What do you do to practice humility?

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Pug said:
How do we learn not to be so embarrassed by embarrassing things or by our failings?

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grow older,
they cut us seniors a lot of slack
it takes a while but finally you realize no one is paying any attention to what you do or say anyhow, so don’t sweat it.

I am not really speaking facetiously in my posts, just using a bit of humor to make a point that humility is learned in facing the ordinary commonplaces of daily life, Rule of St. Benedict is best guide for me. in fact it used to be my signature a while back
5 of obedience
the first degree of humility is obedience without delay. foster this attitude in response to anyone who has legitimate authority over you and obey immediately, without grumbling any order that is not sinful.

the entire chapter 7 is on humility
will find the on-line link which is around here someplace because I posted not to long ago

here is the link to the whole site osb.org/rb/index.html#English
of on-line resources, so you can pick the format that works best for you to read the entire Rule

here is the link for Chapter 7 on Humility
osb.org/rb/text/rbejms3.html#7
 
puzzleannie said:
grow older,
they cut us seniors a lot of slack
it takes a while but finally you realize no one is paying any attention to what you do or say anyhow, so don’t sweat it.
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I just paid attention to you, though, puzzleannie. So, sometimes they listen. 😃 I think humor helps with humility, too. Maybe that’s what you meant by saying humor helps connect you to the ordinary. Humor connects me to the ordinary. Or, maybe it connects me to the real, and not the prideful imaginings I might be fancying at the moment.

I appreciate the link to the rule of st. Benedict. I’ve got it set now on a bookmark to read in a few pieces.
 
What a great thread topic!

I try to pay attention to the number of times I reference myself in a conversation, and stop doing it so much. If I am suffering, I try to do so quietly. There is a certain person in my life who likes to go on endlessly about himself/herself, and I’ve decided to quit resenting that and just try to accept it graciously. I’m also attempting to think much more of the needs of others than my own.

A big temptation on the forums, I have to say, is to re-read my own posts and think how satisfied I am with them. Sometimes I have to type something out and leave the thread, so as not to grow smug.

It’s a painful process, getting rid of pride. C.S. Lewis said that man ought never to make humility his goal, lest one day he think he’s achieved it. 😉
 
quiet52 said:
Just a thought to share – remember God sometimes answers our prayers in ways we don’t like. 🙂
A few years ago I made a decision to pray in earnest for patience. I was so lacking in it. Once I began to pray for this virtue, God seemed relentless – I had one trial after another after another. I’ll never be perfectly patient, but after so many opportunities to learn I’m much better.
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I’ve had a similar experience and think it may be true that if you pray for a certain virtue, you are sent many opportunities to practice it! I’ve learned not only do you receive the trials, but also the grace to make the more patient or humble choice.

I’ve also learned the more you practice the virtues, the less that a “trial” appears to be a trial. Over time you find yourself making the better choice with less effort and suffering, and that eventually choosing to imitate Christ brings peace and joy.

There is such freedom in learning to live the beatitudes. When you are less attached to the world and approval of others, then things that would otherwise hurt your pride, anger you or annoy you no longer have the power to steal your peace.
 
Dear Kera -
I’m not saying there aren’t “cradle Catholics” who don’t strive for humility…But - leave it to a convert - a new Catholic - to open the shades and point out where we are lacking. Without you I don’t know when this thought would occur to me (though I’m sure it would eventually)…This is not to puff up your pride 😉 but thank you for reminding us what it’s all about !
Welcome to Holy Mother the Church ! May you find many blessings in practicing your Catholic Faith.
 
cheeto1 said:
Thanks, I’m going to do it, without delay…:o
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Puzzleannie, you said the first degree of humility is obedience
without delay.

Has anyone tried this? I never realized how much I make
people wait when it really isn’t necessary! I am failing at this
at least 10 times a day:(

But…if I never tried it, I would never know how much work I
have ahead of me!

Just in case I ever master this first degree…
what is the second degree?:hmmm:
 
tessi said:
Obedience to whom? What do you do when you have nobody to tell you what to do?
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The duty of the moment - the thing that falls to hand that needs to be done, at this particular time.

