New blooms

Let's take a look at something new today. We've talked about divine ideals, getting to know yourself, and how one either likes or hates the things around them. Let's look at what is commonly thought of as a sin. Well, commonly in Western society. Though I do believe many other cultures look down on this as well.

Pride.

Thought I was going to say Lust, didn't you? Don't worry that will be in a different post.

So. Pride. This commonly comes up when I start talking about getting to know yourself and learning to like and love who and what you are and do. You start to find the things you're good at. You start to enjoy them because, you're good at them. But wait, that's Pride. That's suppose to be bad, right? I mean nobody likes an arrogant ass.

And right there you've hit upon the difference.

Most of the time, arrogance and pride go hand in hand. If you're prideful about what you're good at, you get arrogant. Or so the common thought goes. But think. I'm sure there is at least one person in your life that is simply amazing at something. Cooking, singing, writing, coding, reading, math, sports, the list goes on and on. Now, some of those people will flaunt that they're good at it. Think through the list though. In that list you should find a few that don't. They quietly accept your praise, smile, nod, and move on. Some of these people will think you're being nice. Some know that this is something they're good at but they don't need to flaunt it. What they do speaks for itself. That is the Pride I'm referring to.

From a historical perspective, Pride as a sin makes sense. With a large population indoctrinated against pride, it was easier to exploit lower classes. If they don't take pride in their work, how will they see value in it? Today that societal restriction isn't required to be in place.Yes, there's still class division and exploitation of the disadvantaged and a number of other things. The need for the common man to not feel pride in themselves for society to function is greatly reduced, however. The powers that be will not force you be shunned or beaten or punished for it.

Understand, though, the difference between pride and arrogance. It's can be a very fine one. The simplest comes down to a realistic understanding of what you're doing. It comes back to knowing yourself. Arrogance comes in most commonly when you think you're better than you are and you feel the need to prove yourself. There are times though when it's simply pride with malicious intent. Which, if that's the case, well, go back to the last post and take a look and the ideas of understanding and love.

So really, this is more of a continuation off of getting to know yourself. You're going to find things you're good at. Enjoy them. Take pride in it.

Just keep a realistic idea of it.