Pride

​I am blind to my blind spots.  If I could see it, it would not be a blind spot.
I have been thinking about pride lately.  I know more about guys than girls, but it is not unique to guys.  I sorta think it can be an issue with guys, as we see ourselves as supposedly a rock.  Something to lean on.  It seems to be harder for us to eat humble pie, admit we are wrong, and accept an alternative (and boy is it hard to admit the women may be right).
I don’t know how it is in other languages, but we have one word for pride, and it can be both a good thing and bad.  It is good people take “pride in their work.”   I would not have it any other way.  I can see the result and tell the difference.
Parents take “pride in their kids.”  Rightly so to me.  It is amazing how quick parents are to make known the achievements of kids.  Even when kids are having trouble, little steps are big steps.  Parents are very willing to tell another about the activities of their children.  Often, they are interesting and absorbing, but it is guaranteed they are the most interesting and absorbing to the parents.
Then there is the unhealthy pride.  It is having an inflated or unrealistic opinion of oneself.  We have all seen it, and no doubt display it.  As I read recently “there is no greater deception than self-deception.”
Sometimes people exhibit pride because of their position.  They may have studied long and hard.  In talking to them, some feel superior and like they deserve to feel that way.
One of the worst sorts of pride to me, is thinking my race is superior.  It seems to be conveniently forgotten that despite our skin colour or culture, we all have the same coloured blood.  There are racists in every race - in the minority, but they are there.
Some have a religious pride.  The thinking seems to be that because I belong to a particular religion that makes me superior.  We are seeing the extreme of that at the moment - a desire and a green light to wipe out anyone who does not adhere to my beliefs, and a seeing it as doing God’s will. 
However the fact there are bad apples to me does not mean I need to dispose of all the apples.  Jesus said he was the only way to God.  Either he was lying or telling the truth.  I need to resolve that.  He never advocated superiority in his followers though.  We are all tarred with the same brush.  I guess it is why I like the saying “Christians aren’t perfect – just forgiven.”
A wrong sort of pride manifests itself in many different ways.  No matter what form it takes, they have one thing in common.  An unrealistic opinion of oneself.  To me one sort of pride that has the greatest consequence to the most is a prideful psychopath in power.  One thing is certain though, a prideful person always comes a cropper.  I may not live to see it happen – but it is guaranteed.
But pride is not just the domain of the powerful.  A “hippie” who despises a “yuppy” can be motived by pride, even though it seems the other way around is highlighted more. 
For me the point is, even little ol me, in my small corner of the world, can exhibit pride and have it keep me from what is best for me.