4/27: PRIDE vs PROUD
I’m sure we have all heard the saying, “Pride cometh before the fall”. However, there is also nothing wrong in being proud of accomplishments in your life. So, how do we process the seemingly contradictory message of those 2 statements? I have always struggled a with the terms pride and proud, but think I have finally sorted things out in my head.
To start unwinding this message, I got a little help from Miriam Webster. From the dictionary, one definition of pride is: noun: exaggerated self-esteem. Then we have proud: adjective: much pleased. There are other definitions, but I think those definitions best fit the message in my head. I think the most important part of this nuance is that pride is a NOUN, and proud is an ADJECTIVE. Pride is a characteristic, a trait in a person. Proud is a temporary assessment of something that was accomplished.
In my opinion, we should TAKE pride (be proud) in the work we do. When we set out to do a task, if we don’t set high expectations on the outcome and don’t set ourselves up to be able to say we are proud of the results, we are probably not going to put our best foot forward. When the task is completed, I think the key is to only let that feeling stay attached to the completed task, and not become an internal characteristic of who we are.
Pride is a state of mind. Pride is a permanent characteristic of a person. Pride is a feeling of being better than others around you at all times. It is not a temporary reaction to a task completed. It is fairly easy to spot those with pride. There is typically an arrogance that people are very easy to notice.
On the opposite side of the coin of pride is humbleness. Humbleness is characterized by deference and submission, not submission in simply giving oneself up to others, but an understanding that in most cases, people are essentially all on the same level. I think it is very healthy to be a humble person who is also proud of the work they do. In my experience, those people produce quality results and are also very relatable because even if the results they produce are better than what anyone else produces, they do not put themselves up on a pedestal to be praised.
I am proud of the work and dedication our coaches put into every class, and I am proud of the effort that our students put into each class. At the same time, I see humble coaches and students that are not interested in status or boasting….pride…… and simply do the best they can every day.
As for me, this is the type of culture I have always wanted to foster….a place where everyone feels welcome and equal as human beings, whether you are on the mat training, or just watching your children from the chairs….. a place where your skill on the mat does not define you as a person, but your personality defines what you do on the mat. Hopefully, you feel we have achieved those results.
