____T.H.E. .P.A.S.S.

____Overgrown Pride and its Flaw (Part 2)

On leave today, been eating a lot, think I have to start running again, it has been sometime since I last ran. Been enjoying football too and it is time to sit, think, and tell the world about my life stories again. Glad to have a break from camp, away from the hustle and bustle of an army camp.

Away from the constant bickering with army friends, namely arch nemesis, and campmate, "W". We cannot avoid a day without disagreements. However, he is one intriguing character - someone different, someone to discover - and I must thank him for constantly setting me questions to think about. Questions about human characteristics. Questions about pride.

See, pride is a very funny thing. A human's pride is sort of like a personal space. Often, when pride is attacked, whether purposefully or accidentally, the owner feels invaded or disturbed, and will become defensive. It is different from self-defense, different from the fear of being physically hurt. Yet, it may yield more harm, mentally, to the person involved. He may respond physically, which is abusive, or verbally, which is sometimes funny and ridiculous but most times, hurtful.

W takes a strong stand in whatever he believes. I must say, in terms of eduacation and studies, he has everything in control and suited to his liking, or so it seems to me. To put simply, he is from a top school and of course, did very well in his 'A' levels. He puts meticulous care in his army work, which speaks a lot for an NSF. All in all, a great package for any employer. I would be proud of myself too if I were him.

However, I have observed tinges of overgrown pride in him. Not arrogance - but strong pride. Headstrong, obstinate, bullheaded, stiff-necked, pigheaded, mulish, whatever you want to call it, it is simply, stubborn-ness (if there was such a word). Conversations with him are never easy. He simply refuses to believe the facts that are put across to him. And again, I have to bring up the story which proves this best.

We were on the bus together going home one day when I suddenly asked which MRT station was closest to our camp. I vividly remembered its has two words and starts with T, while the mule believes it is Kembangan. We had a short argument which ended with the mutual decision to sms our campmate, who replied with instantaneous confidence - "Tanah Merah". So I was right. Yet the mule, being stubborn as he is, decided to consult another campmate. As expected, he was proven wrong again. I just laughed and sighed. And laughed again at his indignant looks.

W also responds ridiculously when accused by someone or his own conscience of doing something that is wrong. Here is an extract from his blog:

"Blackie wanted me to use my e-mart credit to buy 3 pairs of the new shoes, he wanted to pay me back the full amount in cash.....I was shocked...... Actually he wanted Reddy, Yellowy and me to buy a pair each for him, but i volunteered to buy all 3 for him at a lower price........... He was of course delighted, though he had already agreed with Yellowy and Reddy beforehand to buy a pair from them.
Actually i wanted to test him out to see whether he will break his promise to the other 2 guys or not, I was prepared to buy a pair for him nonetheless at a reduced price, since he was my friends wat.....
Ha Ha ...... In the end he really fell for it, took the cheap bargain from me and broke his promise to the other two guys....."

Names are replaced with colours to protect privacy.

Note the "Actually i wanted to test him out". The story has nothing to do with pride saving, it has more to do with "ass-protecting". But the phrase has been used once too many times to save his own pride. In fact, I was angry to actually see this story. I was even more angry to see the lame "ass- protecting". It was lame, it was ridiculous, it was pure hyprocrisy.

Strong pride must be checked early. The consequences are devastating - Like that of some high ranked personel in my camp. Futures of others may be at stake. I'm serious.

Strange as this may seem, there is no bad blood between W and me. Afterall, I know that he is actually a nice guy, with undoubtedly strong will and perseverance. (No, I dare swear this is NOT hypocrisy).

I would not say I am experienced in life, or even good with human characters - I still have a long way to go and a lot to learn. But I dare say a short stint in the army has taught me a lot. A lot about overgrown pride and its flaws.

And also to accept some human characteristics within others that may be irritating. Because, I am human too and I may possess such characteristics too. Thus, I dare and proudly claim that, W and I are still friends.

Just added Zhiwei to "Links"

Currently Feeling Like: Cristiano Ronaldo (Man Utd) waiting to leave the substitutes bench and is called up to do some warming up.

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