He Took Pride In…
He took pride in the little things, such as his shoes' immaculate sheen, the way he folded his shirts, and the fact that he never left a task incomplete. It wasn't about impressing other people; it was about proving something to himself.
That he might be trustworthy. that even in a society that frequently rewarded shortcuts, he was capable of excellence. Even when no one was looking, he was proud of what he had done. He recognised that effort was important, even when the long hours added up and there weren't many thank-yous. Even if just to himself, it meant something to show up and give it his all.
He was proud of the way he treated others, always looking them in the eye when he spoke and never raising his voice until it was absolutely required. To him, respect was not a game. It was an attitude. He was proud of his fortitude. The times when he wanted to give up but refrained. On those days, he stood up despite the pull of tiredness. He refused to be anything less than the person he knew he could be, not because he had to.
During the silent times when no one else was around, he grinned to himself. Because he understood that pride was not about being cocky. It was about presenting oneself so that you might eventually glance in the mirror and be content with the image of yourself.