Even if you don’t have a boss, and even if you don’t have a family, or clients, you still have the little duties of each day that need to get done, even though there is nobody telling you to do them.
 
Perhaps you are hearing a prompting to consider becoming a Third Order Carmelite…
 
tessi said:
Obedience to whom? What do you do when you have nobody to tell you what to do?/QUOTE

Hi Tessi, I understand this to mean obedience to God. Following His commandments. Thy will be done.
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Kera said:
I realize this is sort of a strange request and I hope it makes sense when I finish…But, I am wondering what to do to build character traits such as humility in myself. I am asking because of a situation at work where I realized that I was being very prideful. I want to change that, but since I was not brought up with any religion (I have only been Catholic for a year.) I am not exactly sure how to go about it. I was raised by my single father who never taught me any of these things. (I know that sounds strange, but it’s true.) So, long story longer…I am looking for specific things I can do, places to go, people to see, books to read, scriptures to study, etc… that will help me to build humility in myself.

PS: Do you think admitting to all of you that I am prideful shows humility? LOL Just kidding…😉
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I would read Story of a Soul by St. Therese for ideas (simple ones) and attitude (it shouldn’t be hard, but I sure find that getting past my pride is a constant uphill battle). Pray for humility. Don’t give up when you goof (and you will, even St. Therese says she goofed all the time). Essentially, do what is against our culture and think of how things feel to others first. Also, pray “to” St. Therese for help in her little way.
 
There’s only ONE way to achieve humility: by graciously accepting being humiliatied.

Sorry, but there’s no short cut.
 
water said:
  • For places to go: I’d say the Nursing Home. Those elderly can give you a hint of your future. How powerful, rich, smart, strong, fast one used to be, when he becomes older, he will become like a child again relying on others.
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I very much agree. I think age is one of the most humbling experiences one can have. It is right up there with death as the great leveler.
 
Kera said:
I realize this is sort of a strange request and I hope it makes sense when I finish…But, I am wondering what to do to build character traits such as humility in myself. I am asking because of a situation at work where I realized that I was being very prideful. I want to change that, but since I was not brought up with any religion (I have only been Catholic for a year.) I am not exactly sure how to go about it. I was raised by my single father who never taught me any of these things. (I know that sounds strange, but it’s true.) So, long story longer…I am looking for specific things I can do, places to go, people to see, books to read, scriptures to study, etc… that will help me to build humility in myself.

PS: Do you think admitting to all of you that I am prideful shows humility? LOL Just kidding…😉
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I’m probably too humble for my profession (teaching), but that’s just the way I am. I have a strong aversion to bragging and always have. One of my living creeds is ‘deeds, not words’. I ascribe my successes to Christ, He who guides me through life. My good work is not of my doing, but of His. I let my hard work speak for itself. :coffeeread:
 
tessi said:
Obedience to whom? What do you do when you have nobody to tell you what to do?
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“if you love me you will keep my commandments” says Jesus.
In other words, obedience to whatever commandment, beatitude, virtue applies at this moment, in this time and place, for this task, suffering, action, waiting, or whatever I am called to do at this moment.

hint: it will generally be something boring, mind-numbing, unpleasant, possibly dangerous and dirty, unrewarding, unappreciated, and last on our list of things we would like to be doing at the moment.
 
Think that every person is better than oneself, and if one is tempted to think not for some reason, then think simply that their true goodness is hidden from one. Make it habitual. I think our Blessed Mary MacKillop hit it on the head: if you see a fault in another, then find an excuse for them too.
Always pray for humility in truth.
Barb:)
 
BarbaraTherese said:
Think that every person is better than oneself, and if one is tempted to think not for some reason, then think simply that their true goodness is hidden from one. Make it habitual. I think our Blessed Mary MacKillop hit it on the head: if you see a fault in another, then find an excuse for them too.
Always pray for humility in truth.
Barb:)
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I would rather practice the belief that each and every person deserves to be given the respect and dignity that I myself would want. Love your neighbor AS you yourself want to be loved.
 
I like this bible verse for what BarbaraTherese was talking about:

Philippians 2:3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves.
 
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