The Source of Shame

Pride.

Can’t fail, too proud.

Perfection to hold up the ego, is an endless cycle that must be held to avoid shame.

Ultimately this is an impossible task to hold.

Pressure breaks through and failure occurs.

Avoidance of acceptance only deepens shame of failure.

All sourced from pride in oneself, in the pursuit of perfection.

A standard too high to cause frustration, anger and shame of not reaching a standard that pride sets.

Without pride, living a flaw filled life and failing, does not bring shame.

Only acceptance.

The total absence of ego is humility.

To see yourself as exactly who you are with flaws.

Failure is the greatest teacher when accepted.

It only gives you the opportunity to try again.

“Pride is not the opposite of shame, but its source. True humility is the only antidote to shame.”

Uncle Iroh in Season 2, Episode 9 (“Bitter Work”) of Avatar: The Last Airbender.