Pride takes a hard knock

I sat there, seemingly alone in a teeming mass of people, talking, eating, laughing. I sat there, watching as they enjoyed each others' company, as they moved about the room, so at home, so in sync with all that was going on, so "there". I sat there, wondering just why it was that I couldn't engage, couldn't click, couldn't...what was wrong?
I felt so out of place, so uninvolved. Man, it was frustrating!
What was it that held me back from participating?
O hypocrite! Pride has once again reared its ugly head! (Ed - Refer to previous article - "SAVE ME!!" ) Whispering...insidious mutterings...Oh, look at that! There they go again, the juveniles...you're not going to join in, are you? How can they still do that? Doesn't it get old after a while?
AWAY! Away from me, you foul fiend of hell!! I quickly mauled a mental personification of that spirit of pride as I slowly and deliberately stood up. Slowly and deliberately turned. Slowly and deliberately walked over to where a group of them were fawning over two terrified hamsters. I picked up the hamster. "What's its name?"
YES! Score one for humility!