Day 28: אֵינוֹ מַחֲזִיק טוֹבָה לְעַצְמוֹ / Forgoing pride in oneself
We have already addressed the value of humility. We framed humility as something generative, something that fuels our ongoing pursuit of knowledge. Today we acknowledge that while really do achieve real, tangible growth, we must never reflect back on that progress with ego and self-adulation.
Various days of this project have revealed that we gain wisdom by building relationships and opening ourselves to the brilliance all around us. Without our teachers, colleagues, and students, not to mention our broad network of family and friends, and of course God, none of our growth or learning could have been possible.
Since this is graduation season, recall the common tendency for graduates to turn to those who supported and nurtured them on their journey. We put in lots of hard work, but we must channel our pride and satisfaction into gratitude.
Reflection:
Is pride necessarily a vice? How does the notion of self-love factor in to the equation?
Lived practice:
For every accomplishment today, even the small ones, think of those who deserve credit for your ability to do that thing.
