Pride is defined as: "a feeling of deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from ones own achievements, the achievements of ones close associates, or from qualities or possessions that are widely admired"
This pride is something that is positive and greatly benefits you as a person and your personal self image and viewpoints. Pride is something to strive towards and always maintain a high level of.
In my experience, there is something called "Negative Pride" and I call it for the lack of better wording. Negative pride is often associated with actions that cause harm, the inability to accept feedback of yourself to help you improve, a sense constant sense of being attacked and feelings of superiority in the knowledge you possess. It is the exact opposite of being humble. It is often associated with expression such as "They have too much pride", "I have to protect my pride" etc etc. We all know those lines.
In my opinion, negative pride is a deadly sin - holding you back from so many things. From the true joy and self fulfilment of being able to understand your flaws and become a better person. Negative pride is what comes before the fall - when you are forced to be humble and accept the flaws and are forced into creating change. Negative pride makes you wait for someone to make the first move, stops you from saying what is on your heart and mind - out of fear of it possible making you seem weak. Negative pride is the mental roadblock to achieving true greatness (Lesson 10).
I have in past months been noticing the negative pride that I have in myself, some confused it with strength. My negative pride has caused many many painful situations with lots of lonely moments, because instead of reaching out for help I would be to proud. Negative pride comes coupled with conclusions, incorrect beliefs and untrue stories then labelled as fact.
Eventually, my negative pride became a negative fall. It was a high fall, with many broken "bones" and egos. The result was someone brought to his knees, all the moments of negative pride becoming moments of shame with apologies that needed to be made. Only then did I regain my positive pride, my real strength - by not hiding from the truth of my mistakes and having the strength to apologize for what I had done and the effects of my actions.
There are two kinds of pride, both good and bad. 'Good pride' represents our dignity and self-respect. 'Bad pride' is the deadly sin of superiority that reeks of conceit and arrogance. - John C. Maxwell
Eventually, my negative pride became a negative fall. It was a high fall, with many broken "bones" and egos. The result was someone brought to his knees, all the moments of negative pride becoming moments of shame with apologies that needed to be made. Only then did I regain my positive pride, my real strength - by not hiding from the truth of my mistakes and having the strength to apologize for what I had done and the effects of my actions.
There are two kinds of pride, both good and bad. 'Good pride' represents our dignity and self-respect. 'Bad pride' is the deadly sin of superiority that reeks of conceit and arrogance. - John C. Maxwell
Dear readers, dont let your negative pride stop you from moving towards and opportunity to have positive pride. Do not allow pride to stand between you and greatness, do not allow it to stand between you and a good relationship. Be humble. Show admit you mistakes. Let them go (Lesson 5) and be proud of being someone who has the courage to start again and change your world (Lesson 6).
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