humility |(h)yoōˈmilitē|
noun
a modest or low view of one's own importance;
humbleness.
The first word I pulled from my deck of magic spirit
cards was humility. I looked it up in the dictionary. I wasn't sure how it related to my question, or my
life.
The dictionary defintion didn't
help. Should I be more humble, or was I too humble? I read the
little instruction sheet that came with the cards, it suggested if you need help to understand just choose another card.
I shuffled the deck and spread them out face down,
closed my eyes and tried to quiet my mind. I reached out, this time with my
left hand, and chose my second card, and got humility again. Was this
some kind of cosmic joke? Strange as it sounds I did it again, this was an ongoing saga.
I turned the
deck over and organised them into alphabetical order. I discovered my deck had two humility cards. I felt honoured and cheated. I’ve always
appreciated flaws, but couldn't my flaw be something more positive
and simple, like balance or harmony?
My quest for understanding was ignited. First I thought
about returning the deck, it was faulty could I replace them? Instead I decided it was a gift, a reflection of
me that needed exploring.
I pulled out a Thesaurus. Was I too humble and modest or too proud, vain and overbearing? Was
I all of these things, at different times, with different people? Was it positive or negative - did humility actually have two meanings, or did I just have to learn twice as much?
I devoted a lot of time to asking people what they
thought humility meant. Most said humble, others said humiliation. I learned it could mean the opposite of glory. Should I lower my
standards, or raise them higher? Am I being a servant instead of being of
service? Did I think I was better than everyone else or not
honouring my own worth. Was I learning from people around me, or trying to hard to teach them a lesson? Was I being aggressive, assertive or far too submissive?
These two little cards, made me look deeper... I was all
of those things, common and noble.
My shortcomings are obvious and strengths are many, we are all equal, no more or no less. All the positive and negative I see is just a
reflection of me.
 |
| My well used and abused deck with two doses of humiliy |
Cool post...
ReplyDeleteI just try to remember that whatever it is, it isn't about me
Thanks again for stopping by
hahaha I wish I had have met you that year :) (I'm stilling giggling at your grunt post)
DeleteInteresting post. Sounds like the whole experience was pretty humbling :) Life is like that.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sharon, Indeed it was... Life got lighter after H :)
DeleteGreat post, very thought provoking. Balance is such a fine line on which you must balance every quality, every trait of yours. Thanks for this great post.
ReplyDeleteBhavya
AtoZ Challenge
Just Another Blog
Thanks for dropping in Bhav. A few people have used the words thought provoking on my previous posts - you might like the one I did on balance - I guess I provoked myself a lot in the past. I am glad you enjoyed it.
DeleteHi Ida .. I think it's the realisation that at times we get it wrong and then admitting that our approach/idea/attitude wasn't the best for that aspect ... and remember that all times to others we may be 'wrong' ... whatever we feel to ourselves. So often the way we feel isn't really relevant - it matters to the other person - and we can therefore remove ourselves from that 'worry' .. I know if I think about things that matter to others .. it doesn't really matter whether what we feel - as it's their decision ...
ReplyDeleteCheers Hilary
It's a shame I have already done D for dreams - otherwise I would have chosen detachment and copied and pasted your comment :) I have had many discussions about how I can't be responsible for how other people think and feel, especially if it was the complete opposite of my intended meaning. - there's truth in yours and the first comment by IT too - 'whatever it is, it isn't about me' :)
DeleteIt depends on the situation and like most things in life there are many, many variables. Interesting thoughts.
ReplyDeleteHi Sally, thanks I struggled with some of those 'interesting' thoughts for a long time, glad to report writing about them is much easier than trying to solve them :)
DeleteWonderful post. YOu got me thinking, not sure I've ever thought that much about one word. Can you pull cards for others? Can you help me understand what the cards are, and how you use them? Thank you for your visit, I so appreciate opinions from those around the globe.
ReplyDeleteHi Sandy, I'm not sure what you mean help you to understand what the cards are? Perhaps my introductory post will help A-Z challenge list. Words of change I have pulled many cards for other people and will gladly choose a word for you. A two card past/present spread or a 3 card, What have I learned, what am I learning, and what is my next lesson, are great places to start. I've enjoyed reading your thoughts too.
DeleteWow--what a powerful word, "humility". Yes, the one thing I hate about cards is the fact they're open to so many interpretations. But isn't everything? Really, everything that happens to us, everything we feel and think, has no real definition beyond what *we* give it, right? The most powerful insight comes from within us. Thanks for this post and its reminder, and thanks so much for your earlier visit to my blog :) Look forward to reading more!
ReplyDeleteThe power of the word presented itself when I discovered two cards in the deck - the first two cards I pulled no less. I needed to find new interpretations, someone else might have just thrown one of them away. If I pull cards for other people, my first question is what does it mean for you, do you relate? Of course I offer my understanding or experience if they want it, then it is up to them to decipher what it means for them... purely because the truth behind 'insight comes from within us' :) Thanks for coming to visit Guilie.
DeleteDefinitely made me think!!
ReplyDeleteWe think we write :)
DeleteHi Ida, it's strange but I feel humility is such a loaded word. I *think* I am humble and act humbly but in doing so, is there pride in this? Especially since I realise that the older I get, the harder it is to accept people who think/live differently from me. Your wise thoughts have given me plenty to ponder about. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteJust when I thought I had exhausted my understanding of humility your question about pride thinking, perhaps yes, but I think submission or aggression is a bigger problem for the less humble. Accepting that people think or live differently doesn't mean you have to enjoy their company. It's essential to find like minded people. Thanks for visiting Melch - I just visited your blog - I love what you do with your stories. Happy A-Z
DeleteDid they all say humility or just those two? I am sure it was just the two, and I read every word here and would be stumped as to what to do. I think maybe it was just a response and you were actually think about what to write for the letter H.
ReplyDeleteThanks for checking out my AtoZ.
Rhonda @Laugh-Quotes.com
Sorry Rhonda I am not sure what you mean by just a response? Yes the deck had two humility cards in it, and the journey to understand it's meaning for me is what I have written about. Hopefully I have answered your question.
DeleteSorry, I was suggesting that maybe there was nothing to understand, but rather it was just the universe's response to "I need a word that starts with the letter H."
ReplyDeleteActually, I loved what you wrote and your journey. I found it really fascinating that you pulled that word twice. It must mean something. However, I had nothing valuable, insightful or even clever to add, so I tried to be funny, but it failed. :)
HAHAHA literally laughs out loud - that was far from a failure.. that was a classic HAHAHAA i just read the first line again and laughed again.. it certainly touches on what other people have said - only the things we give importance to are important... It must be your kiwi accent that didn't translate at funny the first time... still giggling :)
DeleteSometimes a cosmic joke is entirely what we need.
ReplyDelete