The word humility was originally a Latin word ‘humilis’, which means ‘low’. Hence, it is safe to describe humility as being lowly.
Ordinarily, human beings have the tendency to be proud. Pride emanates from a place of affluence, feeling of worth or self-importance. While it is not wrong to know and recognise your worth, it is pertinent to note that there is a thin line between self-worth and pride. We often hear expressions like ‘do you know who I am?’
More often than not, people who brag as such are far from being demure. Humility is a virtue worthy of emulation, even in this new year. People have vision boards and resolutions for the year. For those who aspire to hit it big this year, please chase up on humility. It just could be the key you need to unlock your potential.
Permit me to paint a picture, like I often do. This story is a living experience of a couple. The husband was a General in the Force. He had the respect of the president and great men.
Everyone loved him. He was a man of influence and affluence.
However, he had an infirmity that was limiting. That illness made him shed secret tears. It was an embarrassment not only to him but his wife and household at large. His children could not publicly say this is my dad, and the wife buried her head in shame when women of substance gathered. This made them lived like hermits. Before long, they had a domestic assistant, who was diligent and godly. The madam of the house was humble and friendly to her.
One fateful day, she asked her madam if she could ventilate her thoughts on an issue bothering her. The madam was all ears. The maid mentioned he knew how and where the ‘oga’ the General could be cured.
Are you kidding me? The maid said she could swear on her dad’s grave. The wife rushed to her husband, the General, and relayed all the maid had spoken about his recovery. Without much ado, proper arrangements were made to embark on the trip, to see the physician.
The General travelled with his retinue of security guards. They were loaded with cash and gifts. They arrived and saw the physician. The physician looked ordinary and gave a simple prescription. The General bubbles got burst. He was livid! He expected a complicated prescription. He felt he had wasted his time and resources to have embarked on the journey. What about his dashed hope? As he was lamenting, one of his aides asked him why he was so angry. He counselled him to adhere to the simple instruction. He appealed passionately to him that there was no harm in trying. Reluctantly, the General yielded. As he dipped his skin in the water, leprosy left.
Humility is a virtue that is ebbing rapidly in society. What are you looking for? Your gatekeeper may have the solution. The information you need to get to the next level in your career may be at the disposal of your secretary or your clerical officer. The question is, how do you treat them?
Imagine if the maids madam was cocky, irascible, and unapproachable? She may never have the confidence to proffer the solution.
Humility offers a key that unlocks great doors. I presently live in a society where you see the wealthy catch a train and sit with others. No class divide! You see CEO’s in the lounge with employees.
Humility is a place to be. It is dignifying and constructive. Humility is quite simple, it isn’t complicated at all. Just live it!
It is appalling to see how some people who rose from grass to grace often forget their crucibles and lash out at the upcoming folks.
2025 offers an array of opportunities. You need humility to grab yours and enjoy it. Stay humble, and if you are not humble learn humility. Please do not learn in a hard way. Humility guarantees your lifting always. The way up is usually following from the down.
Ebunoluwa Ibibo
@Golden muse
