On a scale of 1 – 10, with 10 being “very humble” how humble do you think you are?
– Test of humility
– Test of humility
This thing called humility
The more conscious you are of it the more likely you are to display a lack of it.
– Humility
As counter intuitive as it may sound, it’s often the case that the more you think of being humble the more likely you are to show a lack of it. Constantly thinking of the need to display humility in itself seem to often come from the place of pride or can easily lead to it; taking pride in being humble.
Now try to answer the test of humility again and sincerely evaluate your answer. Perhaps you’ll see the paradox.
This is not to say that you shouldn’t think of humility or desire to have it. As a matter of fact, the goal of this article is to show you the need for humility and what true humility looks like. It is also to show you how proud your search for humility can make you if care is not taken.
So, what is it really to be humble?
Rick Warren made a good attempt at defining this in one sentence.
“True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less”
I like this quote because it makes clear that low self-esteem is not humility, this is important to differentiate because often times low self-esteem is closely discussed with the topic of humility. And in practice often assumed to be humility.
But C.S Lewis in one of his most popular books gives an even better explanation for this:
Do not imagine that if you meet a really humble man he will be what most people call ‘humble’ nowadays: he will not be a sort of greasy, smarmy person, who is always telling you that, of course, he is nobody.
Probably all you will think about him is that he seemed a cheerful, intelligent chap who took a real interest in what you said to him. If you do dislike him it will be because you feel a little envious of anyone who seems to enjoy life so easily.
He will not be thinking about humility: he will not be thinking about himself at all.If anyone would like to acquire humility, I can, I think, tell him the first step. The first step is to realize that one is proud. And a biggish step, too. At least, nothing whatever can be done before it. If you think you are not conceited, it means you are very conceited indeed.
It helps to read that quote again.
The point in Lewis’ explanation is obvious and it goes to make clear that humility is often more internal than steaming from outward appearance or behaviors and that a humble person doesn’t really think about humility as much.
As a virtue humility plays an important role in our lives; personal and professional.
Jim Collins had this to say after some years of research:
The most powerfully transformative executives possess a paradoxical mixture of personal humility and professional will. They are timid and ferocious. Shy and fearless. They are rare – and unstoppable.”
Why Humility?
Often time it is easy to read something for head knowledge and not find an immediate practical application for it. Though I am interested in the idea of collecting or creating dots so you can later connect, it is important where possible to find a practical application for new knowledge this way retention is also easier.
So one may ask why humility, why is this something to be concerned about, why does it matter and of what practical importance is it?
Humility can ease and make learning, unlearning, self-awareness, reflection more likely.
As a state of mind, it breeds internal peace and can make you more teachable while being a good listener and generally improving your overall well being.
Happiness
Humility helps us to serve others which can make us happier.
So many researches have indicated how helping others significantly contributes to our happiness. In one of such research Elizabeth Dunn and her colleagues approached people on a university campus and gave them either $5 or $20 to spend by the end of the day, they asked half of the participant to spend the money on themselves and the other half to spend it on someone else.
The result showed that those who spent the money on others felt better and reported happier mood than those who spent the money on themselves. Of-course there is more to this research, but the point goes to show that helping others, serving others has repeatedly shown to improve happy feelings and positively improve our health.
It should perhaps be obvious now how humility can play a major role here; it is a lot easier for the humble in heart to truly serve others than it is for the proud.
Recognizing and acknowledging vulnerability.
I think that humility really does help one to recognize and acknowledge his or her limits, it makes the possibility of acknowledging your vulnerability more likely. As a matter of fact, people generally have the tendency to not embrace vulnerability very easily (for obvious reasons) but for the proud; it is most difficult.
Vulnerability has since been linked to play a major role in human connection, the quality of our relationships, and by extension our overall happiness.
Brené Brown has extensively written and talked about this, in one of her TED talks she explains how we can’t selectively numb emotions, that when we numb vulnerability for example, we numb joy, gratitude, happiness and become miserable. It is also important that she notes that “Vulnerability is not weakness. And that myth is profoundly dangerous”. Without a doubt this is indeed a myth that many still believe but not surprising.
She further explains saying “…i believe that vulnerability is our most accurate measurement of courage”. To truly see ourselves, to honestly let ourselves be seen; and i think this is the courage that only the humble have the capacity to exercise.
Increased self awareness and teachability.
Humility can help you know more about yourself especially in the place of reflection, to be more truthful with/to yourself. It helps keeps you more curious and open-minded which can improve your efficiency, personal and professional life.
Humility exposes you to more knowledge and makes learning a lot simpler.
But there is More
The practical benefits associated with humility are numerous, therefore the above is not an exhaustive list but rather, in my opinion the less obvious ones. From a biblical perspective there appear numerous benefits of humility. Among many others here are some interesting passages that tells us something incredible about humility.
Humility gets God’s attention and He responds to it
Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.Daniel 10:12
The Lord’s eyes keep on roaming throughout the earth, looking for those whose hearts completely belong to him, so that he may strongly support them.2 Chronicles 16:9
God dwells with the Humble
For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite.Isaiah 57:15
He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.Psalm 25:9
Likewise, you who are less experienced, submit to leaders. Further, all of you should clothe yourselves in humility toward one another, because God opposes the arrogant, but to the humble he gives grace.1 Peter 5:5
There is so much to be said about humility, but it is a virtue that can be learnt, prayed for. One important warning though is when you pray for humility, to say “Lord please humble me” might not be the same as saying “Lord please teach me to be humble.” hopefully with this warning you wont find the difference the hard way.
Pride especially can stand in the way of believers in so many ways as i hope you may have seen now, in the words of C.S Lewis, As long as you are proud you cannot know God. A proud man is always looking down on things and people: and, of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you.
