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StrawberryJam
Guest
If I believe I will be fertilizer for the grass after I die if buried, would that be an overestimation of my value?
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Psychotheosophy
Guest
You ask really good questions.
Pride is trusting oneself over The Principle of Value,
(Goodness, Happiness, Existence, Unity, Perfection, Love, Life, God).
Humility is trusting The Principle of Value over oneself.
We can not be perfectly happy by our own abilities,
Yet we naturally desire Perfect Happiness.
Humility leads us from pride to penitence,
Penitence leads us to Perfect Happiness.
T
Tiffany_M_S
Guest
So that, when we fall from grace, we aren’t hit so hard, and it doesn’t hurt so bad. When a proud man falls from his pedestal, it breaks him. However, when it is the humble man, he just picks himself up, dusts himself off, and walks on by.
This is the reason God wants us to be humble: so that we don’t hurt ourselves while we’re in the process of making mistakes.
It’s bad enough that we make mistakes as it is. To feel unnecessary pain because of them is even worse. In my opinion, God only wants us to feel enough pain to know not to “do that” again, not to send us to the spiritual ER with a “fractured skull” and “brain damage”.
This is the reason God wants us to be humble: so that we don’t hurt ourselves while we’re in the process of making mistakes.
It’s bad enough that we make mistakes as it is. To feel unnecessary pain because of them is even worse. In my opinion, God only wants us to feel enough pain to know not to “do that” again, not to send us to the spiritual ER with a “fractured skull” and “brain damage”.
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StrawberryJam
Guest
You make me think harder about things. It gives me a headache, I admit. But, it makes me think and gives me pause. I seek silence and quiet time when I reply to your threads.
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Psychotheosophy
Guest
I’m sorry about that.
Some people who have no faith,
Believe that only,
That which is material,
Is self-evident.
Since I can’t prove faith,
I try to meet people,
Where they’re at.
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StrawberryJam
Guest
Of course I will join you if I ever have belief.
I have been thinking about Russia for some time, thank you for reminding me to think of Russia more often. I can join you in this way.
Sorry I did not express that in earlier replies.
Can we seek humility, or do we gain it? Is seeking it somehow lessening the value or benefit of it?
Or are we either the type that does or is carrying out orders?
Would we still desire such things, even if we did not have an order or obligation to do it?
I have been thinking about Russia for some time, thank you for reminding me to think of Russia more often. I can join you in this way.
Sorry I did not express that in earlier replies.
Can we seek humility, or do we gain it? Is seeking it somehow lessening the value or benefit of it?
Or are we either the type that does or is carrying out orders?
Would we still desire such things, even if we did not have an order or obligation to do it?
T
Tiffany_M_S
Guest
Okay. Let’s break this down:
Question One - Can we seek humility or do we gain it?
Well, in my opinion, it’s a little of both. We gain humility by making mistakes and being called on it. It reminds us how small we are in the grand scheme of things, and that we are not God. After having gained it, we continue to seek to be humble, because, in knowing this, we find respect for all life and surroundings.
An example: a man is rude to a coffee server in a cafe for not making his coffee how he likes it. The owner of the cafe offers to kick him out should he not immediately apologize to his employee. He points out that, not only has the server made it just the way he’s ordered it, but also makes a rude statement regarding the fact that the man is acting like a two-year-old that has had his favorite toy taken away from him. The man is humbled. He also learns to have a little more humility in the future, so that he does not embarrass himself, thus making him a more humble, thus better, man in life. The man seeks humility.
Question Two - Is seeking it somehow lessening the value or benefit of it?
No. God wants us to seek humility so that we “play nice with the other kids” that we inhabit this planet with. I sincerely believe that, while God would love to smother us all with affection, he hates narcissism. When we have humility, it not only enlightens us about the worth of the world around us, but it helps us to understand God a little better. It also helps us to be better people, love our fellow man a little better, and helps us to leave the world a little better than when we entered into it by leaving a positive mark on other people’s lives.
Question Three - Or are we either the type that does or is carrying out orders?
