Something To Be Proud Of
-I take a lot of pride in the things I do. I think it’s linked to my need to please and be accepted. Perhaps making me seem a bit more valuable. My dad use to say, “if your going to take the time to do something, you should do it right”. May explain why “good enough” is not really part of my vocabulary. I’ve been told I’m OCD about certain things. I wouldn’t really call it that. Yes, I feel anxious if something is out of place or not as good as it could be. A picture that’s not level bothers me and I have impulses to fix it. I’m compulsive about just stepping in and lending a hand if I can make something look neater or have a more efficient way to do something. I have to quit doing that and I’m aware now that some people can find that offensive. I pride myself in being helpful.
Being a person with a lot of pride, I do not care for people to pity me. I believe it’s more the feeling of sorrow I have the most trouble with. I like to feel that my situations only make me stronger, gives me more of a sense of pride when I accomplish something and builds character. Why should anyone feel sorry for someone who has so much to gain? Compassion would be accepted. For people to be concerned for me after all I have been through, would be appreciated. Then again, compassion defined is, sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others. My pride gets the best of me it seems. I have a hard time accepting both compassion as well as pity. If someone wants to help me because of pity, I’d rather not accept the help and I struggle with this a great deal. I have to consider what’s best for my family as well. Swallowing my pride is very hard for me to do, because it often means I have to allow someone to take pity on me. Is having pride in what you do, who you are and what you’ve overcome, all have to be negated, just because you have to swallow your pride. Does that mean all the pride you have, in everything you’ve done, means nothing at all.
A Matter Of Pride
People pride themselves differently. Some take a lot of pride in their homes. Others may take pride in their work. No matter what it is, it’s something that matters to you personally. It fulfills a desire you have. When you have pride in something, you can relate more to what the same sense of pride displayed in others means to them. You may however have a harder time understanding if others do not feel the same way. A neighbor that takes pride in his home and yard, may look down upon the neighbor that does not. This same neighbor who does not care to manicure his shrubs, may have the most elaborate interior, which he is very proud of.
I know a young man that was very proud of his new truck. He worked hard and you could see his sense of pride all over his face. He was out one night and saw some people messing with someone’s truck. He chose to get involved because he felt the owner of that truck probably felt the same way he did about his. He put himself out there, because of his own sense of pride in his truck.
I take pride in overcoming adversity. I’ve dealt with it often through out my entire life and it’s come in all shapes and sizes. I always want to give a little something to those that are dealing with adverse situations. I’ll go without to help someone who could use some help, but simply won’t ask, because I can relate to how they must feel. I understand how difficult things can be sometimes and I know what it would mean to have some help.
Some people take a great deal of pride in being able to take advantage of people. These people are usually quite accusatory of others doing the same. If they take things from their friends, family or anyone for that matter, they always feel someone has done the same to them if they misplace something. “Someone must have taken it”, is the first thing that comes to their mind. Because they take pride in their actions, they assume other take pride in it as well.
Conclusion
Pride comes in many forms and what we take pride in is often not the same for everyone. Should we take shame in swallowing our pride? If we can’t take pride in things should we not even bother? Is good enough really an option? The next time you believe someone should have more of a sense of pride in something by doing something better or to try harder, remember there is something they probably do take pride in. Don’t be too judgmental when someone asks for help, they may have had to swallow their pride, leaving nothing to be proud of and that is a terrible place to be. Those are also the people who will benefit the most from assistance, because they want back their pride and will do what it takes to not have to swallow it ever again.