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Be Humble
Everything we know and are is because of the great people who have come before us, guided us, and taught us. We stand on the shoulders of our parents, professors, mentors, the hundreds of authors from the books and articles we’ve read: Aldo Leopold, John Muir, Rachel Carson. Their ideas and examples have shaped us…have helped us see further and clearer. We would be nothing without them. |
On this day of pride, I wish to speak of something quite its opposite: Humility. William Ellery Channing, American moralist, Unitarian Clergyman and Author stated that the “the more a person analyzes his inner self, the more insignificant he seems to himself. This is the first lesson of wisdom. Let us be humble, and we will become wise. Let us know our weakness, and it will give us power.”
I once met a simple and kind man from the northeastern part of Brazil. He had overcome many trials and seemed to be unusually happy and successful. I asked him what his secret to success was. He answered with one word: humility. I have often thought of that moment since. The humility to learn, to love, to accept criticism, to forgive, to depend on others. So, how do we obtain this essential virtue? Today, I offer three suggestions…or three things that we must be in order to be humble.
1. BE TEACHABLE. Be a sponge. Soak up knowledge! Value other people’s opinions and advice. Ask questions! Accept constructive criticism and be better because of it. Never go into a situation thinking that you have all the answers…that you know it all. Learn from those who are more experienced. And when you are the one who has the most experience, realize that you still don’t have all the answers. Gandhi teaches us that “it is unwise to be too sure of one’s own wisdom. It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err.”
Never stop learning!
“O be very sure that no man will learn anything at all, unless he first will learn humility.
- Lord Edward Robert Bulwer Lytton, 1st Earl of Lytton ("Owen Meredith")
2. BE REAL. Be the wonderful person you are inside. Don’t focus on trying to be cool or popular or brilliant. Just be yourself! When you need help with something, ask for help. When you’ve made a mistake, admit that you were wrong. When you don’t know something, admit that you don’t know. It wasn't until quite late in life that I discovered how easy it is to say "I don't know!" ~Somerset Maugham (English playwright and short story writer). Recognize your weaknesses and strive to overcome them.
3. BE COMPASSIONATE. We are all equal. All of us have our certain weaknesses and strengths. Never harbor the foolish thought that you’re better than someone else. When this idea of equality is instilled in our minds and hearts, we will be more inclined to treat others with respect, kindness, and genuine love. We will be quick to forgive and quick to say sorry. We will seek to understand others’ viewpoints and backgrounds. We will listen with empathy. Such compassion is so desperately needed in today’s world.
Thich Nhat Hahn, Zen Buddhist monk from Vietnam, was invited to address members of Congress in 2003. In his talk, entitled, “Leading with courage and compassion,” he stated, “In Congress, in city halls, in statehouses, and schools, we need people capable of practicing deep listening and loving speech. Unfortunately, many of us have lost this capacity. To have peace, we must first have understanding, and understanding is not possible without gentle, loving communication.”
There is enough arrogance and pride in this world, we need more humility.
So, my fellow graduates, BE TEACHABLE, BE REAL, BE COMPASSIONATE.
Or in other words, BE HUMBLE.
I wish all of you a bright and happy future. Congratulations and thank you.