Why Pride, Part VIII: The Arrogance Trap

The King's wisdom.

"If you let your head get too big, it'll break your neck." - Elvis Presley

In our era of social media influencers and "humble-bragging," understanding the distinction between pride and arrogance has never been more crucial. While both involve a sense of self-worth, their manifestations and impacts differ dramatically in personal, professional, and cultural contexts.

Understanding the Core Differences

Arrogance: The Healthy Leadership Killer

Not so humble

• Superiority Complex: Believing oneself inherently better than others, often without justification

• Dismissive Attitude: Rejecting feedback and others' perspectives without consideration

• Empathy Deficit: Inability or unwillingness to understand others' feelings or viewpoints

• Self-Centered Focus: Constantly seeking attention and credit, regardless of others' contributions

• Resistance to Growth: Avoiding accountability and deflecting blame

 True Pride: The Leadership Enhancer

Leading with Compassion

• Authentic Self-Worth: Maintaining confidence without diminishing others

• Achievement-Based: Grounding satisfaction in specific accomplishments

• Collaborative Spirit: Acknowledging and celebrating others' contributions

• Growth Mindset: Embracing feedback and learning opportunities

• Emotional Intelligence: Balancing personal success with empathy for others

Pride vs. Arrogance in Modern Business

Cautionary Tale

The Price of Arrogance

Enron's collapse ( 2001) serves as a timeless warning about corporate arrogance. Its executives' hubris led them to believe they could outsmart the market, resulting in:

• Fraudulent accounting practices
• Toxic corporate culture
• Devastating impact on employees and investors

Success Through Transformation

Apple's journey demonstrates how organizations can evolve from arrogance to healthy pride:

• 1990s: Known for insular culture and market disconnect

Pioneering the future, with true pride

Post-1997: Steve Jobs' return brought:

•   Focus on innovation while maintaining humility
•   Enhanced customer listening
•   Balanced confidence with market awareness

Modern Examples

Tesla and SpaceX show both sides of this spectrum:

• Pride: Pushing technological boundaries, inspiring innovation
• Risk of Arrogance: Public communication sometimes crosses into dismissiveness

Sports: The Pride-Arrogance Spectrum

Beyond the Bike

Cautionary Example

Lance Armstrong's story reveals the transformation from pride to arrogance:

• Initial (True) Pride: Overcoming cancer, achieving success
• Descent into Arrogance: Using PEDs, attacking critics
• Legacy Impact: Damaged sport's integrity, personal reputation

Positive Examples

The True Pride of a Nation

• Serena Williams: Combines championship excellence with gracious acknowledgment of opponents
• New Zealand All Blacks Rugby Team: Demonstrates collective pride through their pre-game ceremonial dance while respecting opponents

Cultural Perspectives on Pride

Rooted in True Pride

Different cultures view and express pride distinctively:

• Western Cultures: Often emphasize individual achievement

• Eastern Cultures: Generally value collective accomplishment

• Indigenous Traditions: Frequently link pride to community and heritage

The Personal Cost of Arrogance

Pride Comes Before a Fall

From my novel "Melissa," a cautionary tale:

"Everything is given by God," the phrase echoed within him, a distant echo from a past he had long forsaken. "Your success too," Melissa pleaded. "Let Him into your heart!"

Nathan looked deeper into her eyes, wanting to reveal something about her inner self, but failing. "Don't hold your breath, Mel," he said finally, his voice filled with an iron assurance.

This scene illustrates how arrogance can blind us to wisdom from unexpected sources, leading to personal tragedy.

Recognizing and Managing Arrogance

Lift Your Eye above the Ground

Self-Evaluation Questions

1. Do you frequently interrupt others?

2. How do you respond to criticism?

3. When was the last time you admitted being wrong?

Cultivating Healthy Pride

1. Celebrate specific achievements rather than general superiority

2. Practice active listening

3. Regularly acknowledge others' contributions

4. Seek and act on feedback

5. Maintain perspective on success

Conclusion

In conclusion, the path to effective leadership is paved with humility. 

As C.S. Lewis wisely observed, "True humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less." 

Find Your Inner Peace and Gratitude

By embracing humility, leaders can foster stronger relationships, inspire greater trust, and ultimately achieve lasting success.

In our interconnected world, the distinction between pride and arrogance becomes increasingly important. True pride—grounded in genuine achievement, open to growth, and respectful of others—creates sustainable success. Arrogance, while potentially providing short-term gains, ultimately undermines relationships and opportunities.

