@Davinchysax 22 February 2021 more from that month

Are You A Peacock?

The peacock is a flamboyant bird graced with a lot of beautiful colours especially on the feathers around its tail. Its beauty catches the eye at a glance this is why it is found in most homes and gardens. One thing I have learnt from the peacock is that it enjoys showing off its beautiful feathers anytime it sees an onlooker. The question I ask each time I see this beautiful bird is; is peacock a proud bird or should does it like to show off? To give a little answer to the question, let me say that for me, it is as if peacock is proud because the bird can stay without showcasing its beauty but it chose to show off at any given opportunity and I bet if the peacock is given the chance, it will never hide its beauty. Now there are a lot of people who live like the peacock. They are ever ready to showcase their proud nature through the way they speak, walk and even relate with others.   These types of people are seen around us on daily basis. They live like they are better than others at all times and in some situations, this makes others either distance themselves from them or try not to have anything with them. When last did you see a proud person? Do you know that being proud is a sin? Most times we allow it to take over us either because we found ourselves in a higher position where others work for us. This makes us feel so mighty than even the creator Himself. Let me ask you this question; have you ever been proud or let me rephrase it, have you ever allowed pride to take over you?

Source https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1545370192-c7c68d09f668?ixid=MXwxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHw%3D&ixlib=rb-1.2.1&auto=format&fit=crop&w=634&q=80 Humans are naturally proud animal which is why they will always want to be served at all times. The major problem is that a lot of people have allowed pride to take over their sense of reasoning when it comes to dealing with others.   Sometimes we end up mixing pride and outspokenness which is why most people will be seen wallowing in a dangerous level of pride and yet they will see it as being outspoken or bravery. One good characteristic of pride is that it looks down on others. Whenever you are having this feeling or feeling like you are better than the other person, you are nothing but a proud person and you will never know this even when you are told. I have seen cases were some is told that he/she is proud and they will instantly put up a strong defence instead of trying to look inwards as a way of understanding why someone should say that they are proud.

Source https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1505274664176-44ccaa7969a8?ixid=MXwxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHw%3D&ixlib=rb-1.2.1&auto=format&fit=crop&w=634&q=80 One of the biggest evil of pride is that it will make you not to listen or take advice from others because you always feel and see yourself as one who knows it more than others. This is why the Igbo’s will say; Eze onye agwalam buzi nshi n’akwa ya na aga ahari n’obodo (the king that does not listen to anyone will soon walk around the village with dirt’s on his clothe). This is an adage that is always used for someone who does not listen to the advice of others just because of pride. The worst thing that can happen to a man is when he allows pride to take a better hold of him. In the families, whenever a man is filled with pride, he does things on his own without at least seeking the opinions of his family members including his wife.

Source https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1605884636476-ec4bd6c8d958?ixid=MXwxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHw%3D&ixlib=rb-1.2.1&auto=format&fit=crop&w=375&q=80 This is also seen in our day to day activities. When you are the boss in the office, you must learn how to listen more to your workers because in doing so you will get to know hidden things which you may not know if you do not listen to them. It does not end there. You must try to make yourself approachable in that way they can feel free to talk to you about anything. Remember that a proud man does not give others a chance to talk when they are caught up in any discussion. They will always want their voice to be the only resounding voice in that way they will make other people’s opinions and thoughts less important. You must not forget that pride goes before a fall.   If you are told not to be proud, that does not mean that you will become timid or a shy person. Being timid or shy is bad because you will always not be able to go for what you want rather you will always allow others to control you. The truth is that, when we try not to become timid, if we do not do it with carefulness, we may end up becoming proud and that time we have crossed the tinny line between pride and timidity. This is a call for us to be more careful in the way we relate to one another to avoid treating others with pride because a proud man is a lone man. Lead image https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1527919964707-ad5dd075c527?ixlib=rb-1.2.1&ixid=MXwxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHw%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=755&q=80