The Audacity of Humility
October 9, 2012 – 8:21 am
Posted to my facebook timeline, “Some people’s lives are just shit and you need to accept that rather than making them believe their more than they are. Your very arrogant to think you’re better than everyone else talking and talking about motivational garbage. What makes you so special???”
I was just a kid from central Pennsylvania. Nothing makes me special. That is the point of my entire life.
But I believe we confuse humility in the current era. We look down on those who stand up for others,assuming they must be arrogant for taking a stand. As Gordon Hinkley wrote, “Being humble is recognizing that we are not on earth to see how important we can become but to see how much difference we can make in the lives of others.”
My teacher demonstrated this through her actions and words, laughing at herself saying she was crazy, but then spending countless hours beyond fatigue listening to the hardships of others and then comforting them with a loving hug.
My coach would never step forward for accolades, but faced international ridicule and personal attacks because he believed we were capable of so much more as a people than we individually gave ourselves credit.
We must not accept smallness out of fear of arrogance, nor use humility as an excuse for not taking risks.
I hear how hard your situation must be. And I can bear being called arrogant to believe in you so strongly that I know you can change your circumstances. I can endure even your hate knowing that my faith in you will offer a chance you will come to believe in yourself, as I do.
So let me say, “Thank you.” You see, I only found the courage to change my circumstances when I dedicated myself to helping others endure and transcend similar challenges. Perhaps if you turned that powerful emotion you express toward me, to helping others, you too will have the audacity to lift up others, and by doing so lift up yourself.
Very respectfully,
Scott Sonnon
www.facebook.com/ScottSonnon
