Pride works from within; it is the direct appreciation of oneself. --Arthur Schopenhauer
Pride, like all emotions, has two faces: one healthy and one sick. It is our challenge to use the healthy side well. Sick pride fills us with ourselves, looks down on others, and has no room for generosity. Healthy pride is heavy with humility. If we can feel joyful when we succeed, and tell others about it honestly, we are not being boastful.
Sick pride often keeps us from doing things because we are too proud to ask for help when we need it, or too proud to risk failure, or too proud to do anything that might not turn out perfect.
Healthy pride about our greatest victories always comes with the awareness that we did not do it all by ourselves. We had the aid, advice, and encouragement of loved ones. In all things that really count, we never walk alone. Even those who claim pride is not a virtue admit that it is the parent of many virtues.
"Healthy pride is heavy with humility". Amazing concept - totally new to me. I've always related pride as the leader of the seven deadly sins as suggested in the 12 & 12. I never equated healthy pride with humility - that' s just amazing. More gratitude = more humility but now healthy pride is heavy with humility. Absoulutely amazing. There are so many things I have been proud of in the past, I just didn't know how to internalize that pride regardless if I got kudos or not. After 20+ years in AA, I just got involved with ACOA just last month. Now I'm so much more aware of building up self-confidence & self-esteem which has been missing for so many years. Thans so much for reminding me that it's good to internalize that pride as something really good, realizing that is only through His grace & those around me who help make these things possible. But "healthy pride is heavy with humility" is just amazing! You've truly touched a soul today. Many thanks, Pat B.
