I know we are not really supposed to cross-post, but I am repeating what I posted in the Tag Thread because I wonder if some of us could encourage each other to do more things we want to do but feel we shouldn't spend the time, money, energy on "just us".

Pride-A Necessary Attribute

Ironically, held high by Aristotle
And praised as a virtue
But demonized by the Canon
As one of the seven deadly sins

possible to have without hubris or narcissism
can bring hope in things yet unrealized
gives us the courage to build and endure
can bring comfort when reviewing endeavors
enables us to feel entitled to all good things

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self-pride~~~I am 59 years old and still struggling to find it. Like a 3 year old child who knocks down his 2 year old brothers blocks, disease and unrelenting pain can do a thorough job of busting up the fragile threads of self-worth.
But we have to fight and fight and not quit-because if we do not fight for our rightful place, we will cheat ourselves out of many good things and pleasures, feeling they are unearned by us. We have earned pleasure by being alive and by not intentionally harming others. We do not need to be healthy and be accomplishing "work" to earn the right to be happy. I give this little speech or similar ones to myself everyday. Why is it so hard to believe it, feel it? I want to paint. I have brushes, canvases, palettes and paints-but cannot paint anymore. I don't think I deserve to use the time and energy for something that will only bring joy. But I am going to try to take baby steps to start painting again. Does anyone else share this struggle?