Lessons for Life: How to be Humble

Lessons for Life: How to be Humblethreats, to grab food wherever we can find it, to
Our culture says that humility is a virtue.reproduce, to fight when bored, to grovel in our
However, we often fail to apply the concept in ourminds.
own lives.When we find a humble person eager to share what
Some of us look for aggressiveness in our children.he or she has, we are surprised and then pleased.
We think that it will help them to succeed in life. ItWhy do I combine benevolence with humility?
also will make you proud when your son scores aBecause they go hand-in-hand don't they? A humble
touchdown or makes the "All State" debate team.person gives his or her soul to God and serves
But have you noticed that some of the greatestothers not expecting any earthly reward.
athletes are humble, that some of the greatestHere is an opinion that I've had for many years: The
intellects are humble, and that some of the greatestmost effective leaders and the best leaders are
leaders are humble?benevolent. This applies to religious leaders, of
What! Your culture doesn't say that humility is acourse, but it equally applies to business executives.
virtue?Does being humble drop your self esteem?
Try this if you are Jewish or Christian:I don't think so. It simply places you in the scheme of
If my people, which are called by my name, shallthings now and in the hereafter. You no longer have
humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, andto think of yourself being the brightest, cleverest,
turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear fromstrongest, best looking person in the world.
heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal theirIf you are rich it will diminish the fact and you will
land. 2 Chr. 7:14become more benevolent. You will seek wisdom
Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly,more than riches and you will govern your affairs
than to divide the spoil with the proud. Prov. 16: 19with dignity and honor.
And the mean man shall be brought down, and theA humble person can take bad luck much better than
mighty man shall be humbled, and the eyes of thea person less humble.
lofty shall be humbled: Isa. 5: 15I have noticed over the years that people from poor
Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this littlestraights can take a loss better than a more wealthy
child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.person or a person of higher social status. They
Matt. 18: 4expect bad luck and they can cope with it.
And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased;Humility is the beginning of knowledge.
and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. Matt.If you say that you know nothing about the fauna
23: 12of Egypt but would like to know about it, you are on
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and heyour way to gaining knowledge. You will feed your
shall lift you up. James 4: 10mind and you will be grateful for that knowledge and
Here is one from the Koran:you will seek more knowledge.
Surely (as to) those who believe and do good andIf you say that you know nothing about a subject
humble themselves to their Lord, these are theand you have no desire to learn more because you
dwellers of the garden, in it they will abide. The Holyare afraid that you might not understand the
Prophet 11.23knowledge you receive, you will be miserable if you
Go to to study what the world's religions say aboutdon't even try to gain such knowledge. You are
humility and being humble."suffering" from low esteem not humility. A humble
Here is a Native American tradition:person says that one will do the best one can to
The Lamenter [who is seeking a vision] cries, for helearn.
is humbling himself,remembering his nothingness in theA humble person will do what he can to serve others.
presence of the Great Spirit. Native AmericanA humble person will search for wisdom.
Religions. Black Elk, Sioux TraditionA humble person will be grateful for all he receives.
Here is a Mormon scripture:A humble person will recognize that he knows little
Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead theebut can learn much more.
by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers.A humble person will not be aggressive to others.
D&C 112:10A humble person will take care of his family and give
There is something about being a benevolent andthem support in all that they do.
humble person that exceeds the expectations of theA humble person will love God and recognize that
angry core of our crocodilian being. We have thatGod will lead him to truth and knowledge.
great urge to survive, to remove or run from