Got humility?

DSC_1009-EditI was chatting with someone about  humility the other day.  There is a rather common interpretation of humility floating around that I don't think serves anyone very well.  Most of these interpretations seem to center around not giving ourselves credit, or not claiming that we have some good stuff going on in our lives.

I happen to like this definition of humble, which I got from the dictionary:  "courteously respectful."

Being humble means I am courteously respectful, to myself, to others and to my recovery.  I am respectful of myself when thoughts come in that don't serve.  I don't belittle myself, nor sell myself short.  I take care of myself, physically as well as mentally and spirituality.  I respect others:  I respect their opinions and I respect that they know how to run their own lives, I don't try to control them or manipulate them.  And I respect my recovery.  I faithfully do steps 10 and 11 every day,  If you have been taught to do steps 1, 2 and 3 every day and you have more than two years of recovery, you may want to explore that living this way is rather limiting.  Check out this blog post for more:  http://newthought12steps.com/a-magical-formula-for-successful-living/ .  In my opinion, this way of living is not humble.  It is the other side of that coin of arrogance, the inferiority complex of the ego maniac.  Why do I say two years?  Because the text book of AA calls two years of sobriety "substantial sobriety time," and because the book was written for those who were seeking to get sober.  Steps 1, 2 and 3 are for beginners.  Steps 10 and 11 are for advanced recovery and it is there where the deep richness and the strength and power of the program happen.

Being humble means I claim my good.

I do not believe we can claim those things that don't serve us well, unless we also claim our good.  If we don't take credit for the good, how on earth can we claim responsibility and be empowered enough to change what isn't working....the so called bad?

 

 

You can purchase your copy of the book, in either print or e-version, by going to Amazon.com, and you can subscribe to this blog on the right if you are on a computer, and below if you are on a mobile device.  Subscribing means you get notice of all future blogs, as well as news of book signings and tour schedule!