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Do you ever have times when you feel like the universe is trying to teach you something? I’m having one of those weeks now, and I think the thing I’m supposed to be learning about is humility.
Humility is one of those virtues we’re all supposed to have, walking humbly and all that. But I’m not sure that we think about it much beyond knowing that bragging is not good and that we shouldn’t get above our raising.
But the more I think about it, the more I see humility as a real weapon in the fight against stress. There have been times in the past few years where I have felt truly stressed—like when my daughter got married or when my father-in-law was sick (yes, joyful things like weddings can be stressful, and we should just admit that.)
During those times many kind friends offered to help me. My response was almost always “No, I’ve got this. Thanks, but I don’t need any help.”
What a dumb thing to say—of course I needed help! So why wouldn’t accept help?
Pride and lack of humility.
When I’m being honest, my thinking went like this:
I can’t accept help because no one else knows what needs to be done.
No one else knows how to do it.
I’m the only one who can do it.
I’m the only one who can do it right.
I’m the only one who can do it right because my way is the only right way.
Ouch.
Once I saw my lack of humility and the thinking that I was the only person who could do it (what ever “it” was) right (i.e. my way), I could let go a little. And accept help. And even ask for help. And feel less stress.
What about you? Are there places in your life where you are holding onto tasks or responsibilities because you think you’re the only who can do it right (i.e. your way)? Can you let go of a couple of them, get a little help, and accept that whatever it is may not be done exactly to your liking, but it will be good enough? And you will have a minute for something else—maybe even rest.
Humility is part of what keeps us thriving.
