The distance between two people

​This month we've been focusing on pride. 

Pride is a feeling of satisfaction derived from one's own achievement. 

It is knowing that our personal actions and thoughts were better than someone else or something else. It stems from our qualities and skills being validated and admired by others. It's a fantastic high. 

It always starts out innocent. We are told we should be proud of what we do and achieve. We are pushed to acknowledge and speak our truth. 

But Pride without humility manifests as criticism, judgement and self-righteousness. 

We start to raise ours on a pedestal and very slowly start to look down at everything else. 

Relationships are the first to suffer when this starts to happen. Pride is the greatest distance between two people. 

Simple talks turn into arguments, arguments drag out because of stubbornness and what matters is lost. 

Here are a few things that hint at pride being the center of any relationship:

• Speaking without listening or listening to respond
• Having different standards for self and others
• Looking for recognition constantly especially when someone else is in the spotlight
• Accepting no responsibility and never being in the wrong
• Being concerned only with self and matters that impact the self

If you identify with the points above and recognize them to be part of any relationship, it's almost guaranteed that the relationship is strained or not a fulfilling one. It most likely already hinders the quality of interactions and has probably stopped you from getting help and support in the past.  

Recognizing that we are overusing pride in our interactions is the only way to make progress.

Humility is the antidote. Humility is concerned with what's right. It's not concerned with the 'who'.

Here are a few qualities of Humility in action:

• It focuses on values and principles in the interactions
• Brings compassion and forgiveness 
• Is inclusive of others and their needs
• Leaves out judgement and criticism of others
• Looks for avenues to grow and do better

How much of these show up in your interaction with others? 

For the next month look for the overuse of pride in your interactions. Whether it be online or face to face, personal or professional. Look for ways to interject humility to those interactions. Observe how the interaction unfolds and if there is any difference. 

                                                                         

                                                                            *******

Small Changes makes a  BIG impact. Keep that in mind, as you work to better your life's experiences.

Nothing is wasted and whatever you do, matters. 

Written with Love
Ruby