Humility And Gratitude
Денис Окунев
Showing gratitude is a discipline of humility. Humility is both an attitude and a discipline, and it is an attitude that is only formed out of discipline. Humbling ourselves to show gratitude reminds us that we cannot do life alone. Everyone wants to feel validated in their accomplishments as well as their struggles. Being humble enough to express thankfulness to a friend who is there in a hard time or to express gratitude for a compliment after a public speaking venture forces us to take the spotlight off of us. It forces us to focus on how great they are for seeing our struggles or talents.
While there are different causes of happiness, humility and gratitude are sure ways to bring about more happiness, as they prevent us from taking anything for granted. (Because, when you take stuff for granted, you become blind to the happiness you do have.)
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While often discussed separately, the interplay between these qualities creates a synergistic effect, enriching our experiences and allowing for emotional balance. This beautiful relationship also paves the way for a deeper connection with others and a more profound understanding of our shared humanity. Join me in exploring the link between these virtues to unlock a more profound individual and collective existence.
Beyond its impact on our emotional health, gratitude also plays a crucial role in strengthening our relationships with others. By expressing appreciation for the kindness and support we receive, we deepen our connections, foster a sense of belonging, and create a positive feedback loop that encourages continued care and understanding.
As the power of gratitude illuminates the many blessings that enrich our lives, we find ourselves standing at the threshold of a deeper and more profound understanding of our place in the world. It is here that humility, a virtue often overshadowed by its more vocal counterparts, takes center stage, inviting us to embrace an honest and balanced perspective of our strengths and limitations.
Far from being a sign of weakness, humility serves as a catalyst for personal growth, cultivating self-awareness, empathy, and open-mindedness. In this intricate dance of gratitude and humility, we discover a harmonious interplay that enhances our well-being and encourages us to grow and evolve, unlocking the full potential of our authentic selves.
Humility, often misunderstood as self-deprecation or weakness, is, in fact, a vital component of personal growth and authentic living. A humble individual is self-aware, recognizing their own strengths and limitations without succumbing to arrogance or excessive self-criticism. This balanced perspective enables personal growth, facilitating the ability to learn from mistakes, accept constructive feedback, and adapt to new situations.
Conversely, humility deepens our capacity for gratitude, as it positions us to recognize the gifts and kindnesses that might otherwise go unnoticed. When we approach life with an open heart and a humble mind, we are more likely to appreciate the simple pleasures, the beauty of nature, and the wisdom of those around us.
1- Journaling: Set aside a few minutes each day to write down three to five things we are grateful for, no matter how big or small. This daily practice helps train our minds to focus on the positive aspects of our life and builds a habit of gratitude.
3- Reflect on the Journey: Spend some time contemplating the web of relationships, events, and circumstances that have contributed to your current situation. Recognize the countless individuals and factors that have played a role in your life, and express gratitude for their impact.
4- Acknowledge Strengths & Limitations: Practice humility by honestly assessing your strengths and areas for growth. This self-awareness allows you to identify opportunities for personal development and will enable you to empathize with others as you recognize that everyone has unique strengths and weaknesses.
6- Embrace Diverse Perspectives: Actively engage with people from different backgrounds, cultures, and belief systems. Listen to their stories and viewpoints with an open mind and a humble heart, recognizing that your perspective is just one thread in the world of human experience.
7- Practice Self-Compassion: Treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding you would offer a friend in moments of self-doubt or when faced with setbacks. Acknowledge that we are all imperfect beings on a journey of growth and embrace the humility that comes with this understanding.
By incorporating these practices into your daily life, you can experience the incredible impact of gratitude and humility, embarking on a transformative journey that enriches your life, relationships, and understanding of the world around you. As you take these intentional steps, you unlock the key to a more fulfilling, authentic, and happy existence.
Together, gratitude and humility create a sense of emotional equilibrium as they counteract the pitfalls of excessive self-focus and unwarranted self-deprecation. This balanced perspective enables us to embrace the full spectrum of human experience, savoring the joys, learning from the challenges, and remaining grounded in the face of success or adversity.
- Thanks!: How Practicing Gratitude Can Make You Happier by Robert Emmons: This book shares scientific proof of how gratitude can enhance one's life, providing tools and strategies to cultivate this practice.
- One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp: This book encourages readers to embrace gratitude in everyday life, illuminating the countless blessings found in ordinary moments.
- Humilitas: A Lost Key to Life, Love, and Leadership by John Dickson: This work promotes the value of humility in leadership roles, arguing it to be a key component of a successful and fulfilling life.
- Radical Gratitude: Discovering Joy through Everyday Thankfulness by Ellen Vaughn: Vaughn encourages readers to find joy in the mundane and ordinary through expressing gratitude.
- The Gratitude Project: How the Science of Thankfulness Can Rewire Our Brains for Resilience, Optimism, and the Greater Good by Jeremy Adam Smith, Kira M. Newman, et al.: The authors go into the science behind gratitude and how it can positively influence our mental and physical health
In this sense then, humility is the deterrent to the brash cockiness that thinks it knows all the answers. One of the characteristics of an effective leader is that he/she is able to selectively and judiciously reveal his/her weaknesses. Such humility serves to make the person more approachable.
One of the most underused motivation strategies used by leaders is appreciation, another manifestation of gratitude. How to make everyone a hero without negating a performance evaluation system or trivializing praise is a key skill leaders need to acquire. Often leaders spend so much time focusing on what is wrong with a situation that they forget that the genuine celebration of a person or a team makes is one factor that makes people go to work excited about their goals and willing to persevere during the difficult times.
One of the fundamental qualities invariably found in a grateful person is humility. Gratitude is the overflow of a humble heart, just as surely as an ungrateful, complaining spirit flows out of a proud heart.
But when we choose to humble ourselves, as we are exhorted in James 4, God draws near to us and pours His grace into our lives. His Spirit does a cleansing, purifying work in our hearts; gives us victory over the noisy, demanding tyrant of self; and enables us to be thankful people, even in the midst of challenging circumstances.
To Urlacher, it was always about his teammates and his team, his family, friends, coaches and co-workers. A humble superstar, he insisted on sharing the spotlight rather than basking in it alone. That's how it was throughout Urlacher's 13-year NFL career, which he spent entirely with the Bears.
Given his unselfishness and humility, it's no surprise that Urlacher spent the day of his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame not celebrating his greatness but honoring those who helped him reach the pinnacle of the sport.
"It's typical Brian," said team chairman George H. McCaskey "that in the parade when he could have had all the attention focused on himself, he was wearing a Walter Payton jersey, saluting the greatest player of all time and tipping his cap to all those that came before him."
It continued Saturday night when Urlacher spent most of his 20-minute induction speech thanking his family, friends and former teammates and coaches for helping him become the 28th member of the Bears organization to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame.
"Today is not really about me or what I was able to do on the football field," Urlacher said. "I'm primarily here tonight to pay respect to the men and women who have made this all possible, and I honor them for the impact they've had on my life."
"I want you to know you're both like a father to me and a brother," Urlacher said. "You're my favorite coach of all time. You not only made me a better football player but a better man. You and your wife, Nancy, are impeccable role models for me and I strive to be as good a parent to my children as you and Nancy are to yours."
Urlacher followed by mentioning several former teammates. He called safety Mike Brown "the smartest football player I've ever been on the field with," said that fellow linebacker Lance Briggs "elevated not only my game but the entire defense," complimented cornerback Charles Tillman on his ability to force fumbles even when opponents knew that's exactly what he was trying to do, and described defensive end Alex Brown as "one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet" and "also a hell of a football player as well."
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