Pride should lift both yourself and others, while arrogance elevates self at others' expense. The choice is yours.

With thanks to:

• Gemini for its insightful proofreading
• Claude for supporting with images prompts
• NightCafe: for Art creation
• OIE: for animations

#leadership, #success, #motivation, #inspiration, #personaldevelopment, #selfimprovement, #humility, #arrogance, #confidence, #ego, #mindset, #positivethinking, #SpiritualChoice #CautionaryTales

Is Melissa Just Another Pet Sematary´ Clone?

A chilling return to Pet Sematary

It's a question that has been popping up among readers: Does Jacklyn A. Lo's Melissa tread the same haunted ground as Stephen King's iconic horror novel, Pet Sematary? 

While there are undeniable similarities, Melissa offers a unique and thought-provoking narrative that sets it apart.

She's back

Both novels delve into the taboo subject of resurrection, exploring the consequences of defying the natural order. In Pet Sematary, a grieving father brings his deceased son back to life with disastrous results. In Melissa, a brilliant but misguided scientist resurrects his beloved wife, only to unleash a monstrous entity upon the world.

The price of scientific ambition

The price of scientific ambition

However, the similarities end there. Melissa goes beyond the mere act of resurrection, delving into complex themes of faith, science, and the nature of evil. The novel challenges readers to confront their own beliefs about life, death, and the power of human ambition. 

As Nathan boldly declares, "Ethics are subjective... What some consider interference, I consider acceleration of evolution." His words reveal the dangerous rationalization that drives his scientific pursuit beyond moral boundaries.

Where science meets its limits

Where science meets its limits

Unlike Pet Sematary, which primarily focuses on the horror of the resurrected creature, Melissa explores the psychological torment of the protagonist, Nathan. His descent into madness and despair is a harrowing journey that mirrors the universal human experience of wrestling with faith in the face of scientific ambition. 

"However, in his relentless pursuit of scientific knowledge, he had failed to account for the profound complexity of the human energetic structure, the delicate balance of energies that made a person truly human." 

This devastating realization marks the moment where Nathan's scientific certainty crumbles in the face of forces beyond his understanding.

A connection to something greater

A connection to something greater

Furthermore, Melissa offers a unique blend of dark fantasy, horror, and science fiction, creating a richly textured and immersive world. The novel's exploration of scientific concepts and philosophical questions sets it apart from traditional horror fiction. 

"Now, Melissa was trapped in an undead existence, becoming a creature below an animal, driven by hunger, aggression, and an insatiable thirst for blood. A profane shell of the woman he loved." 

This transformation exemplifies how the novel weaves together elements of scientific horror with profound philosophical implications.

When science takes root in forbidden soil...

While Melissa may share some thematic elements with Pet Sematary, it is a distinct and original work of fiction. Its exploration of complex themes, engaging characters, and haunting atmosphere make it a must-read for fans of dark fantasy and horror.

Venture into forbidden territory - Free on Kindle Unlimited or paperback on Amazon. 

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With thanks to:

• Gemini for its insightful proofreading and image prompts

• Claude for supporting with images prompts and finding the best excerpts

• NightCafe: for Art creation

• Insofter for 3D Cover

• OIE: for animations

#DarkFantasy, #PsychologicalHorror, #HorrorReads, #SciFiHorror, #KindleUnlimited, #BookTok,  #GothicHorror, #Resurrection, #ForbiddenScience, #WritingCommunity, #BookCommunity,  #IndieAuthor, #HorrorFan, #DarkReads, #HorrorBookworm, #StephenKing, #PetSematary, #DarkBooks

Love Beyond Death: Powerful Excerpts from 'Melissa (Chapter 18)

Amidst the chaos, he stands alone.

Imagine a world where pride is not a virtue, but a dangerous obsession. 

In "Melissa," a brilliant biophysicist named Nathan becomes consumed by a twisted form of pride that leads him down a dark and destructive path.

Excerpt 1:

A world turned upside down

The world around Nathan shattered. The doctor's voice faded into a distant hum, the weight of reality crushing the hope for any explanation in the void of his grief.

"No, no, that's...that's not possible..." Finally, the words fell from Nathan's lips, a desperate plea shattered on his tongue. The phone slipped from his weakened grasp, clattering against the hard wooden floor. 

