Pride and Self-Confidence

        Summer is the one season of the year when Life pours out its color and utter beauty in full and total bloom.  As always Nature again sets an example in which we all should observe.  Summer is related to the element of Fire which symbolizes pride, clarity, truth, and most importantly patience.  Pride and patience are two strongly related elements of a good spirituality that we all sometimes take for granted.

     Pride is an extremely important part of being spiritually healthy.  Displaying pride in oneself shows true self-confidence and a good healthy attitude.  An old Native American storyteller told me that the one thing most mainstream families forget to teach their children is pride.  Pride in themselves and pride in their heritage.  No matter whether their heritage be Irish, Native American, African American, or any other, it is important to stress self-confidence through heritage and ones own present achievements .  She says that all people have strengths and weaknesses and that we as a society focus entirely too much on the negative.  Many different religions downplay pride because they focus solely on the negative aspects, but denying true pride and self-confidence can hold one back from reaching their true highest potential.  Be sure to take time to acknowledge not only the good in others but in yourself as well.  Also keep in mind that pride should never be used to hurt or belittle others.  Just like flowers... pride and confidence begin on the inside and then work their way outward.

     Having pride and opening up can be extremely difficult for some people.  Having patience and acknowledging ones strengths and weaknesses is a really good start in learning to open up.  Patience is one of the most difficult traits to master and when working spiritually it is one of the most important.  Not only does one need confidence and strength in their workings but they also need the correct timing to be most effective.  A good example is the reference to flowers above.  Flowers open up at just the right moment and they only open when they are truly ready.  Flowers open up when they have so much energy they can no longer hold it in.  They "beam and burst with pride".  When dealing with others be patient as they will show their colors only when they are ready.  While flowers have practical reasons for opening up, such as reproducing and spreading pollen, their inner beauty is also brought forth displaying heightened color and incredible splendor .  Flowers burst forth in a celebration of life and we should also observe this wonderful tradition that nature displays for us time and time again.  As our tagline suggests... "Let your spirit bloom".

      If you would like to post some comments about this article please do so in our Message Forum.  I welcome any comments you may have through the forum or my email at:  DavidRiver@intuitivetarot.com.