Pride_Dignity

Pride is a tricky player. When do you swallow your pride? When do you take your pride and run with it? In my mind, the most ethical code goes a little something like this: "As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all people." The gray areas are where it is difficult to distinguish how to deal in a situation. My supreme advice to anyone willing to listen will always prevail: Take your pride and run with it. This stands firm, unless of course you know you have wronged someone, then it is necessary to make amends and swallow your pride. 

So many people feel the need to validate a situation through confrontation. Confrontation shows emotion; it shows that you are upset--that you care. Some may argue and say, "well I do care!" In order to keep your pride intact, the best thing to do when you have been wronged, is not to give that person any part of you. In other words, don't waste your time on them. The trick is to stay cordial. If you see them around a lot, mutual friends etc. be fine around them. Lose the contempt, and treat them like any other acquaintance in the room. The downgrading of their status with you will be enough for them to realize and feel the regret if it exists. And If not it is still easier for you.. you are in a positive mindset that says that you are above the situation. You are not messing with it, nor are you wasting any more time with someone who has once taken your pride.

It is important to realize that you cannot change people. If someone has treated you poorly, they made a conscious decision to do so. Leave them to figure out how to establish atonement. It is definitely not the 'easy way out,' but it is worth it. If that person never comes to you, you have learned a customized way of finding out whether this person is someone worth keeping around. Incontrovertibly this poses a risk factor and anxiety. But it is consequential to remember who you are, what you stand for, and what kinds of things you will and will not tolerate.

“Be yourself, don't take anyone's shit, and never let them take you alive.”