It's okay to have some pride in yourself

Minutes ago I just managed to end an argument I'd seemingly subconsciously been having with myself for a rather long time. Being raised with Christian values and having read the big book a bit, I had come to my own conclusion (in my pre-teens) that any pride in oneself whatsoever is the path to evil, and had automatically tried to avoid it at all costs. The thing about pride, is that it's a rather complex emotion, one that is underpinned by self-perception and attitude. It is also a double-edged sword and as such we can use it to either defend our own self-worth or to attack the self-worth of others. It is the latter of these two types of pride that gets all the bad rap from religious texts, but this can often lead to the association with pride as a whole being bad, which it is not. This article summed it up quite nicely for me:

Pride can cut like a knife and the outcome will depend on which side of the blade you choose to employ. You can choose to use the negative side of the blade or the positive side of the blade. You can identify which side of the blade is being used by examining the intention and expression of the pride in question.

When pride is expressed with the intention to inspire a comparison in which another person will be made to feel small or inferior is a negative use of the blade. In this situation the blade is being used to cut someone down, to harm and cause injury.

When pride is expressed with the intention to build yourself or someone else up and to infuse a feeling of satisfaction is a positive use of the blade. In this situation the blade is being used to free yourself or another from the bonds of self-doubt.

 I have recently experienced myself symptoms that I would attribute to a much-lessened sense of self-pride. I was finding it harder to focus on or commit myself to doing my work, often out of a panic-induced loathing for my own work. Whether or not these happenings are direct consequences of a lack of pride is not something I could say for definite, but regaining some self-confidence by having the confidence to be proud of myself definitely does help.

Live long, be strong, LOVE YOURSELVES!

(not too much, just enough ;) )