I was having what I thought was a “grown up” conversation with someone recently. Without going into details what I was reminded of from this conversation is that our pride will have us thinking that we are in control when we are literally spinning out of control. We want to have control so much that sometimes we don’t see that it is hindering us more than helping us. I learned about myself very early on that I am a super prideful person so I recognize when I am spinning and I can catch it. It has taken me a while to get to a place where I am okay with humbling myself. I am okay with apologizing and recognizing that I am not always right and there is always room for me to grow. It has become easier for me to apologize than to hold on to a grudge because it is healthier for me. At some point during the conversation I realized that it wasn’t going anywhere because I saw the pride in the other person (you see it you got it) and the conversation wasn’t going to go anywhere because they wanted complete control. So I decided to leave, not mad, I just understood. You don’t keep bumping your head against a wall and think that it is going to hurt any less the next time.
I say this to say…sometimes you have to know when to say when and not get drawn into situations or traits that you have grown out of. Don’t let your pride get you in a situation that you can’t get out of because you don’t want to humble yourself. Humbling yourself isn’t a sign of weakness…it is actually the complete opposite. You are no less of a woman or man for apologizing or for recognizing that you don’t know it all or that someone may know a better way. Pride isn’t a terrible thing it just gets in the way when you don’t know how/when to let it go. It isn’t for every situation. Don’t miss your blessing because you are being prideful. One thing my granddaddy used to say to me when we used to have to ride in my mama’s pinto (I hated that car) … “A humble ride is better than a prideful walk any day” and I completely believe that. My pride has cost me so many opportunities in my life and I am not trying to let it take anything else from me. “Pride ain’t power” (“Australia” the movie).
Now notice I said that I learned early on that I am prideful but it has taken me years to understand it and deal with it. I don’t have a list of steps to take to get a grip on your pride. I still struggle with it on a daily basis and my solution is prayer. I recognize when it is building up to an uncomfortable level. I used to be okay with the uncomfortable level it didn’t bother me because I didn’t recognize it as a problem but going through a series of humbling events has helped me to recognize that the uncomfortable isn’t normal and I shouldn’t be okay with it and neither should you.
Proverbs 11:2 – When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom.
Get in touch with me if you are having prideful moments and don’t know how to get yourself out of them. It is okay to talk to someone about them. Examine where your pride has cost you something major in your life and ask yourself if it was worth it.
Until next time, live life simply but make it extraordinary.
Zony 🙂