Pride goes wrong when it focuses only on itself

Defined as exaggerated self-esteem and conceit, the sin of pride consists of arrogance, vanity and covetousness.

Some tendencies in which pride is exhibited include the refusal to admit weakness, an inflated sense of one's abilities or opinions, boastfulness and desiring control.

"Pride is a self-centeredness, a turning inward into oneself," said Sister Anne Bryan Smollin, CSJ, executive director of Counseling for Laity for the Diocese of Albany. She also said that when a person exhibits the sin of pride, he or she has decided that it is only the "me" that has any worth.

Good and bad

Pride is a normal human tendency though, especially when one has accomplished a goal or succeeded at some task. A little bit of pride is part of being healthy. However, taking pride to the point of being hurtful to others or to the exclusion of the needs of others can lead to its being sinful.

"When I meet with someone [who exhibits the sin of pride], I work to bring that person out of himself or herself, and try to show ways in which he or she can develop compassion for others," Sister Anne said.

She told The Evangelist that one example of prideful behavior is when people continuously interrupt others in order to voice their own opinions, or when people are so wrapped up in self that they cannot see they are actually running away from God.

In fact, the Catechism of the Catholic Church states that "hatred of God comes from pride. It is contrary to the love of God, whose goodness it denies."

On the other hand

The virtue of humility is the opposite of pride. Sister Anne said that being humble doesn't mean not respecting oneself or sacrificing one's dignity.

"Being a humble person means that we recognize we are all created equally by God and all good comes from God," she said. "We do not minimize our work or ourselves, but we do evaluate it in the 'big picture.'

"Listening can be a great tool for getting connected to others," which is one way to countermand the sin of pride, she continued. When we can come out of ourselves, and see the needs and desires of others, we can begin to connect to that person. It can be our spouse, a child, a friend or even a co-worker. By seeing their needs, desires, accomplishments and even their pain, our world enlarges, and we begin to know what it is to be humble.

Signs of humility

Some examples of overcoming prideful behavior, according to Sister Anne, include:

* Jotting a note to a friend or loved one and mailing it to them.

"I don't mean typing out an email and sending it electronically," she said. "I mean taking the time to write a little note to someone. We live in a fast-paced society. There is still nothing like the joy of receiving a note in the mail from someone you know. It shows your concern, your affection for that person. It lets them know that you care for them."

* Getting involved in outside activities, at work or at church.

"Our world enlarges when we come out of ourselves and get involved in outside tasks, like volunteering to help others in the community," she explained. "We have a responsibility to care for others, not just for ourselves."

* Take a stand. "Write a letter to your congressperson or senator," she advised. "Think outside of 'the box.' Do something you aren't used to doing."

(03/06/03) [[In-content Ad]]