Searching Out Humility
In a lecture titled “What Does Grace Do?”, celebrated author and speaker, Caroline Myss defined “humble” as “nothing sticks to me”. All that is other to me has no power or influence over me. I’ve been with that idea since I listened to the talk onYouTube. Myss has been a best-selling author and lecturer in the field of human consciousness, mysticism, spirituality, health and more, for decades.
This concept of “nothing sticks to me” is significant. Immediately, what comes to mind is that with such humility, we have no special sensitivities, needs, triggers or demands that we bring to our relationships. In that, to whatever degree I am not sticky, I can invite you in and allow you to show up, be, and express yourself as you will. You need not worry about me. Do not be concerned I will be offended, that I will judge, attack or fear you. And if I do, and something then feels sticky, I will look to myself for correction and take my gaze off of you. It may be a process, and it may be unpleasant; but I can do that. If my wings become sticky and bound, I will cleanse in order to be free. So, just be yourself! We were created to soar hand in hand and to uplift one another.
With no need to be cautious or distrustful.
What an amazing experience of freedom it provides for both of us. It’s not just that, “I’m Teflon” It’s the absence of the need for any protective coating or stance. Such humility is our natural state of being, exempt from experiences that would wound or cause a position that says we need to be cautious or distrustful of anyone or anything. Such humility gives us freedom. Uplifted and fulfilled is how we can live our lives! I think it’s worth the work we continue to do that brings healing and resolution to all we bring from our past. We are living in an imperfect physical world, striving to know our spiritual selves. We most often have been raised by flawed people. We have been hurt and have caused harm to others as we too have participated in this world that requires caution, defense, and forgiveness. None of this demonstrates our greater nature, our virtues, and our willingness to express goodness and love.
Unpretentiousness offers a refreshing joy and openness.
While humility can be associated with mildness, being soft-spoken, gentle, or reserved, we can also recognize humility as a brand of strength that is grounded in a solid, confident sense of oneself, standing on a broad, stable base that enables one no need to act with self-aggrandizement, aggression or domination. In this sense, humility produces a presence of unpretentiousness and offers a refreshing joy and openness into which we can plunge, dropping all armor and defenses as we enter into the joy of splashing around and really being together. I love to think in terms of ideals. Should we aim for less?