because they are no longer concerned about their own interests
and their own reputation, and therefore they no longer need
to waste their efforts in defending them. -Thomas Merton
Humility is a hard lesson to learn in life. Most difficult, I believe, is learning about the power in humility to shape our lives, for most of us don't witness the humble person as being powerful, and we don't witness the same results for them that we witness in those people who have rejected humility. The arrogant blowhard's outcomes are very easy to see; the humble person's achievements are cloaked in the humility that gives them the wonderful strength that they have, so they aren't all that visible, except to the most attentive.
The humble person, of course, doesn't ask for recognition. If recognition comes, then this person doesn't bask in it, doesn't ask for more of it. This person recognizes that life works through her or him, and that whatever she or he has accomplished has been a blessing.
That doesn't mean that we can't feel pride in our accomplishments--of course we can. But when we're so prideful that we demand that others recognize our achievements as something special, then we definitely cannot count ourselves among the ranks of the humble.
I hope to be able to be humble, partly because it's a peaceful way of life, and partly because it's a much more powerful way to live life than being proud offers us. The power in the humble person is true and steady, and not reliant on outside forces such as recognition. The power of the humble person is a power that is used to help others, and it's a very effective power, indeed.
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