BY BRONWYN ISON
In your lifetime you either have or have yet to experience humility. Being on top of the world at one time or possibly several times in your life makes us feel proud and omnipotent. Yet, what does true humility mean? Fortunately I can speak personally on humility and realized one can be humbled to the core. Each day I feel blessed to have received the gift of humility. How does one possess humility in a society that is so prideful?
According to Wikipedia, humility is the quality of being modest or respectful. Each of us can attest most people are not modest. The word respect, without the action, is overused and under utilized. Take a look at PRIDE. Pride may be an operative word. Humility is the absence of pride. Oh, how one can pronounce his chest with robustness. In tandem with a boastful dialogue that is horribly annoying. This is a true sign of insecurity (which is an entire separate article). This is not to say we cannot be proud of our successes. Nor does this translate to not meeting or setting your goals. Finding the perfect balance between these two worlds is essential. Needless to say, this is a tall order. Humility encourages us to be honest with ourselves and to recognize we are not better than the other person. Each of us must assess our true talent and weakness. Be cognizant not to compare yourself to the others. Improve and diligently work on how you can become stronger in and magnanimous.
I cannot help to mention, C.S. Lewis said the following about pride: The point is that each person’s pride is in competition with everyone else’s pride. It is because I wanted to be the big noise at the party that I am so annoyed at someone else being the big noise. Two of a trade, never agree. Now what you want to get clear is that Pride is essentially competitive-is competitive by its very nature-while the other vices are competitive only, so to speak, by accident. Pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next man. We say that people are proud of being rich, or clever, or good-looking, but they are not. They are proud of being richer, or more clever, or better looking than others. If everyone else became equally rich, clever, or good-looking, there would be nothing to be proud of. It is the comparison that makes you proud: the pleasure of being above the rest. Once the element of competition is gone, pride is gone.
Practicing humility is obtainable. Consider thinking of the people in your life. Why do you like the person? What is special about your friend? Is this person well liked by many or most? Chances are your friend is good to all. They give credit where and when credit is due. They are not boastful. They do what is expected without making a big deal of their actions. They are charitable and they disengage from trying to one-up someone.
We are constantly evolving. Accept the growth with humility. Smile on your journey.
Bronwyn Ison, Owner of Evolve Yoga. Visit www.e-volveyoga.com (760) 564-YOGA and ON DEMAND online yoga classes
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