What an excellent question, Dragon! I think it's especially hard for us as Americans, because we have it drummed into us that "we're #1"--our country, our team, ourself. We seem to miss the distinction for striving to do your best, and bragging about it, if you turn out to "be" the best.
I think it is a constant struggle to be humble. What helps me, to the extent I succeed at all, is to keep in mind how very, very attractive I find humility in others. The older I get, the more I admire it. I've lost my tolerance for those who would ring their own bell.
It's called "The Golden Rule" by Christians, the "Rule of Three" by Wiccans and has other names in the other major religions... but it says
"Do what you want done to you". Seems very simple to me
"What you do will come back to you" .... Not hard to understand
Those messages (if heeded)
should keep anyone humble enough to be civilized
I took up golf, that taught me humility in spades.
Something I tell my children often and I don't even remember where or when I heard it:
You're as good as anybody but you're not better than anyone.
I know where you heard it! From my mother!!!!! Are we related?
Humility is "being prepared to do the 'dirty work' without leaving it to someone else." From this we can perhaps infer that if one thinks one is doing "holy" work, one most likely believes one is superior. I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty. I also know I'm not holy.
how do you(or do you)pass on the intoxicating drink of superiority to follow the path of humility?
I had children. Until then I'm pretty sure I was perfect.
I think Mother Teresa would disagree with you, Lady Earth.
She did what she considered the holy work and got her hands dirty as do so many of the good people who volunteer their time to work with third world cultures simply because they feel this is what their God has asked them to do.
This does not mean that all good work comes from people who believe it is holy work, but I can't discount these humble people giving up cushy lives to live and work among the poor.
Maintaining a firm grip on my values tempers the allure of superiority.
posted by okhela
about 1 year ago
I agree with most of what you said Crest. We only differ in my belief that not all those people who volunteer to assist in third world countries were sent by God. Some are there on their own volition.