God has a purpose for all his laws. It is so that we may live better lives, and be happier, such as remaining a virgin until you’re married. Some people that don’t do this lose their self worth by the time they find someone that they want to share their life with because they feel that they have abused themselves in such a manner that their worth is no better than a concubine or a prostitute. In essence, they believe that they have turned themselves into a tramp, and it is hard for them to forgive themselves. In essence, it effects their self-esteem, thus damaging the valuable person they are, and this saddens God, because he does not want his children to be in any kind of pain. The ones that save themselves know differently: that sex is one of the many deep and personal expressions of love between a husband and a wife.
When you do not follow God’s will to be humble, you develop some rather negative qualities in your personality, such as narcissism. Because of this, some people may view you as a complete jerk, and you wind up being hurt and lonely, because you drive people away and therefor, nobody likes you. The worst part of it is, most of the time, you don’t know why, nor do you take the time to contemplate your actions. You don’t believe you’ve done anything wrong, therefore, setting a block in front of you, halting your growth until you finally see that all along it was you doing wrong, and not other people.
People who are humble see things differently. They love other people, and they also love themselves. People find them to be more attractive, positive, sensitive to other’s needs, and generally kinder to the rest of the population, thus wanting to befriend them.
Question Four - Would we still desire such things, even if we did not have an order or obligation to do it?
Some people, believe it or not, do. They do it to preserve their marriage and other relationships. They do it for many reasons. Example: a man is hit in the face by another man. Instead of hitting him back, he gets up, and goes back to what he is doing. Other people stand by, watching him, and think, “Wow. This person is strong. He acts with maturity, instead of lowering himself to this other guy’s level. This man is not only a good person, but a better person than the other guy. I think I’ll hang around this man more often, because he is more-so worth my time than his attacker.” Jesus was a prime example of this in many cases.
Question One - Can we seek humility or do we gain it?
Well, in my opinion, it’s a little of both. We gain humility by making mistakes and being called on it. It reminds us how small we are in the grand scheme of things, and that we are not God. After having gained it, we continue to seek to be humble, because, in knowing this, we find respect for all life and surroundings.
An example: a man is rude to a coffee server in a cafe for not making his coffee how he likes it. The owner of the cafe offers to kick him out should he not immediately apologize to his employee. He points out that, not only has the server made it just the way he’s ordered it, but also makes a rude statement regarding the fact that the man is acting like a two-year-old that has had his favorite toy taken away from him. The man is humbled. He also learns to have a little more humility in the future, so that he does not embarrass himself, thus making him a more humble, thus better, man in life. The man seeks humility.
Question Two - Is seeking it somehow lessening the value or benefit of it?
No. God wants us to seek humility so that we “play nice with the other kids” that we inhabit this planet with. I sincerely believe that, while God would love to smother us all with affection, he hates narcissism. When we have humility, it not only enlightens us about the worth of the world around us, but it helps us to understand God a little better. It also helps us to be better people, love our fellow man a little better, and helps us to leave the world a little better than when we entered into it by leaving a positive mark on other people’s lives.
Question Three - Or are we either the type that does or is carrying out orders?
God has a purpose for all his laws. It is so that we may live better lives, and be happier, such as remaining a virgin until you’re married. Some people that don’t do this lose their self worth by the time they find someone that they want to share their life with because they feel that they have abused themselves in such a manner that their worth is no better than a concubine or a prostitute. In essence, they believe that they have turned themselves into a tramp, and it is hard for them to forgive themselves. In essence, it effects their self-esteem, thus damaging the valuable person they are, and this saddens God, because he does not want his children to be in any kind of pain. The ones that save themselves know differently: that sex is one of the many deep and personal expressions of love between a husband and a wife.
When you do not follow God’s will to be humble, you develop some rather negative qualities in your personality, such as narcissism. Because of this, some people may view you as a complete jerk, and you wind up being hurt and lonely, because you drive people away and therefor, nobody likes you. The worst part of it is, most of the time, you don’t know why, nor do you take the time to contemplate your actions. You don’t believe you’ve done anything wrong, therefore, setting a block in front of you, halting your growth until you finally see that all along it was you doing wrong, and not other people.
