arrogant: Having or revealing an exaggerated sense of one's own importance or abilities

Recently I have been faced with what seems to me as bouts of arrogance. Not only in other people but in myself. I’ve thought about this at some length and would like to share with you some of those thoughts. I can’t say that my thoughts are finalized, but, at least for me, it is a good step along the way. I know that each of the following thoughts are fodder for it’s own blog entry or even a book, but here they are in condensed form:

Thought 1: A good listener has cultivated the ability to look at discussions from the other persons perspective. Then, using that perspective, the listener modifies their perception and thinking pattern so that further discussion is balanced and productive. When I take a really close look at a group conversation it becomes apparent to me that the number of different perspectives are as real as the number of people involved in the interaction. The interaction bears fruit when the concept of better and worse are put aside. Arguing only from your perspective is certainly arrogant. In addition, self centered listening creates self centered interaction. Listening only from your perspective, is arrogant.

Thought 2: One of the eventual discoveries in everyones life path is that it you need to take responsibility for everything that comes into your life. This especially includes events that bring different perspectives into your thinking patterns. Through the universal law of cause and effect, what goes around comes around. If blame is consistently placed on others, we get consistently blamed. If someone disagrees with you it is not their fault, it is yours. Blaming others is arrogant.

Thought 3: I’ve found, through the school of hard knocks, a problem persists until I honestly pursued the root cause of the problem. When the root cause is found then I can transform it into something more balanced. Transforming the symptom, or reaction to a cause doesn’t work, the hard knock effects still occurs because I am only fooling myself. Yes, transforming a symptom gives some relief, but it is short lived. The same problem will eventually crops up again. Brutal honesty is necessary in order for me to transform the problems root cause. The result is a happy, painless Sam person. You can’t fool the universe. The universe wants the problem permanently solved. Fooling yourself is arrogant.

Thought 4: Each person is responsible for their own balanced path through life. (See thought 2 above.) This implies that it is your problem when you do things for others in a way that creates imbalance. This includes the continuation of codependency's and lack of self worth as well as a whole host of related issues. As self confidence is lost there is a tendency for reliance upon others. This creates dependencies that actually place you in a more dominate position. Relying upon others for decisions is arrogant.

Thought 5: The way to peace is to become peaceful. A domineering path to peace is arrogant.

Thought 6: Humbleness seems to place the humble person in a submissive position. This creates an imbalance that actually places them in a dominant position through a controlling need to be supported. Support works for everybody including the supporters as long as mutual respect is honored. (Note that the word humble could be replaced by sickly.) Humbleness, without respect is arrogant.

Hopefully, one or more of these thoughts will create some disagreement. If that is so, then you have started a process in which you will gain new perspectives. Thats good, as long as they are your perspectives aren’t arrogant! Hmmm, now lets see, is this blog entry arrogant?


What do you think?

Sam