Whatever happened...

To pride in accomplishment?

I know, pride goes before that fall into whatever, but really?

It's not wrong to be proud of a job well done, nor to desire recognition for it.

Wrong is bringing attention to every little thing you do, demanding to be the center of attention constantly.

Right is going about your business, knowing that you've done the very best that you can and being happy with that regardless of whether someone else applauds or not.

My father would never allow any task to be 'completed' half-assed. You knew if it had been done right, he wouldn't say anything but bob forgive if it wasn't completed to his liking, he would let you know in no uncertain terms. Then he would proceed to show you the 'correct' way to do whatever it was. He was sort of a negative re-enforcement kinda guy, but garnering his silence was always a goal for me.

Don't get me wrong. I like hearing words of encouragement, pats on the back, etc. After all, you're not my Dad. Your silence is not assumed to be praise.

On the other hand, whatever happened to giving out pats on the back, a heartfelt "well done" now and again?

Whatever happened to praising others?

Is it that people say "Oh, I could have done better" or "That's not my best work"? All the while knowing that whatever the task, it actually WAS their best?

Why do we deny our accomplishments in the face of praise?

The one negates the other.

If you respond to praise in the negative, it leaves the praiser with a negative feeling for having recognized you openly and may cause them to think twice before handing it out again.

Conversely, if you never receive praise, your pride of accomplishment will eventually result in an attitude of "Well it's as done as it's going to get" ending in lowered self-expectation, ever spiraling downward until there's no pride in accomplishment, so why bother?

Why can't we just say "Thank you"?

Try it the next time someone gives you some deserved praise. You'll go away with an odd little inner glow that you don't recognize.

That's the pride.

And that's okay.