Being humble doesn’t mean we put ourselves down. I think it means that we have a healthy sense of our abilities and the grace to allow others to shine as well. Being humble makes us real.
Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less. -C. S. Lewis
I’ve found that the saying, pride goes before a fall is so true. Often when we get an overinflated sense of our own worth, something happens to keep us humble.
We all know people who talk about themselves often and loudly. They are not the people we usually want to spend most of our time with. I’ve found that asking about other people and what they do is a great technique to avoid talking about myself too much.
Having a sense that our achievements are not all due to our own efforts, acknowledging our team, family, supporters, mentors, contributors to our lives helps keep us humble. Thanking God for our natural gifts and talents also gives a healthy sense of humility.
Pride makes us artificial and humility makes us real. -Thomas Merton
As a creative person it’s easy to be proud of our efforts and to be pleased with the work we produce, and that’s fine. I think it’s when we go overboard that it tips into an unhealthy or inflated sense of ourselves. There is always someone who is better or different to ourselves and acknowledging their talent keeps us humble. I wish I could write like John Green and I acknowledge that he is a great writer.
Having this attitude means I constantly work harder to be better at what I do. So having a humble attitude to my work actually pushes me to produce better work.
Humility is really important because it keeps you fresh and new. -Steven
Working in Cambodia has caused me to be humble. Sometimes we go to another culture with the attitude that we have so much to teach. I have learnt that while I can teach a lot, I have so much to learn. I don’t know the culture or the language, but the people I work with live it. If I go with the attitude that I can teach them everything, my pride would prevent me from actually learning myself.
“Thank you” is the best prayer that anyone could say. I say that one a lot. Thank you expresses extreme gratitude, humility, understanding. -Alice Walker
#365adventure is a book lover’s year of adventures. Adventures in travel, friendship, family, soul, heart and, of course, book stores!
