Complacency

Being satisfied and pleased with oneself is one one thing. Having respect for oneself is another.

Once you reach your goal, you gain confidence. You use this confidence to set goals to achieve. This is what creative living is all about. But when should one be proud of one’s achievement? When you develop confidence on your own initiative, there is no shame in being proud of it. You don’t have to brag about it; but you can look at yourself with kind eyes and, with approval, you can accept yourself for what you are and what you can be. This does not mean complacency, being satisfied with your lot and staying that way.

Complacency is a variation of conceit, because you like yourself and go on liking yourself for what you have achieved, feeling you need not achieve anymore. Complacency and humility to not go together, but confidence and humility do. There is a hidden danger in being complacent. Soon you become passive and rest on your laurels, whatever they may be. Then you slowly retire from the realities of life. Creative living means that you must always keep moving in the stream of things. You can still enjoy a vacation now and relax and in the room of your mind to renew your energies and your courage to tacke life’s problems. Complacency signals that you are resting too long. All rest and no work makes you dull, uninteresting and lifeless.

No one can make you complacent without your consent.