Working on humility?

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aluia17

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I’m trying to be a better person, and I figured out that my worst sin is pride. I’m trying to figure out how I can be more humble, I know it sounds dumb but I need some help. Every time I remind myself not to think prideful thoughts or remember what I’m trying to do, I feel like I’m going around in circles because the very state of reminding myself NOT to be prideful makes me feel self-righteous so I’m really ending up the opposite of where I want to be. I don’t even know where to begin. At the same time (correct me if I’m wrong) it doesn’t seem like total self-abasement is the way to go.
I’m sorry if I seem uneducated, I’m a little new to this.
Is there anyone else who’s had this struggle, or a similar one? What can I do?
 
C. S. Lewis in MERE CHRISTIANITY has some words on this very subject.

Humlity does NOT mean the beautiful thinking themselves ugly, or the clever thinking themselves stupid.

Ad then, there’s only one way of achieving humility: by graciously accepting being humiliated.
 
aluia17 said:
I’m trying to be a better person, and I figured out that my worst sin is pride. I’m trying to figure out how I can be more humble, I know it sounds dumb but I need some help. Every time I remind myself not to think prideful thoughts or remember what I’m trying to do, I feel like I’m going around in circles because the very state of reminding myself NOT to be prideful makes me feel self-righteous so I’m really ending up the opposite of where I want to be. I don’t even know where to begin. At the same time (correct me if I’m wrong) it doesn’t seem like total self-abasement is the way to go.
I’m sorry if I seem uneducated, I’m a little new to this.
Is there anyone else who’s had this struggle, or a similar one? What can I do?
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Hi “aluia” 👋 First, WELCOME to CAF! Your question doesn’t sound dumb, at all. That old struggle with pride, is a common problem for all humans. It’s part of our fallen nature.

I would recommend that you take a few moments, each day… and contemplate Our dear Lord on the Cross. Contemplate His humility, in condescending to become one of us… and then die for us… out of pure love. For me, this has been a very effective method of battling my human pride. God bless. 🙂
 
Mother Teresa gave these rules to her Sisters to help them develop the virtue of humility:
  1. Speak as little as possible about yourself.
  2. Keep busy with your own affairs and not those of others.
  3. Avoid curiosity.
  4. Do not interfere in the affairs of others.
  5. Accept small irritations with good humor.
  6. Do not dwell on the faults of others.
  7. Accept censures even if unmerited.
  8. Give in to the will of others.
  9. Accept insults and injuries.
  10. Accept contempt, being forgotten and disregarded.
  11. Accept injuries and insults.
  12. Be courteous and delicate even when provoked by someone.
  13. Do not seek to be admired and loved.
  14. Do not protect yourself behind your own dignity.
  15. Give in, in discussions, even when you are right.
  16. Always choose the more difficult task.
 
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