For some individuals the word PRIDE has a negative connotation of being puffed up and putting self before others. The definition of pride by the Free Online Dictionary www.thefreedictionary.com is different. It says a sense of one’s own proper dignity or value: self respect. Sounds like two different meanings for the same word.
How can you know which meaning of pride applies to you? Just listen inside to your inner voices. Do you judge OTHERS or feel COMPETITIVE? That’s putting your self before others. If you feel threatened or belittled in your interactions with another person, it’s probably the negative meaning of pride. JEALOUSY is a clear example of this. Rather than appreciating the qualities of another person, you may end up comparing yourself and judging others. The results can be ANGER and FRUSTRATION.
On the other hand, if you have SELF-RESPECT and a good self image, viewing others’ strengths can INSPIRE you to become a better person. You are NOT in this world to compete with others, but to become the best person YOU can be. Use others’ good or bad examples to motivate you to do better. Complimenting yourself honestly rather than constantly putting yourself down or comparing can build APPROPRIATE PRIDE.
A climate for SELF GROWTH doesn’t happen in a negative self-depreciating environment. You need to be your own best CHEERLEADER. It’s not prideful to COMPLIMENT your own efforts or abilities. In fact, it’s even healthy, if kept in balance. Let’s try looking back at your day so far. Evaluate how you’ve done with various projects. You’ll discover the first things that pop into your mind are FAILURES. Interesting. Try to curb the need for SELF CRITICISM and analyze where you made the greatest EFFORT in your day.
I was able to take time from my writing to look at my favorite family history site www.familysearch.org. There have been so many changes there that I’ve avoided checking out the new program FAMILY TREE. Today I looked, then learned how to input photos and stories. Now I’m excited about it. My PRIDE was keeping me away since I’ve been doing genealogy for 50+ years now and didn’t want to learn a new program. Once I realized that ATTITUDE, I put it behind me and examined the new changes. They are most helpful for leaving a LEGACY of my family on the Internet that will last long after I’m gone. NEXT TIME: Labels-Elderly. Don’t miss out on the Southern Utah Book Festival activities in St. George. AUTHOR EXPO with free lectures and book sales by local authors is Sat. Oct 19th 9am-6 pm at the Lexington Hotel in St. George 250 S Bluff St. All Lin’s books will be for sale there. Details at www.stgeorgebookfestival.org.
The dictionary definition seems to make pride synonymous with self-respect, a good thing. In that sense, it is a survival tool that can help us make sound decisions when dealing with pressure. Thanks for this helpful reflection.
ReplyDeleteI so agree with acknowledging your own talents. I remember how surprised I was when a dear friend said something like: "I'll take care of the files. I'm really good at organizing and getting things turned around." It was said in the same tone somebody would say: "I can't take care of the files - I have absolutely no organizational skills." The second statement wouldn't have surprised me, though. From that point on I decided to claim my own gifts without being coy or bragging - they are just part of the make-up.It seems disrespectful to God to minimize the gifts He has given while magnifying our perceived shortcomings.
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