Companions and Playmates

Confidence is a companion to good health, while arrogance is a playmate of the ego.

I recently had the opportunity to witness true unabashed arrogance firsthand. It was quite a reminder of the difference between the two qualities. I’m sorry to say it was in an Emergency Room, and was displayed by a young doctor. He did nothing but help endorse the 80’s stereotype of the arrogant doctor overseeing things, while the nurses and assistants were doing all the work. It was very sad, mostly because I know many very hard working physicians, who give over their lives to helping others. I was bummed.

Yet, this unfortunate occasion provided me with an opportunity to learn. I was able to truly see a difference between humility and grace (confidence) and self-centeredness (arrogance). At the time, it was almost as if I was seeing things through a magnifying glass, in slow motion. My hopeful personality was observing in a state of shock, yet I knew what I was witnessing could be turned from something ugly into something positive. And here it is: a reminder of the joy of being in the presence of true confidence, a confidence that is earned through hard work, trust, and humility. We’ve all seen it. When we meet someone who has that inner quality, we are drawn to him or her like a bug to the light. They exude it – quietly. It’s a gift to be around them. We want to learn from them. We hope that they will notice us, validate us.

This is why confidence is part of good health; because knowledge expressed through grace and humility is a cornerstone of wellness. They inspire others to dream. They empower others to achieve. They allow others to grow… to be who they are. Confidence creates an infinite cycle of development, whereas arrogance simply drowns out everything around it. It’s suffocating to be around, disheartening, and quite frankly, not fun. This young doctor will eventually learn a different way of interacting. I know he thought he was being funny, but his words were harsh, not humorous. Yet another example of the difference between the two.

So, my wish is that we all aspire to quiet confidence, to lead by example. It doesn’t matter where we create confidence in our lives; the goal is to do so humbly and gracefully. Ultimately, this will inspire others, and we will begin to create a world in which mutual support and respect are more important than self-gain and recognition.

In Love and Light,

Martina