Nathan crumpled onto the edge of the chair, his body shaking violently as a heart-rending cry tore from his throat.  A helpless soul, gripped by a tidal wave of fear and gnawing guilt – his absence in her final moments a gaping wound in his heart.

This excerpt captures Nathan's visceral reaction to learning of Melissa's death in a devastatingly vivid fashion. It puts the reader right in the moment of his world-shattering.

Excerpt 2:

Consumed by grief.

The morgue's air was a thick, suffocating blanket of antiseptic fumes, stinging his eyes and constricting his lungs like invisible chains. The chill of the room seeped into his bones like an insidious poison, permeating the very essence of his being. 

Nathan's heart clenched in a vise-like grip, his gaze drawn to her lifeless form—the gentle curve of her cheekbone, the strands of her hair framing her face in a heartbreaking parody of sleep. Tears welled up in his eyes, threatening to spill over, a torrent of grief that threatened to overwhelm him. 

A heart-wrenching sob tore from his chest, a desperate plea against the suffocating silence that enveloped him.

This excerpt immerses us in the haunting atmosphere of the morgue and Nathan's raw grief at seeing Melissa's dead body. The descriptive details like the antiseptic fumes and her hair framing her face in "a heartbreaking parody of sleep" are extremely evocative and poignant. 

Both of these excerpts showcase the emotional power and gorgeous prose of this pivotal chapter.

A symbol of hope amidst the sorrow

Readers have found 'Melissa' to be a deeply moving and thrilling experience. As one reviewer, GhostDragon, shared:

"What a thrilling adventure! This story took me on a rollercoaster ride of emotions. I felt for Melissa and Nathan, and I held my breath as Nathan faced unimaginable choices. I loved to follow their journey, feel their love, hopes and dreams, grieving for the love that could grow and accompany the path of a "lost man", dragged by grief and remorse. A must-read for anyone who has ever grappled with loss."

Find more reviews of "Melissa" on Goodreads.

Will Nathan succeed in bringing Melissa back? Or will his actions unleash a horrifying nightmare?

Melissa is a gripping tale of love, loss, and the terrifying consequences of defying the boundaries of life and death. 

Experience the emotional intensity of Nathan's journey today. 

Available now on Amazon Kindle Unlimited and paperback.

The price of pride.

With thanks to:

• Gemini for its insightful proofreading and image prompts
• Claude for choosing the best excerpts
• NightCafe: for Art creation
• Insofter for 3D Cover
• OIE: for animations

#darkfiction, #thriller, #mystery, #grief, #redemption, #obsession, #loveandloss #NathanTheBiophysicist, #LostInGrief, #DefyingDeath #grief, #love, #loss, #MelissaNovel, #ThePriceOfPride, #chapter18 #excerpts

Why Pride? Part VII. Limiting Comparisons

Climbing towards true pride: One personal step at a time

In previous parts, we explored four excellent qualities that are useful for protecting yourself from the traps of false pride. These qualities are: self-awareness, humility, compassion, and openness to feedback.

Today, we will examine another quality - Limiting Comparisons - as an additional firewall against arrogance. We'll also consider how successful people use this practice to achieve excellent results while maintaining balance.

Limiting Comparisons

Your story is worth telling. #AmericanGods #NeilGaiman

Author Neil Gaiman once advised young writers,

"The one thing that you have that nobody else has is you. Your voice, your mind, your story, your vision." 

In other words, True Pride focuses on personal growth rather than constant comparison to others. It's about competing with yourself and becoming a better version of yourself, not trying to outdo everyone else.

To illustrate how limiting comparisons to others can lead to extraordinary success, let's examine the career of one of the greatest sportswomen.

Serena Williams: A Case Study in Limiting Comparisons

She's not just a tennis player; she's an icon

Tennis player Serena Williams is a prime example of someone who has practiced limiting comparisons. Despite constant media comparisons to her sister Venus and other players, Serena has always focused on her own game and personal records.

In a 2013 interview, Serena stated, "I don't think about other people. I think about me, and I've always been that way. I think about me and what I need to do to be the best that I can be." 

This mindset has allowed Serena to achieve remarkable success, including 23 Grand Slam singles titles.

Even when she didn't win, Serena's focus remained on her own growth. 

After losing the 2018 Wimbledon final, she said, "I'm just me, and that's all I can be. But for me, that's enough. That's great that I can be me and that's good enough."

