Michael Carley shares the often overlooked benefits of a sometimes-forgotten character trait: humility.
The Power of Humility
“Am I young enough to believe in revolution?
Am I strong enough to get down on my knees and pray?
Am I high enough on the chain of evolution
To respect myself, and my brother and my sister
And perfect myself in my own peculiar way?”
Kris Kristofferson (from “Pilgrim’s Progress, 2006)
I don’t usually get chills from political speeches, but there were a few words I really enjoyed in President Obama’s victory speech in 2008. They were “a measure of humility”.
I heard it again (three times) in his inaugural speech. He opened by saying “I stand here today humbled…”, spoke of “the tempering qualities of humility and restraint…” and honored our military “with humble gratitude”.
I’m not naïve; I never really expected the president to live up to his talk. Even engaging in national politics these days seems to require an unhealthy level of narcissism. But in today’s environment, even to hear the words was encouraging.
Humility has become an underrated trait and even a misunderstood one. So let’s start with what it is not.
Humility is not shyness, false modesty, or the practice of hiding one’s own accomplishments. A humble person need not stand aside when he has something useful to say or hold back his opinions.
So what is humility?
In reality, humility is quite powerful and exercising it requires strength of character.
Humility allows a person to stand up for his beliefs when necessary and compromise when needed.
It is that trait that allows one to listen to criticism, hear it objectively, and use it constructively to improve oneself.
Humility will allow a person to know when to lead and when to follow.
Humility allows a citizen to serve her community in without the need for compensation or commendation.
A humble person knows he does not have all of the answers and therefore he tends to ask better questions.
Humility allows a person to remain silent long enough to learn something new.
A humble person will ask for help and accept it rather than continue on a path toward failure.
Humility allows one to see his fellow citizens on equal footing, working with them to achieve common goals despite whatever differences they bring to the table.
A humble person gives the same response to praise or criticism—“Thank you”.
Humility gives the athlete the ability to shake her opponent’s hand after a win or a loss.
Humility allows a famous person to act on his beliefs in the political arena just like any other without demanding the stage and the microphone.
A humble person can work with colleagues as a member of a team, contributing her expertise and deferring to others when appropriate.
Humility allows a person to act on principle without letting his ego become that principle.
The humble person in an argument will concede to his opponent when he has a valid point, thus earning his respect and his willingness to listen further.
Humility allows men to put the toilet seat down even when we don’t understand why it’s such a big deal. It also allows women to sigh quietly and put it down themselves when we forget.
Humble parents wants not only for their child to have things they did not, but for their child to become a better person than the parents had been.
Humility in a politician allows him to work with an opponent on an issue while opposing him on many others.
On this point, I remember being impressed a couple of years ago when in a debate for a local political office, one candidate chose to use some of his time to ask an opponent to expand on an idea of his that he thought was interesting.
Imagine if more candidates did this. Imagine what our politics would be like if we placed a higher value on a candidate’s humility and ability to listen and work with others than her political resume, party loyalty, or use of the appropriate buzzwords. What might our city councils, county boards, state legislatures, and even congress look like if humility were placed near the top of our criteria for candidate selection?
Imagine that.
Previously published in the Porterville Recorder 8/25/10)
Photo: Paul VanDerWerf/Flickr
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One of my morning prayers is: Litany of Humility O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me. From the desire of being esteemed, Deliver me, Jesus. From the desire of being loved… From the desire of being extolled … From the desire of being honored … From the desire of being praised … From the desire of being preferred to others… From the desire of being consulted … From the desire of being approved … From the fear of being humiliated … From the fear of being despised… From the fear of suffering rebukes … From the fear of… Read more »
Thanks Tom. I’m guessing that litany puts you in a great frame of mind for your day.
As matter of fact, it does. It was a co-worker, who always impressed me in the way he carries himself, suggested the prayer to me.