“The biggest challenge after success is shutting up about it.”
― Criss Jami
Lately I find myself reacquainted with the notion that our society is comprised of individuals lacking humility.
But what is humility really?
British writer C.S. Lewis once said, “Humility isn’t about thinking less of yourself – but thinking of yourself less.”
A powerful statement, which when I look around society today is rarely practiced with any consistency or sincerity. Here’s but one example.
The other day my wife and I were outside doing some yard work, when a man approach whom we hadn’t seen before. Turns out this gentleman lived a few blocks down the road and was out taking a leisurely stroll during the cooler weather.
Welcoming the break, we engaged in a conversation with this new neighbor, which at first was very light-hearted and even enjoyable.
But it didn’t take long to realize we were in the presence of someone who definitely lacked humility.
Even when he asked a question of us, he quickly monopolized the conversation – pontificating about his life in comparison to ours and everyone else’s. He dropped names (unfamiliar to us) and was incredibly self-promoting, as though he were doing an in-depth interview with People magazine.
I’m fond of good conversation, but unwilling to propagate one’s internal insecurities, which is where this lack of humility often stems from.
Donna Lynn Hope once wrote, “If you have to boast about what you do for a living to attract attention, attraction or approval, then you’re seeking the wrong kind of people for it has nothing to do with who you are and everything to do with what you do. Is that the kind of people you want? The ones who are more attracted to your status than you?”
I’m not easily impressed by one’s material possessions, status or accomplishments in life. What does impress me is the selfless acts of kindness you choose to do with your life – actions which are seen without the need to boast about them.
Here’s hoping this neighbor forgets where we live.