This morning I got an unexpected email from my mom saying that she couldn’t sleep and her thoughts had settled on me. “I just want to tell you that I’m proud of you.”
Love this! Click the image to see it at art.com
Wow! It meant so much to hear that come out of the blue. And it stopped me long enough to admit to myself and to her – I’m proud of me too. Over the last week a lot of big stuff has been rearranging itself in my mind and my world, and I’m watching a reflection of that happening in your posts as well.
So here’s the deal – today, let’s find ways to be proud of ourselves. And let’s acknowledge it to each other.
And a quick distinction – there IS a difference between being proud and being arrogant. I think too often we shy away from acknowledging ourselves for the good that we’ve done or the good that we are because we’re afraid it will appear arrogant or selfish. But if we can’t acknowledge our own good, then we’re reliant on other people to see it and acknowledge it for us…which leaves us always at the mercy of other people’s opinions of us.
I think the difference between the two – proud and arrogant – is how we use our acknowledgment of ourselves. If we use it to look down on others and feel better than them – or to make ourselves feel better at someone else’s expense – that’s arrogance. But if we can acknowledge our own good without requiring it to mean anything about anybody else, that’s a healthy kind of proud.
Double points to anyone who posts an acknowledgment of how proud they are of themselves today. (Okay, okay – I know there are no points in The Challenge. It’s sort of like the old TV show Whose Line Is It Anyway? – where the points don’t matter! That’s right, the points are just like the “International” in “International House of Pancakes”. 🙂 Yes, I really just went and found an old clip of Whose Line and stole that.)
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LMVL
September 22, 2011 at 1:10 PM (UTC -5) Link to this comment
I’d like to lighten my recent posts by saying – I really am a happy, outgoing, look on the bright side, bring joy to others type of person. I’m just focusing this 30 day challenge on that dark spot deep inside that I continue to struggle with in the midst of my normally happy-self. =)
It’s ironic that the inspiration for day 8 is “feeling proud” because of what happened to me yesterday. Since the end of May I’ve lost 43 lbs! (yay! and still counting, although I’ve worked less intensely on it for the past month or so and have mostly been maintaining.) Anyway – at the gym yesterday 3 different people stopped me to mention that they thought I looked good. Two of those people prefaced their astonished comment by saying “I didn’t recognize you – you look great!” Hmmm, inside I’m giggling because technically doesn’t that mean that I looked horrendous before now? Regardless – after each generous comment, I paused, really digested that kindness, flashed a grateful bright smile in reply and head held high, eyes sparkling, I said a clear “thank you, I feel great”. I allowed myself to absorb that goodness given to me because not only do I feel great, but I feel worthy enough to accept your compliment. Shouldn’t I? I am the one who did the work to lose the weight, and I should feel good about my success. I also think a compliment like that confuses the person who gives it if you hide under a bushel and negate what’s pretty darn obvious. Instead – why not lead the way as an inspiration and show that I did it, I CAN do it. Thanks for noticing because, it feels great! Thank you kind sort-of-strangers, even those of you who included the statements about not knowing it was me. (still giggling)
I do feel good. =)
Loretta
September 22, 2011 at 10:45 PM (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Isn’t it strange that only one person has posted to the “I am proud of myself” post? We are often afraid to say how proud we are of ourselves…Throughout the day I am always thinking of the things that I am not proud of or the silly little things I do that I could have done better, but the your post made me stop to think…change the conversation, what am I proud of today?. I say thank you everyday and think of things I am grateful for, well going forward I am also going to think of things I am proud of as well…today I am proud of myself for doing what needs to be done and being thankful for the opportunity.
Leah Carey
September 22, 2011 at 10:56 PM (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Today I want to acknowledge how much has shifted in just one week of being really present with my finances. I’ve been saying for years that I wanted to get a handle on it, but I’ve never been willing to move the fear out of the way and actually look before. I’ve whined about wanting it to be better, but I’ve never made a conscientious commitment to do the work. This week I stated a firm commitment and I’m seeing the results. It feels good and I’m proud of myself! 🙂
Congratulations to both LMVL and Loretta for taking the challenge as well. Sending you both big hugs! 🙂
TR
September 23, 2011 at 1:02 AM (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Wow, today has been a rough day. I would have to say I am proud of myself for making wise choices when buying supplies for the family camping trip this weekend. it has been a stressful couple of days, but I have held out on buying the new books I really want until the sale that starts tomorrow. That way there will less financial pinch when we are on vacation next week.
Eileen
September 23, 2011 at 8:33 AM (UTC -5) Link to this comment
I’m proud of myself for attending a statewide conference all by myself yesterday. I tried to get a friend to attend with me, but it didn’t work out, so I went on my own. I always feel slightly uncomfortable at these kinds of events where I don’t know anyone, and everyone else seems to have come with a buddy. But yesterday I told myself I was going to relax and have a good time — and guess what? I did! I felt very comfortable all day and met some really nice fellow artists. So I’m giving myself a pat on the back this morning!
The Miracle Journal » The Miracle Challenge, day #9
September 23, 2011 at 8:39 AM (UTC -5) Link to this comment
[…] Challenge, day #9 30-Day Challenge Add comments Remember yesterday when I was talking about giving ourselves validation so that we weren’t looking for it outside ourselves? Yep, that was smart. Really good […]