While he as no doubt been able to effectively shield himself (and nothing to the contrary is suggested), I can only surmise the difficulty that many others may find to avoid silent, righteous and well deserved pride.

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9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be based; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

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I do not equate accomplishment or personal maturity with pride. Many accomplished individuals are humble and give tirelessly of themselves and means.

However, in our contemporary LDS culture of perfectionism, I find posts like this to be rather toxic.

Earl

Now one can maybe argue that a heart surgeon is serving others. But a lawyer? Why would he do that to his family?

I think it is okay for him to pursue his dreams and all, and if you have to spend a huge chunk of your waking hours working, then it should be something that brings satisfaction.

But if we’re going to castigate folks who don’t put family first….

Here where I work (in a secular, liberal, hospital setting), we talk about how a happy life requires satisfaction in three areas: vocation, play, and love. Each of these areas is broadly defined and highly individual. Spirituality is viewed as a means to those ends, not as a separate category.

Indeed. When I became a mother, I completely and utterly walked away from a career I had worked years on- and now, with kids 8, 6 and 3, I am going through a divorce.

I know I can pick up the pieces, and I know I can find a way to make it work- but it’s going to be a lot harder than if I’d kept my foot in the door. Also, the Brethren have been wise in encouraging women to finish their educations for years now. You just never know what the agency of another is going to throw at you.

Haha, nah, I’m a new guy.

Is the commenter above the regular man-of-few-words, provide-the-citation-for-just-about-anything Justin? If so, that’s as much as you’ve ever said in the two years that I’ve been reading the bloggernacle.

Now, back to the normal programming…