Humility is something I've always prided myself on.
I have prided myself with striving for objectivity, something many literary-minded critics dismiss as impossible. But in Washington, reporters are practically the only people who actually spend time talking to Republicans and Democrats, conservatives and liberals, and I find the longer I report in Washington, the mushier and less conclusive my own views are. I like it that way.
I've always prided myself in not reveling in past accomplishments and focusing on future achievement, instead. That's been my career motto.
I've always prided myself on being able to perform in the "alt-comedy" zone, but also being able to do comedy for people who aren't media-saturated, and maybe don't have the latest Dan Deacon album. I probably won't be the most popular guy at Zanies in Nashville, and I'll never be the coolest dude at Largo, but I like that I can swim in both those waters.
I'm a shepherd, not a sheep, and I've always prided myself on being a leader and not a follower.
One is born to be a dancer. No teacher can work miracles, nor will years of training make a good dancer of an untalented pupil. One may be able to acquire a certain technical facility, but no one can ever 'acquire an exceptional talent. ' I have never prided myself on having an unusually gifted pupil. A Pavlova is no one's pupil but God's.
I've always prided myself on my discipline as a writer. I do it like a job. I get up in the morning and go to my desk.
Do you recall the story of the young Yogi in the Mahâbhârata who prided himself on his psychic powers by burning the bodies of a crow and crane by his intense will, produced by anger?
I've sort of prided myself on playing characters with conscience. The first way I go about creating a character is looking at that area of conscience. What have they done, and what has it cost.
I prided myself on being unflappable even in the most chaotic of circumstances.
I've never really prided myself as being quick on my feet.
I prided myself on working as hard as I could, trying to overcome a learning diability.
