I know it's my pride that often gets me in trouble, and is often the cause for the pain I feel or inflict on others. But, pride has its place in our ego-systems, and if kept in proper check, is a good thing. Pride makes us pay attention to the things we do so that we are seen in the best light in front of those that matter. It helps ensure we do the best job in anything we choose to do. It makes us sometimes push ourselves beyond our current limitations. It keeps us from quitting when quitting is far easier. It helps keep us at our best, for our best - i.e. for the people that matter the most to us.

Our customers benefit when we take pride in what we do, our companies benefit when we pay attention to how we are perceived in our marketplace, our communities benefit by the contributions we make, and our employees benefit when we are proud of their contributions, growth, and efforts too.

Pride, kept in proper check, is a good thing.

This morning I felt pride in what I have accomplished in business; for persevering when quitting was easier; for pursuing a dream that no one else saw; for succeeding when failure seemed imminent; for holding firm and sure to values that not everybody else may have shared. This morning I felt some pride in what I accomplished, and who and what I am.

The future has a lot of uncertainties, in fact, the future is entirely an uncertainty. We can't go into the future with a false or unhealthy sense of pride, because that would be arrogance more than confidence, false confidence more than faith. Pride can blind us from what we don't want to see. But we can look back with some pride because it gives us cause to celebrate a bit, and celebration is a form of thanks, and it is always good to give thanks.

So, my breakfast with my mentor this morning was good for my body, and my soul. Tomorrow will bring what tomorrow will bring, but today I choose joy, thankfulness, and a small side order of pride.

When was the last time you went for breakfast with a mentor?