Self - Pity as a Vice: Part 2

SELF – PITY AS A VICE: PART 2

Cl. Mario D’Couto SDB

            In the first part of this reflection which I had written previously, you would see why I consider self – pity as a vice. It is, indeed, since by concentrating on all that is negative, we are actually blocking ourselves or preventing ourselves from those things that are positive.

            It is said that psychology has proven that in each individual there are 40 dimensions that make up one’s personality. Among them is originality, judgment, foresight, the ability to visualize, to express ideas verbally, to comprehend what is said and so on. These 40 dimensions vary with each person. Some may be good at something while some may be good at something else. This is to say that none of us is a piece of junk, for God does not create junk.   

            Another thing which most of us fail to realize is the enormous power of our sub – conscious mind. It is true that we may not be fully aware of the different facets of our sub – conscious mind but yet, it is at work all the time. Our sub – conscious mind is like a sponge that absorbs and retains the various experiences we go through. And how does one tap the energy present within the sub – conscious mind? (Please refer to the article “The power of the sub – conscious”)

            Montaigne once made a statement, “No wind serves the man who has no port of destination.” Life without a purpose is dead. This is because when there is no goal, all that a person does in life is meaningless. If life had to be some kind of phenomenon where each of us comes into the world and just disappears after one’s death, then I just can’t really imagine what life would be. I guess it is in this context, that we could all truly say that God Himself has a place for each and every one of us. No one is a piece of junk. This is something we should never forget.

            I would like to conclude with some life instances from two world famous scientists. It is said that Albert Einstein learned to talk slowly and seemed so slow – minded as a child that his father feared he might be feeble – minded. Thomas Alva Edison’ teacher complained that he was “addled” and couldn’t keep up with his classmates. Since then historians have said of Thomas Edison, “His brain had the highest cash value in history.”


            If these two people who are so highly regarded in the world, had their own setbacks, who are we then to despise ourselves? 

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