Humility is key to most things in life. There is this proverb in my local language and I will try as much as possible to translate it into English. Hahaha. It goes like this: “The chameleon that is of a gentle/humble nature dies, how much more, a toad that shows off by going up and down.” If you understand Yoruba (my language) I know you can relate. Hahaha.
Humility pays. It speaks more of us being in control and keeping things in check. It speaks more of our character without us having to say much. When you see a humble person, you will know. When you want to know a proud person, you will surely know the things they brag about.
Humility is totally different from low self-esteem. Many people confuse them and it is understandable why they do. As humans, we like looking for ways to cover up for our inadequacies. So, when someone suffering from low self-esteem doesn’t want to admit it, he or she says I am humble. I am sorry, you are not. Being humble doesn’t mean you go into hiding, it only means you know when to talk and what to focus on. Humility is not thinking yourself more than you ought to and low self-esteem is thinking of yourself less than you ought to. You know a humble person sometimes by their level of confidence.
When certain people attain some level of success, then you see their real person. It is always easier at this stage to see how they handle such success, and some people, with just little success, they become cocky and proud. To these people, I have a favorite quote I always use:
“Don’t feel proud or pompous because you have bread. Always remember that someone owns a bakery”.
The true test of a man is when he has the things he needs, only then can you know what he or she would do, or what he or she is capable of doing.
The Queen of Kwate movie I shared a few days ago. There was a point where, when this lady represented the whole of Africa at that time, she felt she was too big for her community. She felt she deserved better (and there is no problem in thinking you deserve better, it is more so in how you do it), she wanted to have what others have since she knows she was better than them. She stopped doing the little things she has been used to, for her mother. It got into her head, but thanks to the coach who stood by her and made her see reasons.
It is okay when success or achievements get to us. That makes us perfectly human, but how much has it changed you? How is the effect on you? How are you handling it? That determines a whole lot and speak more about your character and who you really are.
...to be continued...
Thank you for your time.
My pen doesn’t bleed, it speaks, with speed and ease.
Still me,
My tongue is like the pen of a ready writer.
Olawalium; (Love’s chemical content, in human form). Take a dose today: doctor’s order.
I can say practically that humility is the mother of all virtues because it encompasses purity, charity and obedience. It is in being humble that our love becomes real and perfect. Humble spirit is always respected. I go by this saying that a spirit that bow down will always be lifted up whether biblically or in reality. Being humble give us the reason why life should not be taken as do or die affairs. Since you will be always be compose and see life as a thing that would pass away in a matter of time.
I will add to this, a person that is calm, humble and moderate never get anything talkless of someone that wield pride and always full of himself.
Humility as one of the most prominent of the virtues as it always determine how people will relate with you, an humble person is not some to show off and will always be moderate in all his endeavors.
Our behavior speak all about us that is why being humble is always imperative and will always be the best virtues to be adopted as part of parcel of us in our day to day activities.
People Become Sympathetic, With humility that has made the people around us become more sympathetic with our nature because this nature is contrary to the arrogance that many people do not like.
Have Many Friends, This trait makes people want to be friends with us because people who have this trait is very useful for his own friends who have a positive image for people who appreciate their friendship.
Respected, People become respectful of us with a humble nature that already knows about the benefits we never take pride in.
His heart is always peace and Calm, His determination to be calm and calm is that he never worries about his abilities because he never spits on his abilities.
Avoid From Sobbiness Or arrogant. As I said this simple nature is very much at odds with the arrogant nature of the humble being who will escape pride.
Absolutely. Really love this.
God bless your heart for this.
Thank you.
This is awesome.
Success is the true test of character.
A poor man is a natural humble man, this is not due to the fact that he want to stay humble, but because his level of success does not give him the boost to measure up with his other counterparts, so, he would choose to stay low and calm.
No wonder we complained about people changing when they are succeeding.
Like a friend of mine always saying that a life in poverty is a life in cage, let the money come and we will see how you will use your freedom.
It takes great humility to stay true to yourself when success come.
If one is not wise enough, it is easy to mistake humility for low self esteem. They are two separate entities.
Waiting for the next part with great expectation.
Thank you @olawalium and @communitycoin for this beautiful piece.
Absolutely. Thank you so much for this lovely and good comment. You hit it right on the head.
There are some people who still have nothing and yet are still proud. Hahahahaha. They need divine intervention i guess. Hahahaha.
We all have the tendency, we should learn how to remind ourselves of who we have chosen to become, until it becomes natural with us.
That's calamity in disguise.. Lol
Hahahahahaha
Our society places a lot of value on external accomplishments and appearance, which can sometimes make it difficult to stay humble and grateful. As a leader, it is imperative to show humility in everything you do, to instill this value in others. It’s important to note that humility isn’t about being meek, or short selling yourself; humility is the understanding of your place and your role, even if that role is at the top. Humility also encourages collaboration. Many people find it hard to approach egotistical people to ask for help or offer their own assistance. This, of course, can kill a team before it even begins. Even when you force people to work together, team members may put forth less effort if they feel the leader is undeserving.
Team may put forth less effort when they feel the leader is undeserving. Absolutely. When you are humble, people will readily give themselves up for you.
Humility is all about understanding. I love this.
Thanks a lot brother.
Very good topic, I think that humility has a lot to do with identity, because when we know who we are then we will know how to manifest what we have inside. Many times by having or not having something we change our way of being. In the Bible Paul mentions that he has been taught to live in abundance and in scarcity, in everything and for everything I am taught, so it is important how we have learned to live life.
I totally love this. You are right, humility has a lot to do with our identity. Who we are on the inside is only pushed out sometimes by the achievements we have attained. We should all strive to stay humble.
Thank you very much.
Humility is rarely a genuine emotion in human beings so much so that I found that even having a little of it required more of spiritual resources than I can possibly spend.
Maybe I am unlucky that way, but those who naturally have it are blessed. I am not sure exactly why people might mistake humility for weakness because they certainly do.
Yes, people certainly mistake humility for weakness and it is totally wrong. Our upbringing and society often influence how we are, so we determine how we shouldn't be. Humility can be taught by taking cautions and by choosing what we decide to focus on. It is an act that can be cultivated if truly desired. It takes conscious effort and timely reminder of who we want to be.
Thank you for your honest comment. I love it.
Dude this post is an eye opener, I often has problems because there is a thin line between confusing low self esteem with humility and sometimes I crossover the line as well, this post put things in perspective. I guess the only thing that can prove humility is when you have an abundance of wealth and fame, if then you don't act with humility then it just shows you were insecure than and you are insecure now.
You don't know what people really are until they get what they want in life, maybe they are humor or proud
And even humor and proud is a trait in a every human beings which can't be changed. Some haven't even reach their peak and they still proud on nothing while some has got everything they need and they have the humour sense
It takes a deliberate act to change what we do not want but first, the person must realize that something need to change first. Humility is an act that can be learned, if truly desired.
Thank you for your beautiful writing. Would love to see the movie you wrote about.
I would love you to see the movie too. So much lessons to pick from it.
Thanks a lot.