Hey there, it's Willy, and I'm excited to discuss a topic that's been occupying my thoughts recently: pride. We've all heard that age-old adage, "Pride comes before a fall," and it's remarkable how much wisdom is packed into those simple words. This saying reminds us of a universal truth, one that I've come to truly understand. So, without much ado, lets jump into the fascinating journey of pride and its connection to life's ups and downs.
When I talk about pride here, am not referring to the good kind that comes from personal accomplishments or feeling proud of a job well done. Instead, am talking about the negative side of pride. This is when you start thinking you're better than others, refuse help or advice, and become stubborn about not wanting to learn or grow. This kind of pride can lead to problems if we're not careful about it.
I've had my fair share of experiences with pride, and I can tell you, they often didn't end well. Well, here are some valuable lesson I picked up when it came to handling pride:
Identify it
The initial phase involves being aware when that sneaky pride starts to show up. It can sometimes pretend to be self-confidence, but it's very important to distinguish between a healthy self-esteem and an overly big ego. For example, a situation where someone believes they're always right and never listens to others. This is a sign of inflated ego that we need to recognize.
Remain Willing to Learn:
One thing I learnt was that pride sometimes makes us close-minded to receiving feedback or guidance, and that can hold us back from developing as individuals. Keep in mind that nobody possesses all the solutions, and there's always something fresh to discover. For instance, think about a time when you didn't want to accept advice from a colleague because you thought you knew better. In such a case, pride then became a barrier to learning.
Embrace Humility:
Humility is like the remedy for pride. To me, it simply means recognizing your own strengths and limitations, showing respect to others, and being ready to consider different viewpoints. Now think about someone who's really skilled in a particular field but doesn't boast about it, listens to others, and values their opinions. That person is practicing humility.
Ask for Support When Necessary:
Pride might trick you into thinking you have to handle everything solo, but there's nothing wrong with reaching out for assistance or advice when you're dealing with difficulties. It's actually a display of strength, not a sign of weakness. In a situation where you're struggling with a complex task at work. If you ask a colleague for help, it shows that you're willing to seek support when needed, and that's a sign of great strength in facing challenges.
Gain Wisdom from Errors:
There are also instances when we need to face the outcomes of our prideful choices to fully grasp how they can be harmful. So, when we stumble due to our pride, we must see it as a valuable lesson and work to prevent making the same blunders again. Lets now imagine a situation where our stubborn pride led to an argument with a friend. We should be able to realize the mistake and make amends. This experience teaches us the importance of humility and helps us avoid repeating similar disputes in the future.
Ultimately, pride can trip us up as we travel through life. However, if we stay mindful, embrace humility, and stay open to learning, we can manage it and develop into kinder, more understanding people. It's crucial to recognize that we're all on this journey together, and there's always space for personal growth.
Written with Humility,
Willy.