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To celebrate this special month, let\u2019s talk a bit about pride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What is pride?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Pride frequently gets a bad rap. It\u2019s often confused for arrogance, or egotism. As a result, much of our talk about pride is negative: \u201cPride goeth before a fall.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But there are two kinds of pride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first kind of pride is based on being better than others, or on getting others\u2019 approval and praise. This kind of pride is tenuous, and can lead to arrogance or insecurity, because it is based on external factors which we can\u2019t control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What weaver hasn\u2019t been told \u201cI could buy this for a couple bucks at Wal-Mart\u201d? We live in a world that often doesn\u2019t recognize the value of our work or our skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or if you admire the work of others, you might feel self-conscious because (in your eyes) your work isn\u2019t as good yet. Or your equipment might not be as fancy and expensive as that of others\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This kind of pride – or the lack thereof – can be terribly destructive to us, our creative lives, and the people around us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The other kind of pride is internally generated – it\u2019s pride in who you are and the choices you make. It\u2019s confidence in who you are, regardless of what others say or do. And it\u2019s essential for a creative life – indeed, for all good living, creative or not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So what should<\/strong> we take pride in?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n