Humility is unrelated to a specific gender, or even how tall or short one is, the size of their waistband, or headband, it is unrelated to their I.Q., whether they have a formal education or none. It even has no relationship to whether one is young or old, their social standing, or how much money they have accumulated, it doesn’t even matter what calling they may have in the church or even if they are a member of a church. I believe that gratitude is the mother of humility. A person who is sensitive to and aware of their life and their surroundings. One who, several times each day, may exclaim aloud; ‘Wow!’ as they view something beautiful in their environment. One who may see a small child whose innocence and beauty may bring a tear to their eye, or a glimpse of God’s creative handiwork in the country side and they want to linger as they drink in its beauty.
One who looks into the eyes of every other and sees a spirit created in God’s image. One who may, then and there, glance towards heaven with a sigh of gratitude to Heavenly Father. A person, who kneels beside his bed and offers a solemn prayer for having been alive that day to enjoy those experiences. Is pride the opposite of humble?
Is it a sign of pridefulness to express a certain amount of pride in others or something we may have accomplished? In life it is hard to avoid using the term “I am proud of you!” Someone has written that what we really mean by that is “I love you and/or I value you.” It is also hard at times not to feel a certain amount of pride in ourselves for the things we may have accomplished. There, too, what we may really feel is that we value that which we accomplished. That accomplishment may represent an opportunity to find a job or a better job to provide for our families.
Humility does not equate to groveling, humiliating ourselves, or the wearing of sackcloth and ashes. Humility is equated to recognizing that everything we do in life is or was possible because others made it possible for us to do it. Whether we are referring to our parents or our ancestors who built the bridges we cross over every day or our friends who sustain us and support us by their friendships. It is equated to being grateful for the very breath we take and recognizing that without God’s hand in the creation of this earth so that it would sustain our lives we could do nothing, and we would be nothing.
There is a story about a boy who was very popular among others his age. He was an excellent leader in his school groups. One of his friends visited him and saw a homemade plaque in his room with the words “I Am Third” on it. His friend asked him what it meant and he replied, “It is the motto I try to use in my life. It means “God is first, Others are second, and I am Third.’” That is a motto that would be appropriate for each of us to adopt as a reminder to remain humble.
Years ago as a college student, I remember registering for a freshmen literature class, and one of the requirements was to read a lot of poetry by various famous poets. I was not very excited about the project, but after getting involved in the assignment, I was glad for the joy and insight I was gaining.
One of the poems that touched me was titled: Abou Ben Adhem; I have read it many times since then and each time it reminds me of how much I should be as Abou.
Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!)
Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,
And saw, within the moonlight in his room,
Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,
An Angel writing in a book of gold:
Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,
And to the Presence in the room he said,
“What writest thou?” The Vision raised its head,
And with a look made of all sweet accord
Answered, “The names of those who love the Lord.”
“And is mine one?” said Abou. “Nay, not so,”
Replied the Angel. Abou spoke more low,
But cheerly still; and said, “I pray thee, then,
Write me as one who loves his fellow-men.”
The Angel wrote, and vanished. The next night
It came again with a great wakening light,
And showed the names whom love of God had blessed,
And lo! Ben Adhem’s name led all the rest!
—James Henry Leigh Hunt
Humility is not an easy term to define, but I like the statement made above, “I believe that gratitude is the mother of humility.” To have an excitement for life that causes you to be in wonder of it, is a state of mind that initiates a feeling of humility. May Heavenly Father bless us with that kind of gratitude (humility).