learn humility

We take a series of rectification test at work each year. I was one of five people, out of 130, who failed at my first attempt. I need not go into all of the reasons that this happened, but it did happen. I passed on the second attempt, but this was a real lesson in humility.

A great lesson in humility can be learned by attempting to light some particulary recalcitrant barbecue coals. Especially when there is a six-year-old girl insistently asking you why it isn’t working and pointing out that her grandad can do it really easily.

This is one of the greatest virtues, I think.

It doesn’t mean putting oneself down. Or bowing to others’ wills.

It means allowing your talents and skills to shine without ever putting someone else down. Or showing unreasonable pride.

I have so far met two Fellows of the British Institute of Professional Photographers. They are absolutely at the top of their game. Highly talented and incredibly successful. They are also utterly humble. They know what they are capable of, and don’t need to harp on about it. It was a pleasure to be in their company, and I shall do my best to follow their lead.

Of course, the Benedictine lifestyle (of which I am a great fan) requires humility, too.

I have already started spotting humility vs. pride in others and will endeavour to do so in myself.

So one of my goals is to gain confidence, but I have found with this goal that it has its down sides. For example, thinking your better than other people. So I would like to be confident and have humility.

It is with some fear that I put this as one of my goals. In my case humility is often learned by way of humiliation. However I am learning this by my present circumstances. In moving from a little town in the Ozarks to Little Rock, I have gone from being a big frog in a small pond, to being just another frog:-)

I’ve had things occur in life which have humbled me out a lot, and I couldn’t be more grateful. Knowing that I’m not perfect, and that I will make mistakes is something I always keep in mind as I strive to do my very best in everything that I set out to achieve. I’ve learned to accept my “wins” with gratitude rather than self-righteousness, just as I’ve also learned to accept my “losses” as an opportunity for further learning and growth instead of defeat. It’s not always easy to maintain this mindset, but it is SO worth the sacrifice!

and i think an important part of humility is to never act out of anger or self-righteousness.
i think an element of humility is to always act with everyone’s best interests and well-being, not just yours, in mind.

now, saying this, and being able to do it.. one’s a little easier than the other..

So much ground to cover! Argh. Primal scream.