I am sitting in one of my favorite chairs in our living room. The sun is shining on my upper body as the sun penetrates a large window overlooking our backyard. During the past week the word, “Humility” continues to penetrate my heart.
Healthy humility is important for spiritual growth. According to Christine Valters Painter, the word is derived from humus, (no not the kind we eat) which means earth. Humility targets our hearts to be centered and grounded deep in our souls. Humility is also about truth and radical personal honesty. Painter says, “It is about celebrating the gift we have been uniquely given in service of others as well as recognizing our limitations and woundedness.”
Humility sets aside what we want people to believe about us by stripping away the illusions we hold about ourselves and presenting ourselves in all vulnerability. Thomas Merton describes this as “The difference between the false self and the true self.”
During my lifetime I wanted to show people how perfect I was or could be. I did not want to show people my vulnerabilities. When I did not live up to my expectations I found myself tumble into depression. Each time I prepared to achieve something perfect I also became riddled with anxiety. Some examples include; taking an exam in college, prior to competing in a basketball game, and playing a musical instrument in a band.
Presently I am learning to honor my limitations which is helping me find a new freedom. Painter says, “Acknowledging our limits can liberate us from our compulsions and frantic business and lead us toward recognizing our interdependence.”
“Humility is why we practice the spiritual life daily. We never fully arrive. We will always struggle in small and large ways” says Painter.
What false impressions do you hold about yourself?
What steps can you take to increase healthy humility in your life?
Peace
Larry
email: ljw@superhumanbeing.net
website: httpws://superhumanbeing.net/