Number 27 in a Series
When thinking about being humble, what positive and negative thoughts and images come into your mind?
Conventional thinking views humility as weakness. But, it is humility that allows the strength to live in the mystery. With humility, I am open to holding my beliefs loosely enough to receive feedback and change course rather than being slavishly attached to my beliefs.
Letting go of sureness and the desire to predict and control the future allows an appreciation for the perfection and magic of the moment. Transcending my fears of the future leaves me with the experience of wonder. I am more accessible for connection with others. The more I live in that state, the more my life becomes wonder full.
This is not to suggest that I reject the definite ideas espoused by the authors of most books or theories. That would be like throwing the baby out with the bath water. When I can discern what truly supports connection to my heart, I can accept the aspects of ideas that nurture me, and reject any parts that foster disconnection.
One of the most important beliefs that has allowed me to live more with humility is my belief about God. I use it as an example of how changing one belief opened me more to the mystery of life and the serenity that follows.
In Transformations of Myth Through Time, Joseph Campbell wrote, “God is simply our own notion of something that is transcendence and mystery. The mystery is what’s important.” From studying many ancient civilizations, I learned that attempts at defining, or codifying God take us away from this unknowable mystery.
If the mystery could not be known through my mind then God is an experience of living with acceptance and awe rather than a being with specific attributes. This belief leaves me with the humility and acceptance of all paths that naturally follow a heart connection.
Humility brings appreciation, gratitude, and fulfillment into my life and blesses me with serenity. It is a gift to myself that relieves me of the worry, tension, and pain that result from a need to prove something. Letting go of the need to prove, defend, convince or be in control allows those close to me to gain more trust in my caring.
Humility allows me to not take things so seriously, to relax, and play with life. Living in the mystery, I am connected to life and flowing with it, connected to others and flowing with them.
For Your Journey
- Think about the difference it would make in your life to live with the humility of knowing that what you believe about unknowable things such as reincarnation, morals, or manners is a choice, i.e. “a way” rather than “the way”?
- What difference would it make in your relationships if you did not try to get others to believe as you do?
- What difference would make to have experiences, e.g. dreams, visions, insights, and inner voices, without rigidly holding onto interpretations of these experiences e.g. as spirit guides, God, or disembodied spirits?
- What keeps you from being comfortable living in the mystery of uncertainty?
- Share-it-forward. Discuss the idea of living with the humility of not trying to impose your ideas on others.
First in the Series: From Head to Heart
Next Week: # 28 – Journeying to the Heart of a Religious Spiritual Belief
BECOMING YOUR OWN HERO illuminates a path available to us all to attain the kind of personal power demonstrated by our most revered and inspirational heroes. Marianne Williamson, #1 New York Times best-selling author said, “I highly recommend this illuminating and touching look into the possibilities of staying connected to our hearts, even when facing difficult situations.”
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Photo: Flickr / Rachel Samanyi
