What is Pride?
Google's dictionary comes up with this:
"a feeling or deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one's own achievements, the achievements of those with whom one is closely associated, or from qualities or possessions that are widely admired."
Now some of you religious folks out there, I found a definition of pride on LDS.ORG:
"A lack or absence of humility or teachableness. Pride sets people in opposition to each other and to God. A proud person sets himself above those around him and follows his own will rather than God’s will. Conceit, envy, hardheartedness, and haughtiness are also typical of a proud person."
Can pride be bad? YES, of course it can. If you have pride like the one right above then yes. Being unteachable and feeling like you are better then everyone is not the best trait to have and ultimately it will cause you trouble in your lives, it sure has mine.
But, this Soapbox message is about the first definition of pride. Being happy and joyful about what you and the ones you love have accomplished or do.
It very well could be the culture and area I live in that I see this so often, but my big question is why can't we be good at something and be "proud" of ourselves or our kids or our friends or our family?
I say we can! How can any of us have good self esteem if all we are doing is kicking ourselves and never being happy or satisfied with what we have accomplished?
Why is it when we are good at something we tell everyone we are not?
Why do we be little our AWESOMENESS?
So, I know that men do this also, but right now I am going to focus on the women in my life.
I am blessed to have so many wonderful woman in my life, women who are wonderful mothers, house keepers, and cooks. Women who serve with out thought, who are Christlike, women who bake, plan parties, sing, crochet, sew, are photographers, write, are awesome at exercising, being healthy, organizing,and creating things. Women who love unconditionally, who don't take peoples crap, who see the good in the world, and make people laugh.
That list keeps going and going. And they are good, awesome, really amazing women.
And when they are told that they are they say, "NO." You know what I want to say? (With no real authority.) "BE PROUD OF WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU ARE GOOD AT!"
Do not be a beast, do not think you are better then others or compete with others about what you are good at. Let's me awesome together ladies! Let's be proud in a positive way that we have something to offer this world we live in. Let's be proud that we can help others and share our talents. Don't hide and be ashamed, feel joy that you have been given talents. As you share them you will get more of them and you will feel joy.
So to all you beautiful amazing women in my life love who you are and what you can do, because I sure see goodness in you!