People who are humble see things differently. They love other people, and they also love themselves. People find them to be more attractive, positive, sensitive to other’s needs, and generally kinder to the rest of the population, thus wanting to befriend them.
Question Four - Would we still desire such things, even if we did not have an order or obligation to do it?
Some people, believe it or not, do. They do it to preserve their marriage and other relationships. They do it for many reasons. Example: a man is hit in the face by another man. Instead of hitting him back, he gets up, and goes back to what he is doing. Other people stand by, watching him, and think, “Wow. This person is strong. He acts with maturity, instead of lowering himself to this other guy’s level. This man is not only a good person, but a better person than the other guy. I think I’ll hang around this man more often, because he is more-so worth my time than his attacker.” Jesus was a prime example of this in many cases.
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fhansen
Guest
We can pray for any good thing, a virtue like humility being one. And it’s one we can never have too much of.
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Psychotheosophy
Guest
Thanks
Humility moderates and restrains the desire between,
Being a good and being Goodness,
Which is a choice.
(Desiring Goodness in Principle is not a choice)
Since humility is a choice,
I’m not sure how
“Carrying out orders”
Is relevant.
No, humility often surprises those who seek it.
For example:
From your post #38,
I now understand in a concrete way that,
When even a person without faith,
Is devoted to the Truth,
It’s evangelizing effects can be magnified.
(Of course this devotion needs to continue after Baptism (the sacrament of faith) as well.)
C
centurionguard
Guest
Besides the Spiritual Classic Saint John of the Cross who spoke frequently about the importance and need to practice Humility which is a gift from God. One of the best resources on Humility in the Catholic Church also comes from the great Spiritual practice and writer of The Imitation of Christ Thomas a Kempis.
In fact Humility is of such great importance in spiritual life that Thomas a Kempis devoted a whole chapter in his book Imitation of Christ which can be downloaded free as an ebook.
See Book Two. The Interior Life leaderu.com/cyber/books/imitation/imitation.html
Nothing can be truly known or sought of God without Humility.
In fact Humility is of such great importance in spiritual life that Thomas a Kempis devoted a whole chapter in his book Imitation of Christ which can be downloaded free as an ebook.
See Book Two. The Interior Life leaderu.com/cyber/books/imitation/imitation.html
Nothing can be truly known or sought of God without Humility.
S
StrawberryJam
Guest
I need to think about this more. I do have to thank the OP for opening up this discussion on this topic, as well as the answers and thoughts of other posters.
I have learned so many things in my visits here, and continue to be open to learning more.
I have learned so many things in my visits here, and continue to be open to learning more.
P
Psychotheosophy
Guest
Maybe I can provide some explanation to,
“Consecrating (devoting) Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.”
All people naturally desire the Truth in Principle.
So,
All people are devoted to the Truth in some way.
Mary brought the Truth incarnate (Jesus) quietly into the world,
As we know naturally desired Principles without reason.
The heart is a concrete symbol for the soul.
Because both are hidden,
And give life (unity),
To the body,
As does Life (Unity, Love, God).
There is the special mother-child union between the hearts of Mary and Jesus,
And when we unite with the heart of Mary, as is Jesus,
We too become adopted sons and daughters of Mary,
And adopted brothers and sisters of Jesus,
And so union with Jesus,
And so union with God.
Within Mary’s heart, she magnifies the Truth:
“My soul magnifies the Lord.” (Luke 1:46)
Her heart is immaculate,
Because she is always happy to chose Happiness over unhappiness:
“and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior” (Luke 1:47)
For she is humble:
“for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden.” (Luke 1:48)
And so we ask, even today, Mary to show us the Way to God (Jesus):
“For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed” (Luke 1:48)
Because she (above all other women) brings the Truth into the world:
“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” (Luke 1:42)
And so we ask her for conversion in the world:
“For he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.” (Luke 1:49)
Luke 1:46-55 is a prayer called “The Magnificat.”
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