We, the human

Be we ever so humble?

Photo by Greg Rakozy on Unsplash

If you look up the words human, humble and humility online, you may find a line of thought that they share an etymology: the Latin word humus, “of the earth, soil.” In fact, they are related but not derivative. The word humus and the term human do share a common lingual ancestor, but it is the Proto-Indian-European (PIE) (dh)ghomon which spawned the terms humus, human, homo. Same difference? Maybe.

If you type the word “humility” into Google, you may not be impressed with the definitions.

The Cambridge Dictionary defines humility thusly: “the quality of not being proud because you are aware of your bad qualities.”

So, humility is associated with low self-esteem and poor self-image? No wonder folks are avoiding being humble as if it were a plague. But being humble or being called humble should not be profane.

According to Wikipedia: Humility, in various interpretations, is widely seen as a virtue which centers on low self-preoccupation, or unwillingness to put oneself forward, so it is in many religious and philosophical traditions, it contrasts with narcissism, hubris and other forms of pride and is an idealistic and rare intrinsic construct that has an extrinsic side.

Can humility lead to greater happiness? Is the lack of it driving our apparent social dyspepsia ?

“There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self.” - Ernest Hemingway

How does one manifest and practice humility? Mother Teresa, perhaps the definition of a humble service to others, has some advice:

To speak as little as possible of one's self.
To mind one's own business.
Not to want to manage other people's affairs.
To avoid curiosity.
To accept contradictions and correction cheerfully.
To pass over the mistakes of others.
To accept insults and injuries.
To accept being slighted, forgotten and disliked.
To be kind and gentle even under provocation.
Never to stand on one's dignity.
To choose always the hardest.

Can humility lead to greater happiness? Is the lack of it driving our apparent social dyspepsia ?

Lao Tzu, the father of Taoism, thought so: “I have three precious things which I hold fast and prize. The first is gentleness; the second is frugality; the third is humility, which keeps me from putting myself before others. Be gentle and you can be bold; be frugal and you can be liberal; avoid putting yourself before others and you can become a leader...”

Be kind…Be gentle…Be modest.

Seems like a long road. The first step is within. Better get going.

I prayed for change,

so I changed my mind.

I prayed for guidance

and learned to trust myself.

I prayed for happiness

and realized I am not my ego.

I prayed for peace

and learned to accept others unconditionally.

I prayed for abundance and realized my doubt kept it out.

I prayed for wealth

and realized it is my health.

I prayed for a miracle

and realized I am the miracle.

I prayed for a soul mate

and realized I am the One.

I prayed for love

and realized it is always knocking,

but I have to allow it in.   

- Rumi