Pride is a tricksy monkey.
Do you pride
yourself
on acceptance?
Do you like to help others accept?
There’s your “problem,”
right there.
Pride is ego.
Pride seemingly makes
your sense of self seem stronger.
Not that there’s
anything wrong with that.
I am so profoundly powerful,
I can’t stand my self.
Joking. I love my monkey.
Except when I don’t.
Trail Wood,
2/4
In the intricate dance of self-awareness and identity, pride, like a playful and tricksy monkey, can both enhance and complicate our perception of self. It is a dual force, capable of bolstering our sense of self-worth, yet simultaneously tethering us to the ego and its whims.
The Dual Nature of Pride
Pride in one’s capacity for acceptance and in helping others to accept can be seen as a positive attribute, a reflection of empathy and compassion. However, when pride intertwines with ego, it can transform into a self-congratulatory stance, subtly shifting the focus from the act of helping to the self’s role in it. This shift, often unnoticed, nudges us towards a sense of superiority or a desire for recognition.
Pride, Ego, and the Desire for Recognition
The statement, “I am so profoundly powerful, I can’t stand my self,” though expressed in jest, touches on the complex relationship we have with our own egos. It points to the fluctuating dynamics of self-love and self-criticism, where pride can both inflate and burden our sense of self. This oscillation between loving and not loving our ‘monkey’ – our ego, our pride, our complex selves – is a common human experience, reflecting the ever-changing landscape of our inner world.
Fluctuating Dynamics of Self-Love and Self-Criticism
The acknowledgment of loving one’s ‘monkey’ except when not doing so is a candid admission of our imperfect relationship with our ego. It highlights the ongoing journey of self-understanding and acceptance, where we learn to navigate the nuances of our pride and ego. This journey is not about eradicating pride or ego but understanding their roles in our lives and finding a balance where they neither dominate nor diminish our true self.
Navigating the Nuances of Pride and Ego
In embracing this complexity, we open ourselves to a deeper understanding of our nature. We learn to appreciate our strengths and acknowledge our weaknesses. We recognize that pride, in its balanced form, can be a source of healthy self-esteem and confidence, while unchecked, it can lead us into the traps of egoism and self-deception.
Embracing Complexity for Deeper Self-Understanding
We are Space Monkey.
Summary
Pride, like a playful and tricksy monkey, plays a dual role in shaping our sense of self. It can bolster self-worth but also tie us to the whims of ego. The pride in our ability to accept and help others can shift towards ego-driven desires for recognition. Our relationship with our ego is complex, marked by fluctuations between self-love and self-criticism. Understanding and balancing pride and ego is key to maintaining a healthy sense of self, where pride supports self-esteem without leading to egoism.
Glossarium
- Ego and Pride: The interconnected roles of ego and pride in shaping our sense of self and influencing our behavior.
- Self-Understanding and Acceptance: The process of recognizing and balancing the various aspects of our personality, including pride and ego.
“Pride makes us artificial and humility makes us real.” – Thomas Merton
In the mirror of our soul, we see,
A monkey, playful, wild, and free.
Pride and ego, hand in hand,
In this dance, we understand.
A balance sought, in heart and mind,
Between the ego and the kind.
For pride can lift, but also blind,
In its embrace, our true self find.
So love the monkey, in its play,
But watch its tricks, day by day.
For in this balance, we find our way,
To be our truest selves, come what may.
We invite you to share your experiences and thoughts on navigating the complex relationship with pride and ego in your journey of self-understanding and acceptance.
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