‘Arrogance is earned’, as my favorite TV doctor, House, bantered in one episode from season three. You can’t be arrogant and don’t have the credit to back it. House is an absolute ass, as he was told a couple of times already. He was even shot by a madman and bullied by an officer because of that. He maybe one of the rudest, most sarcastic, meanest character on television, but nobody can deny that he saved a lot of lives because he is the best Diagnostician there is.
Dr. Gregory House maybe still lovable despite of this because he is just in fiction. But put him in the real world and he will be despised and hated by everyone. Being self-assured and confident are a necessity, but staying humble, with all your achievements and accolades, is more admirable.
Michael Jackson, the late King of Pop, has all the right in the world to be an egomaniac. But as shown in his movie This Is It, he was nothing like that. He was not a demanding diva that he has a license to be. He was a perfectionist but he seems to be so easy to work with, always saying ‘Thank you!’ and ‘God Bless you!’ to the crew, musicians and back up singers and dancers. And that is why all of the people with him treat him with reverence, respect and love. He is now gone, but he is a legend who is an inspiration to the new generation in the music industry.
Another guy that I admire because of his genuine humility is the world’s Pound for Pound King, Manny Pacquiao. He is a demigod in our country, filthy rich and undeniably talented. He had defeated a number of boxing champions; bloodying their handsome faces, knocking them flat on their backs in the second round, crushing their egos to bits, but his feet are still firmly planted on the ground. He is a boxing icon, claiming seven belts in different weight classes. Truly, he is the man to beat. But instead of being the quintessential self-absorbed, hot-tempered fighter, Manny broke the mold with his easygoing smile and friendly demeanor.
The music and boxing worlds are like a double edge sword. It can give you money and fame beyond your wildest imagination. But it can also cost you your family, friends, reality and identity. Michael and Manny prove that if you are really gifted, talented and successful, as you believe yourself to be, humility is the icing of the cake, and arrogance will just ruin it all.
