When I think of the word “humility” I remember being a very little kid, holding out my arms so my safe grownup could carry me. My arms went around her neck and her arms cradled me, and I just simply rested in her power and didn’t have to be anything other than a little kid in that moment.
“Humility” is not “lower than” another person or the God of your understanding. It’s a truthful, accepting relationship. I am what I am; you are what you are. I have things to teach; you have things to teach. Humility is careful (care-full) of others, and careful for others.
I grew up with cutting criticism from unsafe adults. What they said did not feel true, but I didn’t have words to disagree. When I had my own child, I learned about self-esteem and how parents must build self-esteem in kids through positive praise. The “self-esteem building” words felt false when applied to me, though.
I actually know exactly how pretty and smart I am, and I know how good I do a job. Because of the self-work I did a couple of decades ago, the critical voices from my childhood shut up and I am able to speak the truth about myself and other people. I stopped harming myself with false pride and false humility and I just, simply, am what I am.
I have a lot to teach others about humility. Whoa! That statement sounds like pride and ego! Pride is a sin! Ego is bad! But yet, truthfully, I have a lot to teach others about humility.
While we’re at it, you can teach me what you know about humility.
We can simply rest in each other’s power, and feel complete acceptance. How’s that sound?
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