouldn't be. Modesty starts from the heart, but it should extend to the outside as well.
Images are mine.
