Here we have my 5th Rule of Life. If you have missed the previous posts, check them out here:
1. Rules of Life: Be True to Your Word
2. Rules of Life: Do Something For Somebody Every Day For Which You Do Not Get Paid
3. Rules of Life: Beginning with the End in Mind
4. Rules of Life: Make Time for Yourself
Are you trying to live your best life possible? It makes sense if you are, because we only get one life and so this should compel you to make the most of it. I for one desperately desire to be proud of the life I’ve lived, to leave a legacy created around the contribution I have made to other’s lives.
I’m not looking for pride in power, fame, or personal effects. And I certainly have no intentions of hurting any one in my climb up the ladder of life. I have never hidden the fact that I am very much goal orientated. I enjoy as they say the fruits of my labour and enjoy the feeling of building successful businesses. But I won’t do this at the cost of anybody else. I want to always be able to be proud of both my accomplishments, and how I achieved them.
Within today’s subject of living a life you can be proud of, I feel it necessary to be able to abide by some very basic, yet essential traits:
A Clear Conscience. Living a life consistent with our values.
Character. Choosing to treat others and ourselves with high esteem and respect.
Sincerity. Living with no attempt to deceive those around us.
Wisdom. Having the ability to discern or judge what is true, right, or lasting. Possessing the traits of both Common sense and good judgment.
Love. Embracing a heart that, above everything else, seeks to love others.
Have you ever done anything that has made you proud? Not just proud of the outcome, but proud of yourself for doing it? Can you admit this pride to yourself?
I’m not suggesting you start bragging to the world, going over the top, shouting from the rooftops how wonderful you are. What I am saying is each of us must learn to accept, acknowledge and celebrate the success we experience along our journey. The journey may be a long and winding one making it all the more important to celebrate the milestones we reach as we climb the ladder to success.
Too often, we see only what we have not yet accomplished and admonish ourselves for it, putting ourselves down and feel bad for our perceived failures.
But we have to come to realise that it is only our journey that is important and everything you have done to this point, wins and loses, have taken you to where you are right now. Feel proud that you are still going, and care enough about getting things right.
Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
It is very important for each of us to learn to love ourselves and to be proud of our accomplishments. We should be thankful when we wake up every morning and excited that each day brings more opportunities for us. Be proud of the chance you get to tackle each of these opportunities. Some may bring us more success than others, but the efforts are always worth more than we realize. If we can look at every thing in life with a positive attitude, we will be creating the path to true happiness. We should be proud of ourselves no matter what.
Make a list of all the positive things about yourself. Smile over the list and feel proud of every thing that you write. Take the list with you wherever you go, and whenever you start to feel upset or saddened, take it out and read it.
Be proud that you have tried and that you are giving it your all! That is all that matters! Just as long as you know in you’re heart that you are trying, and that you are proud of yourself for trying, that is all that matters. As soon as you truly realize how special you are, and that you love yourself, it will take a great burden off of your shoulders. Before you know it, life will get so much better.
Be yourself. If you’re not you, how can you be proud of yourself? Also, do not be what other people want you to be and do not let peer pressure get to you.
Pay attention to your strengths, your accomplishments and your triumphs. Make sure you actually are proud of yourself and that you’re happy about being yourself. If you aren’t, it’s important to understand why. Are you being realistic about who you are and what you can do? Did you listen to people who cut you down and believe inaccurate criticism? Have you been insulted for something that’s a strong point just by how it was slanted and become embarrassed about it because of that? Try to describe yourself accurately using only positive terms.
Be proud of yourself. Don’t be too proud though, it can easily be confused with arrogance if you show too much pride towards yourself.
What I’m going to tell you to do right now is so simple that you can get on it in the next 30 minutes. It will be one small step that will begin to make such a vast improvement in you and your life. Here’s what you need to do right now: Take one small action that you can be personally proud of.
That’s all. Do one thing today that you can celebrate having done it, feeling pride that you actually made the effort and took action..
Make that phone call you’ve been putting off. Start that workout you keep talking about. Write that article you keep thinking about. Join that support group to help you kick that smoking habit. Even a small think like making sure today you eat healthy, that’s all you need to do. Just one thing that you can be proud of. Whatever you choose, just take one small action that you’ll be proud of.
By becoming proud of yourself and the life you are creating, you’re going to steadily overwrite any negative identity you have developed over the years as a positive one takes over.
When you are proud of yourself you will find yourself building up your self-esteem in a great way. Even better, you will find it easy to have passions in life, and set good examples for others. A great thing for a parent, leader and as a human being.
So, guys, what are you proud of yourself for doing lately? Let me know in the comment section.
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Fantastic post as always!
Yes, it is so important to pat ourselves on the back and be proud of something we have done well. Not, as you said, to the point of arrogance – that would go against all the strong character traits you described – but we do need to feel good about ourselves and our lives.
I am proud of my writing skills and the gift God has given me to share encouragement with others through them.
Blessings, Larry!
Martha are belief in ourselves, and the pride we take in what we do just provides us with the fuel to carry on. You deserve the pat on the back, you are one of those that helped me rekindle my faith