This demonstrates how limiting comparisons can lead to sustained success and personal satisfaction.

Practical Tips for Limiting Comparisons

Finding gratitude in the simplest of things

While understanding the concept of limiting comparisons is important, implementing it in our daily lives can be challenging. Here are some practical tips to help you focus on your own growth and reduce unhelpful comparisons:

1. Set personal goals: Focus on what you want to achieve for yourself, not what others are doing. Create specific, measurable goals that align with your values and aspirations.

2. Keep a progress journal: Regularly document your own progress and achievements. This helps you focus on your personal growth and provides a record of how far you've come.

3. Practice gratitude: Regularly acknowledge what you're grateful for in your life. This can help shift your focus from what others have to what you already possess.

4. Limit social media usage: Social media often fuels comparison. Consider reducing your time on these platforms or curating your feed to minimize content that triggers unhealthy comparisons.

5. Celebrate others' successes: Instead of feeling threatened by others' achievements, try to genuinely celebrate them. This can help foster a mindset of abundance rather than scarcity.

6. Focus on your strengths: Identify and develop your unique strengths. Remember, as Neil Gaiman said, your unique perspective is your greatest asset.

7. Practice self-compassion: Be kind to yourself when you fall short of your goals. Remember that everyone faces setbacks, and they're opportunities for growth.

By implementing these strategies, you can cultivate a mindset that focuses on personal growth and true pride, rather than constant comparison to others.

Conclusion

Break free from comparisons. Embrace true pride

By cultivating Limiting Comparisons, we can achieve success while maintaining True Pride and ethical integrity. 

True Pride allows us to celebrate our achievements without becoming arrogant or closed-minded. It enables us to continue learning, growing, and contributing positively to our communities and fields of expertise.

Melissa novel

Discover the dangers of arrogance and the transformative power of True Pride in "Melissa". Available now on Kindle Unlimited and coming on October 17th in paperback. 

Find out more about "Melissa" on our website.

With thanks to:

• Gemini for its insightful proofreading, ensuring the clarity and flow of the text.
• Claude for contributing to the text improvement and captivating image prompts
• NightCafe: for Art creation
• DIY Book 3D Cover
• OIE: for animations

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Jurassic Park Fans: Meet Melissa, Your New Obsession! 🦖🧟‍♀️🤯

Are you a die-hard fan of Jurassic Park, captivated by the thrill of prehistoric creatures and the ethical dilemmas faced by scientists? If so, then I've got the perfect book recommendation for you: "Melissa".

Why Jurassic Park Fans Will Love Melissa

1. A Modern-Day Jurassic Park: 

Like Jurassic Park, Melissa explores the consequences of playing God and the dangers of unchecked scientific ambition. Nathan, a brilliant but arrogant biophysicist, resurrects his wife Melissa, defying the boundaries of science and morality.

2. A Chilling Twist: 

While Jurassic Park focuses on the thrill of dinosaur encounters, Melissa takes a darker turn. The resurrected Melissa becomes a monstrous creature with inhuman intentions, forcing Nathan to confront the horrifying consequences of his actions.

3. Ethical Dilemmas and Moral Conflicts: 

Just as the scientists in Jurassic Park grapple with ethical questions, Nathan is torn between his love for Melissa and the monstrous entity she has become. This internal conflict creates a suspenseful and thought-provoking narrative.

4. A Haunting Exploration of Human Nature: 

Melissa delves into the depths of human nature, exploring themes of pride, hubris, and the consequences of unchecked ambition. It's a chilling reminder of the dangers that can arise when humans attempt to play God.

Conclusion

If you're a fan of Jurassic Park and enjoy exploring thought-provoking themes, Melissa is a must-read. This thrilling novella offers a modern-day take on the classic Jurassic Park concept, with a chilling twist that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Check our Reel below 👇  Problem to see the Reel? Click on the Youtube Link 👉  HERE.

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💬🔄  And Leave a comment or share Your thoughts on Jurassic Park and Melissa 😍❗

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Note

🎨 Images: Generated by NightCafe.

 🎞️ GIF Effects: Created with FOIE

🎬 Reel and Image Edit: Designed with Canva.

Why Pride? Part VI: The Power of Openness to Feedback

In our ongoing exploration of True Pride, we've discussed three key components: Self-Awareness, Humility, and Compassion. These act as buffers between our True selves and False Pride.

