Maybe flaws keep vanity at bay

I think it’s the wish of all of us to get rid of our flaws completely. However, I don’t think we’ve completely thought this through. What if we, through much effort, were able to weed out all the flaws from ourselves? Where would that leave us? Well, knowing us as human beings, I can see how that could present a problem for us in the area of our egos. I mean, we are deeply flawed as it is and we still can’t keep from getting full of ourselves.

We all want to be free from flaws, but that desire seems to dwell in the midst of the tension between pride and humility. We stand in the middle grasping for perfection of ourselves, but knowing that the closer we get to it the more we have to fight our pride. Then, looking at the other end containing all of our flaws, we want to run from it even though we know that it may not be the best thing for us to rid ourselves of all of our flaws. I mean, something has to keep our ego in check.

Generally speaking, the prideful and arrogant are that way because they do have some talents or gifts that give them cause to think so highly of themselves. If they ever went to church and sang the song, “How Great Thou Art”, they might mistakenly think the song is about themselves. Of course, their view of themselves is never in line with reality. They may be pretty good at….I don’t know…..whatever, but the truth is they are never as great as they think they are. And they also have a multitude of other areas where they don’t excel—some areas, even, where they may be deficient (gasp). So, it’s like, “Come back down to earth buddy. You’re not that special. Dwell amongst us mere mortals for a while longer.”

Of course, the prideful can be that way as a cover for some deeply held belief that they aren’t good enough. They are overcompensating in some way to make up for it. Their psyche may have been wounded in some way and now they feel the need to prove themselves to the world. They don’t know it, but that never resolves the issue. It’s something that can only be resolved when they are truly honest with themselves. And it usually has to happen within the context of some kind of counseling. Unfortunately, those in this state of mind are usually the last ones to seek help for it. It’s the ‘pride’ thing again. It prevents them from ever admitting the truth to themselves.

However we want to look at it, maybe we shouldn’t be in such a hurry to shed all of our flaws just yet. Our ego may not be quite ready to handle it. Maybe if we work on our humility for a while longer, we can earn the right to dispense with a few more flaws. But until then, you’ll have to put your pants on one leg at a time like the rest of us.

…Let’s go deeper

 

 

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