Imagine what my daughter said to me after I told her we had the humblest woman on earth as a visitor. She said she thought the woman would have knocked quietly, walked slowly, bowed as she greeted, and sat gently in a corner. Is that your understanding of humility, I asked her? Definitely not. I told her that a humble person is not someone who behaves sheepishly or who thinks nothing or so lowly of himself. Humility is not timidity or stupidity. A humble person is someone who knows his worth, yet is very modest in words, looks, and acts. Someone who recognizes that he is not more important than others, who respects others, and who understands his place with others.
Humility is a strength, though some people misinterprete it as weakness. It is having a self esteem without bragging about it. It does not mean weakness or lack of confidence. It is having modesty, thoughtfulness, and selflessness while dealing with others. A humble person, whether he is great or not, rich or not, talented or not, recognizes that others are also good and endowned in their different ways. A humble person, irrespective of what he is or what he possesses, respects the opinion, knowledge, experience, and ability of others.
Humility is one the best and most appreciated character children should have, and it has to be imbibed from childhood. Humility reflects a child’s background and upbringing. It is a useful tool that helps children in their continous wellbeing as they advance in life.
A humble child is automatically an enriched child because of the following reasons;
- Humility gives a measure of self-confidence that makes one see things from a better perspective.
- It makes one a good listener because he considers the ideas and perspective of others.
- It makes one respectful, courteous, and likeable.
- It helps one with personal and intellectual growth through interaction with others.
- It helps to control ego and moderate social life.
- It makes one creative, accommodating, and able to explore the world.
- It helps one to build a lasting relationship.
- It makes one grateful and appreciative.
- It makes one willing to help.
- It makes one less dependable and more secure.
- It makes one contented, happy, and fulfilled.
Humility should be a way of life and a lifetime course. Parents and guardians need to give children the priceless lifetime gift of humility through the way and manner they raise them. A child who speaks respectfully does so, not only at home but to his peers, to adults, and to everyone.
The behaviour of a child is, to a large extent, a reflection of his level of orientation. A child who feels loved, feels cared for, feels positive, feels safe, and stays in a good environment, most likely will have a good and respectful character. In a similar manner, a child who is scorned and treated with contempt grows up spiteful and resentful. Thus, the relationship that parents have with their children profoundly affects their children personality and attitude towards others. This personality is largely weighed through their humility.
Humility is a virtue that is developed from childhood. It is not a behaviour that arrives suddenly with maturity. Rudeness developed from an unchecked arrogance. A disrespectful and arrogant child grows worse into adolescence and adulthood if unchecked. The words a child uses from onset will determine the modesty in his use of words. A child who uses polite, modest, and courteous words like excuse me, please and sorry, will absorb the virtue of humility easily.
Parents and teachers need to model and teach humility. They need to teach children to take pleasure, not pride in their accomplishments. They need to make them understand that it is a privilege for anyone to be special, skilled, talented, and beautiful. They need to take pleasure in others’ talents and accomplishments and recognize the fact that everybody is unique with different gifts and blessings from God.
Humility is determined when ones skills, character, strength, passion, worth, value, and achievements gives one not just a self-worth but a meek disposition before others. Unfortunately, some children and youths are less inclined to humility and more driven by social media influences than real-life situations. They think that their online status dictates their value.They are so engrossed in technological influences to the detriment of their inner being and relationship with others. They feed their screens and artificial life and brag about their high-end lifestyle. They value the number of followers, likes, and comments they have on their social media posts that they forget essential inter personal values like humility.
No doubt, this generation is clearly developing an inflated pride that may break them if nothing is done about it. They need to understand that self-worth does not come from online status, it comes from the day to day and moment to moment relationship between people in their smaller community. Humility relies on self-worth and on the recognition that we all have strengths and weaknesses.
BIBLE VERSE
Luke 14:11
For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted
PROVERB
Poverty is a noose that strangles humility and breeds disrespect for God and man. ~ Native American Proverbs
RIDDLE
I am humble in my greetings, but forget my whole and you are sure to find hell. What am I?
Amara AnnUnachukwu