We recognized that there are people who not only made a very successful career through their own effort and hard work but also were capable of eliminating the risk of slipping to the side of False Pride by exercising these components.

Now, let's examine the fourth component of True Pride: Openness to Feedback. We'll explore a compelling example that demonstrates its positive impact.

An AT&T Labs and the Netflix Prize

In 2007, Netflix offered a $1 million prize to anyone who could improve their movie recommendation algorithm by 10%.

An AT&T Labs team entered the competition and started making progress, but they hit a roadblock and couldn't seem to improve their results further.

Instead of stubbornly persisting with their existing approach, the team decided to seek out feedback from other participants in the competition. They joined forces with several other teams, including the eventual winners - a combined team of engineers, statisticians, and computer scientists from different countries.

By openly acknowledging their limitations, putting aside egos, and embracing feedback from others, the combined team was able to analyze the problem from new perspectives. They integrated different techniques and ultimately developed an algorithm that achieved the required 10% improvement, winning the $1 million prize.

In their own words: "We figured... if we all combined forces, we'd have a better chance. Turns out we were right."

This example showcases how being open to feedback, even from unlikely sources like competitors, can lead to breakthrough solutions. The AT&T team's willingness to seek out different viewpoints and incorporate new approaches directly contributed to their eventual success.

If the AT&T Labs team had not been open to feedback and had worked completely independently from others, they wouldn't have achieved their goal - neither helping Netflix with their challenge nor earning the substantial prize. 

The Power of Openness to Feedback

This openness to feedback, one of the key components of True Pride, allowed the AT&T team to overcome their limitations and achieve success by collaborating with others, rather than stubbornly persisting with their own approach out of hubris or ego.

As we've seen, openness to feedback is crucial for eliminating the risk of falling into False Pride.

Want to explore the consequences of ignoring this vital component? 

False Pride in Melissa

Dive into "Melissa," a gripping novel where a brilliant scientist's lack of feedback leads to monstrous results. Read more about "Melissa" on Our Webpage.

Do you want to share Your thoughts? Share them on Goodreads, or Amazon!

Most of the Images were generated by NightCafe.

#FalsePride #SelfAwareness #Humility #Compassion #OpennessToFeedback #Collaboration#Success #ATTLabs #NetflixPrize #Algorithm #Feedback #Teamwork #PersonalGrowth #LearningFromOthers #OvercomingChallenges #EgoFree

"Melissa": A Haunting Exploration of Grief, Science, and the Supernatural

"This book was really good. The author was very descriptive throughout the entire book. This did give me pet cemetery vibes." - Reviewer Erin S.

A Thrilling Exploration of the Afterlife

"Melissa" is a novel blending horror, suspense, and spiritual exploration. It follows Nathan, a brilliant scientist pushed to the brink by personal tragedy, as he grapples with the boundaries between life and death.

Beyond Pet Sematary

"Pet Sematary": Death isn't the end

While it may evoke comparisons to Stephen King's "Pet Sematary," "Melissa" forges its own distinctive path. Rather than focusing solely on horror elements, it delves deep into spiritual and ethical territories. The story explores Nathan's journey from scientific hubris to a profound spiritual awakening.

Ethics, Grief, and the Human Condition

Explore Life After Death in "Melissa"

"Melissa" strikes a delicate balance between cutting-edge science and weighty moral considerations. This approach allows for a complex examination of human actions in the face of grief and loss. Throughout the narrative, readers are challenged to contemplate the nature of life, death, and the soul.

A Supernatural Journey of Faith, Free Will, and Consequences

Science Vs Supernatural 

Ultimately, "Melissa" provides a unique blend of suspense, spirituality, and philosophical inquiry. It offers a thought-provoking exploration of faith, free will, and the consequences of human ambition, setting it apart in the realm of supernatural fiction.

Reader Reviews: Love It or Leave It?

"Love can make you do crazy things! Thank you to Jacklyn A. Lo for an arc copy of this great book!" - Reviewer Ali O.

"A must-read for anyone who has ever grappled with loss." - Reviewer GhostDragon

If you're a fan of gripping suspense, thought-provoking themes, and a touch of the supernatural, "Melissa" is a must-read.

Ready to delve into Nathan's haunting journey? 

Visit Our Melissa Webpage 

"Melissa" Webpage

Or 

Grab your Free copy of 'Melissa' on Kindle Unlimited! 

Note: 

* All images were generated by NightCafe AI