Lots of us--probably most of us--have trouble with humility, seeing it as a weakness rather than a foundation of strength. I was no exception. Until I was close to 30 humility seemed like a disease of the feeble-minded.
Eventually I grew to understand the strengths and richness that excelling at this simple practice brings. Humility is part of love and kindness, and more important, it helps us know who we are at the deepest level.
The Tao Te Ching has this insight, "Whoever is familiar with honor and glory, yet maintains his humility, becomes the valley of the world. Being the valley of the world, he has an eternal power which always suffices and returns to the character of the uncarved block."
Humility is a light of dignity,
a strength of character.
Currents of humility stem
from the earth of the soul;
a bedrock of virtue,
it is part of an earnest self-respect.
Until humility is practiced and understood
nothing of significance will matter.
As we move toward fullness of character
humility enriches Gardens of our lives.
It calls opportunities that step
into the center of our soul,
to blossom with our failures and successes
as we trek this winding trail.
