I was over at the Spirituality and Practice website getting some inspiration for my foray into Humility this week and I read the following.
Walk lightly upon the earth. The words "humility" and "human" both come from "humus" or earth. With humility, we accept our place as one among many others. When we recognize that we are no more important than those others, we take no more than our small share. We approach even the most menial tasks joyfully. We accept that we are only here to be of service to God's great creation.
I LOVE this! Getting to the root of words is always so enlightening. Thinking of humanity, humility and the earth all coming from the same root meaning really helps me to grasp them all. Humility has previously felt so lofty, something only great men like Jesus and Socrates could ever fully attain. I know this is in complete opposition to what either of them were teaching but their legendary ability to live this virtue always made it seem supernatural to me. Kind of like a super power. If you are Jesus you can wield this one, but mere mortals you are destined to struggle with this!
I find it easy to think of myself as a part of the earth with no more or less importance then anything else. Starting from the earth, and returning to the earth when greed or pride rear their head can put me in my place pretty quickly. The earth offers her gifts freely to everyone without regard of social standing. My path to humility is to follow her lead. Take no more then I need and do my best to share and be of service whenever I can. It isn't lofty at all. It is actually pretty simple.
This week's "Bliss Initiatives" are color coded in purple for quick identification. They are specific things that you too can try, if you want to play along with me. However, because as Earl Nightingale says, "you become what you think about," even if you only follow along, and never take on any of the bliss initiatives, I expect some positive results. I will be exploring and encouraging HUMILITY this way:
- Study Humility - I will take my usual trip around the ether and see what inspiring things I can find about humility and I'll share what I find here. If you are playing along take your own tour and please share your insights on the Everyday Bliss Facebook page or on the blog in the comments.
- Practice Kindness Anonymously - Each day, make a point of doing something kind, without taking any credit. This can be in the form of an anonymous donation to a charity or a kind deed.
- Give Up Trying to Change Other People - If your husband leaves the cap off the toothpaste just put it on without berating him. If your mom insists on bringing food even when you asked her not to, say thank you and resist the urge to complain. Pass over the mistakes of others and accept being slighted, forgotten, and disliked. Let's give up trying to force our will upon others (even when we know it would be good for them!)
- Second Guess Yourself (this great idea is from Be Inspired Everyday) - Today, second guess something that you believe you know to be true. Ask what other people believe about that idea. Then, ask God for clarification and take time to silently meditate on that belief. You may find that you will gain a new and refreshing view or you may further solidify your belief. Either way, wisdom and humility will be gained.
How will you practice humility this week?
Next post: Coming a bit later today a gratitude Giveaway!
My 13 bliss virtues are
joy, order, creativity, passion, whimsy, serenity, inquiry, community,
romance, gratitude, moxie, humility, and surprise.
This week we are studying Humility. Next week it is Surprise.
I've got something for you!
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I will try my best to keep these in mind. I especially agree with stop trying to change people. Sometimes we just need to bite our tongues and accept others for who they are. Visiting from the Lady Bloggers.
ReplyDeleteAnd yet again, perfect timing. Oddly, I just wrote about humilty (in my journal)...my challenge is to practice being humble without apologizing. (I say, "I'm sorry" probably dozens of times every day...it is not being humble, but self-defacing.)
ReplyDeleteI've been searching for some enlightment in any form today and "humility" was the winner. What a thoughtful post. It really got me thinking about myself and how I need a lot of humility taking the lead in my life.
ReplyDeleteHumbling ourselves and trying to work on our own weaknesses could most likely help us to embrace the virtue Humility because we definitely can not change others or force them to fix their weaknesses.
Lovely post!
Definitely food for thought. I have to think about this one, and I'll need to read more throughout the week. I ALWAYS second guess myself, so I might already be filled to the brim with humility! Sometimes, second guessing yourself can be a bad thing, however. Depends on the situation. Sometimes it can be for the better and sometimes it can turn out not so well. I've given up long ago on trying to change people - because you never can. People need to want to change themselves. And it's not because they wish to do it for someone else but they must want to do it for themselves and no one else. Gee, for someone who doesn't know what to think - I've said plenty! LOL Sorry if I'm kind of all over the place here. Theresa
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