Each person has their understanding of what humility is and it will depend greatly on the traditions in which you are raised. Let’s face it, we are the culmination of our beliefs and our beliefs are handed down from our forefathers. With Loving care and diligence these beliefs can be shifted and molded to direct your life in the direction of the most high.
The origin of the word humility is “early 14c., from O.Fr. humilité , from L. humilitatem (nom. humilitas) “lowness, insignificance,” in Church L. “meekness,” from humilis “humble.” In the Mercian hymns, L. humilitatem is glossed by O.E. eaðmodnisse” (Online Etymology Dictionary, 2010).
Look now at the dictionary meaning of Hum·ble, which is the root word for Humility.
–adjective
1. not proud or arrogant; modest: to be humble although successful.
2. having a feeling of insignificance, inferiority, subservience, etc.: In the presence of so many world-famous writers I felt very humble.
3. low in rank, importance, status, quality, etc.; lowly: of humble origin; a humble home.
4. courteously respectful: In my humble opinion you are wrong.
5. low in height, level, etc.; small in size: a humble member of the galaxy.
–verb (used with object)
6. to lower in condition, importance, or dignity; abase.
7. to destroy the independence, power, or will of.
8. to make meek: to humble one’s heart.
(humble. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged. Retrieved December 02, 2010, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/humble)
Now that you have a good feel for the word, consider how this feeling serves you in transition. Most people and especially the transgender community are well familiar with the feeling of embarrassment, disgrace, and humiliation. These are typically emotions we avoid like the plague! When you do experience them it is painful and the effects last for days if not longer.
What if instead of getting upset about these events you choose to be grateful for them and accepted them as a gift? How is this possible you ask? Quite simply shift your perception and see these events in their true light. The truth, by the way, is always humbling. As an example, assume that you are wearing a wig (because you feel your hair is too thin) and in full view of public your wig falls off. Several people turn and see you, including a cute person behind the counter who you like. The first reaction is to panic, grab the wig and run! This would of course make things worse. Instead consider the possibility of breathing deeply, moving slowly, picking the wig up, and carefully putting it back in place, asking for help if need be. Feel the humility of such an event and do not run from it. Allow that cute person behind the counter to see the real you, the part that God sees, the lovable part in God’s eyes.
So often in life you allow the ego to run your life and this is where the fear and discomfort comes from in the first place. When Spirit is what animates you then Love is behind every action and even if you fall flat on your face in a restaurant full of people, Loving care, and concern is what reflects back because it is Spirit that fills you. You see – whatever you experience is a reflection of what flows through you. If it is ego, then pride fills you and your experience is that of embarrassment, however if it is Great Spirit/God/Universal Intelligence that fills you then Care and Compassion is your experience. This is the gift of humility!
🙂 Sequoia Elisabeth
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