Many people believe that humility is the opposite of pride, when, in fact, it is a point of equilibrium. The opposite of pride is actual a lack of self-esteem. A humble person is totally different from a person who cannot recognize and appreciate himself as part of this worlds marvels.-Rabino Nilton Bonder

Defined as:…: the quality or state of being humble…

“Oh lord it’s hard to be humble.”… In my previous entry I talked about getting down on my hands and knees to push the pen. In many ways it was a humiliating experience. Many feelings came up during that time, anger, confusion, pride, ego, desperation, with the end result being freedom, relief, and awakening. Humiliation I have found is often being put in my place with challenge, accountability, and many times against what my head wants to do. Now humility is something totally different. Humility is knowing my place. Where do I fit? Humility put me on level playing ground with everyone else. I was not less than, nor better than. It taught me the difference between my quest for significance verses my self ambitions.

In my search for meaning and significance I could not be confused with my personal ambitions for worldly success. Meaningful fulfillment can be achieved only through knowing who I am and becoming what I am meant to be. A clear sense of identity could not be found from external circumstances. It could only be built on a new foundation of core values and beliefs, which defined my true self. Similarly, a clear sense of purpose could not be found from my‚ trappings of success. What I do, does not define who I truely am. It could only be based on a deep conviction of my calling and mission in life. As well, my need for significance could not be confused with pride. Significance refers to‚ my sense of‚ self-worth and self-esteem. The belief that we‚ may be‚ created in a perfect image provides a firm basis for personal significance. To love and to be loved are also key ingredients of my personal significance, which came from a variety of sources. Humility comes naturally for me with a spiritual perspective, because meaning fulfillment is primarily a gift, which comes from serving others and my true self. Although pride appears to be close to personal significance, it is very different for me. Pride is egotistic and destructive, and seems always contrary to my true purpose. Pride feeds on elevating me over all others. Eventually, pride leads me to isolation and self-destruction, the natural consequence of overstepping boundaries and stepping on others in order to get ahead. When pride is disguised as a quest for personal significance, it takes me further and further away from my path. That is why failure can be a blessing in disguise. I often say I have failed my way into being a success today. It makes me pause and reflect on what really matters in life.

Love and Respect, Bruce M.