Addiction #24 – Arrogance (Part 2 … Way 1 to Freedom) 05/05/12
LICKING THE RAZOR’S EDGE
Addiction #24 – ARROGANCE
(Part 2 … a few Ways to Freedom)
Now that our tendencies towards judgmental pride have been identified (see the previous post), it is time to identify some behaviors that can help you cleanse your ego-mind of that addiction.
Seeing as how all forms of arrogance are built upon a foundation of distanced conceit and negative criticism, it makes sense that the “antidote” to such pride comes from Purpose-full behaviors that are grounded in a humility that gently cares & an acceptance that boldly forgives … To cleanse ourselves of the cancer that is our pride, we must choose to be humble, and to heal the festering wound that is our negative judgment, we must choose to be accepting.
SOME THOUGHTS ON HUMILITY
First of all, it is important to realize that the Humility that I mention here is not the timid “humility” we might have learned about in school or in church. The Humility I champion in this post has nothing at all to do with humiliation or degradation or subservience. We have been taught that to be humble means that we “bow down” before others – that we feel somehow “wrong” or “unworthy” or “sinful” – that we experience a sense of shame or embarrassment for which we must apologize.
Please note that this is NOT the Humility I advocate.
Real Humility is felt when one holds their head high – when he realizes that, though he is here to serve and not be served, he is a servant whose Love is potent and vibrant and powerful.
Real Humility is seen in those who do not bow down in feeble obedience to another, but rather realize that they are agents of the Divine; here to serve others – all others – in their times of pain & distress.
Real Humility is exuded in the mentality of the one who has an inner assurance that their Love is potent and that their Love always makes a difference when it is given.
As such, real Humility is empowering.
SOME THOUGHTS ON ACCEPTANCE
Let it also be known that the Acceptance to which I refer has little to do with the weak “forgiveness” that many of us have been taught. The Acceptance I offer here has nothing to do with mere tolerance or patience or resignation. It is not shrugging our shoulders while waiting for others to someday “get better”. Nor is it saying you are sorry because an apology is expected of you.
This is NOT how true Acceptance functions.
Real Acceptance is evidenced by those who see past the hurtful actions of another to the Soul within that perpetrator. And while they do not agree with or support “evil deeds”, in fact they stand courageously between those actions and their intended victims, they also refuse to condemn the confused people making such hurtful choices.
Real Acceptance forgives the cruelty while actively caring for the cruel – doing so simply to do so; without hope or expectation of the eventual reform of the “criminal” or the eventual enlightenment of the “villain”. They exude Loving Forgiveness to the “sinner”, even while bravely taking on the “sin”.
Real Acceptance reflects a forgiveness that neither forgets nor condones … It simply chooses to see the harmonious True Self behind the discordant false one – forgiving the latter by affirming the former.
As such, real Acceptance is transformative.
And yet how can we tap into these powerful purifications?
How can we put true HUMILITY and deep-seated ACCEPTANCE into practice in our daily lives?
The following tips can help you do just that:
*TIP #01: CHOOSE GRATITUDE
Wake up every morning and go to bed every evening with a sincere “Thank You” on your lips and a welling up of Gratitude in your heart. A conscious life as a Human(e) Being is the greatest of gifts, and we would all do well to remember that Truth every day. No matter what is happening in your life, the fact that you are alive and conscious of that life is enough to be thankful … Have the humility to express the same.
What you already have are not the things you “deserve” or the things you have “earned. They are the things with which you have been blessed … Be thankful.
And what you do not have are not the things you are “missing” or the things you lack. They are the sources of your true Power. They are the things making your life a bit more difficult, and thereby your Love a bit more potent when you choose to give it anyway … Be thankful.
Waking up each morning g is reason enough to praise the Divine … Having lived another day is enough reason to softly weep in gratitude as you fall asleep.
Be thankful … Be Thank-FULL!
“You can’t depend on your judgment when your awareness is out of focus.” ~ inspired by Mark Twain
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