Humility

I've written about humility before. This post is one of my favorites because it captures the sharp pain that humility sometimes causes. Yesterday, I was deeply humbled in a way that has quieted me and helped me to understand the words in the picture at the top of the page more.

And this quote to sheds light on what I experienced:

Why were the day's events so humbling? This humility was caused by the gap between vision and practice--the limitations one feels when that gap is clearly evident. At it's best, this awareness demonstrates the great strengths and potential of the people and ideas around you, and at its weakest, this awareness makes you realize your imperfect humanity--the finite aspect of who you are as an individual.

Yet as the quote above infers, there is no growing without humility because humility is a great teacher if we are open to its lessons.

What lessons did this humility episode teach me?

First, it taught me to listen more to the wonderful learning community and family community that surrounds me. Their efforts, ideas, questions, and will to do good work is amazing. There is so much to learn from these wonderful people.

Next, it taught me once again to focus in on the actions within my grasp--the opportunities I have to love, serve, and connect with others.

And it taught me, to take some time out from the battles for betterment now and then because if you're always battling, you can become a bit blinded. It's good to step back, to observe, and to listen between battles. It's good to battle for betterment too, but it's best when battles become well-orchestrated advocacy that compels people to listen, hear, and heed your call. That takes practice and finesse.

Yesterday's humility reminded of the important lesson from the book, Getting to Yes, "Go hard on the problem, not the people." As I move ahead I will try to remember that well and keep it at the center of the advocacy work I do. Onward.