Because pride is sometimes seen as a motivator of achievement, what would be its higher level substitute? One answer would be joy.Ā What is wrong with joy as the reward for successful achievement, rather than pride? Pride carries with it the desire for recognition from others and, consequently, there is a vulnerability to anger and disappointment if it is not forthcoming at some point.Ā If we achieve a certain goal for the pleasure, enjoyment, love of accomplishment, and the inner joy that it brings to us, we are invulnerable to the reaction of others.
Letting Go: The Pathway of Surrender, pg. 144