Humility

So often this word can have mixed feelings attached. It can sometimes have an association of feeling less than or needing to shy away from something. Maybe it has been thrown at us in an accusatory manor. The definition describes it as: A modest or low view of one's own importance; humbleness. I love the word "modest" as it offers somewhat of a surrender type of energy as opposed to getting caught up in taking on the self-sabotaging perspective of the "low view of one's own importance". In my opinion and relationship with this word, it has grown to have a beautiful essence. C.S. Lewis said it best ~ "Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less." When we remove the ego from the word, it takes on a whole new meaning.

So, what does that look like, thinking of ourselves less? Often, we spend so much of our day in our heads with our thoughts, trying to manage or understand our feelings and how they dictate our actions. How are we supposed to think of ourselves less when we spend all day in our own worlds? In each moment we are offered a choice. How does this best serve me and what would serve the greater good? Whenever we have the opportunity to take the attention and obsessive thoughts off of ourselves and apply that energy to the greater good and those around us, we are walking the path of humility.

"Humility is not cowardice. Meekness is not weakness. Humility and meekness are indeed, spiritual powers."

~ Swami Sivanada

The road to humility requires a strong amount of self-reflection, self-awareness, and loving honesty. The key is to open ourselves up to where we may need to examine and check our ego while we walk the wobbly line of balance between holding ourselves accountable without lowering our self-worth in the process. For me, when I take the time to remind myself that nothing I have in my life, came to be without the support or care of someone or some situation that presented itself to me. With that reflection, I am instantly humbled knowing that there are so many factors at play in this magical world and I am just a tiny particle of the magnificent dance.

What if the next time we felt a little self-important, we took a moment to mentally acknowledge everyone and everything that supported us and made that moment possible for us to shine the way we are?

What if when we felt our ego creep up and try to convince us that our needs, wants, or desires are more important than someone else's, we simply remembered that there are many different perspectives taking place in every given moment?

Each viewpoint deserves to be seen, validated and understood or if that is not accessible to you for the sake of healthy personal boundaries with a situation or individual, at the very least, acknowledge that we are all sovereign beings on our own journey and have a place in this chess game we call life and it is not for us to decide or judge another's choices or actions.

In my journey and relationship with humility, surrendering to my spiritual practice and feeling the vastness of the energy field that is around and a part of us all, puts into perspective, the importance of my existence and the micro roll I play, on this planet as well as the massiveness of the collective that we are all connected to and a part of. The oak tree is not more important than the clover, just as the water is not more important than the air, I am no more important than any other being and yet, an invaluable component of the collective.

Each and every one of your needs and values are extremely important and deserve to be seen, heard and understood, but never at the expense or detriment of another's well-being. Know your value, know your truth, and humbly stand in your spiritual power! Shine like the star you are.

All the love,

Pamela