Endigar 480 ~ Pride
From Today’s Daily Reflections;
For thousands of years we have been demanding more than our share of security, prestige, and romance. When we seemed to be succeeding, we drank to dream still greater dreams. When we were frustrated, even in part, we drank for oblivion. Never was there enough of what we thought we wanted.
In all these strivings, so many of them well-intentioned, our crippling handicap had been our lack of humility. We had lacked the perspective to see that character-building and spiritual values had to come first, and that material satisfactions were not the purpose of living. (Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, page 71)
Time and again I approached the Seventh Step, only to fall back and regroup. Something was missing and the impact of the Step escaped me. What had I overlooked? A single word: read but ignored, the foundation of all the Steps, indeed the entire Alcoholics Anonymous program – that word is “humbly.”
I understood my shortcomings: I constantly put tasks off; I angered easily; I felt too much self-pity; and I thought, why me? Then I remembered, “Pride goeth before the fall,” and I eliminated pride from my life.
END OF QUOTE
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“I eliminated pride from my life.” Wow. Really? Hmmm. I can believe that pride has been spotlighted in one’s life as a useless characteristic and has lost credibility as one realizes the social pain and personal weakness it fosters. It is not the same thing as self-esteem or self-confidence. It is not the same thing as drawing inspiration from iconic associations, such as a pride in one’s country or children or ancestors.
This pride is the attempt to shine the world’s attention on what I perceive to be my strongest presentation, while hiding my short-comings and failings. This pride defies the ability to be truthful about myself and my place in this life. It is this pride that precedes a fall.
The same God that helped put me in a state of neutrality toward alcohol can help me find the roots that feed my pride and make them obsolete. This is my hope.
Daily Reprieve 
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