Arrogance

I know you well. 

“disposed to give oneself undue importance, aggressively haughty”

Arrogance is expressed in so many different ways. 

Intellectual arrogance is a superiority of knowledge and intellectual ability. It is a weapon used against those who do not have the same intellectual jujitsu. 

Physical arrogance is when our body can do things, including the cultural shape society admires.

Moral or religious arrogance. My religion, or my integrity, is superior to yours.

At the crux, a superiority over the other.

Othering, once again. Domination and superiority. 

Driven from an empty space that seeks to be seen, important, or relevant.

Or from a place that sees others as mere obstacles to a goal. Not people. Obstacles. 

The antidote to arrogance is humility. The path to humility from arrogance is to be broken. Shattered. Brought to our knees. 

Somewhere in the grand plan of each life, life takes the arrogant and bends them to break. Never on a predictable timeline. Often at the very end, in that last breath. 

I know this well. From my knees hitting the dirt. Grateful this experience happened in my mid-years so I could find compassion and know humility.

On occasions, arrogance whispers seductively, calling me back. Sweet life has other plans and, thankfully, wacks me over the head, reminding me that any brilliance I have is to be of service to others.

Photo Taken December 31st 2023