I was discussing humility with a friend last week it was
quite thought provoking so much so I found myself reviewing our discussion. Of course this always makes me go into this
desire for information overload and I research and read until my fingers go
numb and my eyes beg for mercy. Lucky for my fingers and eyes I’ve been way too
busy to spend the time to research, read and then compose how I feel. So I’m “shooting
from the hip” on this one.
I want to begin with a quote I have on my desk about
humility my personal interpretation of what humility looks like to me and some
of the statements made in conversation. I must forewarn you that I’m running on
fumes so if I began to ramble blame it on the alcohol I wish I was drinking
right now. I’ve been working excessively for the last week and I’m starting to
feel it!
I want to share my views on humility and how I have often observed the way an excessive amount of pride
will cause a person to miss the lesson life is attempting to teach. One
of the comments I made during my discussion about humility is “I’ve learned how
to humble myself through my adversities because what I figured out is when I
don’t it tends to happen again. I watch others go through difficult situations
come out with minimum repercussions or by the skin of their teeth and not have
an ounce of humility from what they’ve been through”. Internally I wanted to know why some people
don’t but I then I swiftly decided to focus on why I now do. Maybe just maybe
by doing that something else will reveal itself.
The first quote I have to share is one that I’ve had on my
desk for about 8 years or more, it’s a quote by Ezra Taft Benson, who I believe
was Christian of the LDS faith. He states “Pride is concerned with who is
right. Humility is concerned with what is right”. I believe I retrieved the
quote from a picture frame that was used as a centerpiece at a women’s retreat
I attended some many years ago. I remember thinking while sitting at the table how
I didn’t want to be so prideful that I would not be effective in ministry work.
I was given the frame and I placed it on my desk and referred to the quote when
conflict appeared in my life. The quote helped me to take self out and concentrate
on what would be the best course of action as it relates to the Word of God. Of
course this would usually cause inner struggle between my flesh and spirit. I’m
honest enough to admit that my flesh would win from time to time because a lot of
my marital conflicts. However the process of taking the time
out to think about “being more concerned for what’s right than just being
right” began to become second nature, compelling me to follow the path of doing
what’s right.
We don’t often see ourselves as prideful; I mean how many
times have you heard someone state “Hey I’m just too prideful to admit I’m
wrong!”? Being too prideful will take
you to a place of justifying, blaming and losing sight of the message. How many
times have you been able just to take full ownership of something that didn’t
turn out right due to your choices? Did you say “I was wrong.”? I mean just really took ownership with no
excuses coupled only with a sincerely remorseful heart. You see, that’s part of
what I think humility is! It
is a masterful balance between thinking less of self, your feelings or how this
will make you look to others and yet empowering yourself. Humility allows you
to enrich your inner strength with wisdom that many desire to have but haven’t
acquired. It’s being able to see that others are just as important as you are no
matter your status in life. It
understands that I have to truly embrace that I don’t know everything and still
could be taught valuable life lessons at any age by someone younger, older,
richer, poorer and less educated or from a different culture.
My embrace of humility is due to a combination of things such as; a difficult period in my life, education, opening up my mind to listen to others and wanting those around me to experience happiness. Ok let
me close, because I will ramble. :) I must end with Mr. Chronicle of Narnia himself, C.S. Lewis, who states that “true humility is not thinking less of
yourself it’s thinking of yourself less.” Humbling yourself doesn’t make you
the weaker vessel it actually strengthens the vessel that you are in. ~LatriceReneeBe Strong! Live Free!!
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