I have been thinking about a very powerful principle. A principle that helps me to find freedom from limitations.
A principle that helps me to step out of limitations into the abundance of possibilities.
In the process, discouragement is disbanded as an illusion of lack.
Apprehension is traded for hope. In the process the conceivable becomes attainable.
Progress rather than perfection becomes a way of life.
The bondage of needing to be perfect is replaced with the pursuit of excellence.
Limitation is traded for hope.
The voice of inadequacy is replaced with the voice of enough.
I no longer have to be right to feel secure.
I am free to say, “I don’t know”.
I am made strong when I am weak.
I am free to take risks because I realize that I can not fail.
I am able to laugh at myself because I know that I am learning.
I am able to let go of outcomes because I know that I will get what I need.
I can trust the process, a loving God and myself because I do not have to know the big picture.
What I Discovered
Humility promotes and empowers the individual through meekness.
Humility sets the individual free to accept themselves — because the individual knows that they do not have to prove their worth or value.
Humility lavishes the individual with hope because the individual knows that possibilities exist.
Humility encourages learning because the individual realizes that they do not have to already know everything.
Humility encourages and sets the stage for learning curves.
Humility breeds and brings about security because the individual knows that they can trust the process, a loving God and themselves.
Humility encourages the individual to let go of that which is out of their control and to trust the process.
Humility motivates the individual to ask for help because the individual realizes that they do not have to lean on their own understanding or resources.
Humility empowers hope — through trust — because the individual knows that more will be revealed.
Humility seeks to set the individual free because the individual knows that they can practice easy does it.
Humility motivates the individual to take risks because there is no threat of reprisal.
Humility encourages the individual to succeed, while at the same time cheerleading their efforts.
Humility celebrates the individual as a work in progress.
Humility teaches the individual to stay in the moment, to enjoy the process, to do the footwork and to let go of the outcomes.
Humility reinforces self-esteem, self-respect, and self-worth.
Humility does not seek justification.
Humility does not disparage, minimize or marginalize.
Humility does not condescend.
Humility is free of contempt.
Humility is patient and kind.
Humility champions and supports the individual.
Humility readies the individual for service.
Humility empowers with wisdom.
Humility gently reveals power through change.
Humility teaches the individual that they are on a journey.
Humility teaches the individual that on that journey.
Humility reveals that the process is more important than the destination.
Humility teaches the individual that — with seeming serendipity — they are being led in the direction of their destiny.
Humility is different than humiliation.
Humiliation scorns the individual.
Humiliation’s motive is to control and limit.
Humiliation undermines self-esteem, self- respect and self-value.
Humiliation stymies creative expression.
Humiliation demands justification.
Humiliation seeks to disparage, minimize and marginalize the individual — at their very core.
Humiliation promotes fear and insecurity.
Humiliation undermines enthusiasm and motivation.
Humiliation promotes fear and anxiety.
Humiliation cripples initiative.
Humiliation squashes hope.
My Experience and What I Learned
Prior to understanding the difference between humility and humiliation I berated myself on a daily basis.
I believed that I was the problem and thus deserved to be victimized and humiliated by life and the people in my world.
Consequently, I felt trapped by the voice of criticism and the clamoring of shame.
My efforts to be enough were frequently chided as inadequate.
Consequently, I developed insecurity, low self-esteem, and low self-worth.
I did not believe that I made mistakes, but that I was a mistake.
At the core of my being, humiliation chided me as inadequate and unlovable.
My attempts to quiet the voice of humiliation — shame and criticism — only seemed to reinforce the impact that humiliation had on my life.
Unrealistic expectations kept me anxious and depressed.
Humiliation reinforced the belief that I could not do enough to be enough.
Humiliation inhibited my being through intimidation.
Humiliation demanded that I be perfect.
Humiliation hindered my ability to find peace.
Peace with other people and peace with myself.
Humiliation, rather than humility subsequently reinforced my sense of shame and feelings of inadequacy.
Humiliation distorted my perceptions and held me captive to the belief that who I was and what I had to contribute in life did not matter.
Because of my distorted perceptions — prior to understanding the distinction between humility and humiliation — I could not take the risk to be humble.
Humiliation led me to believe that I needed to be hyper-vigilant.
Humiliation led me to believe that I needed to stay on guard.
Humility on the Other hand Taught Me
With time and through my recovery process I came to understand that humility validates and heralds my best efforts as good enough for today.
Through learning how to trust the processs and continuing to trust the process — instead of trying to control the process — humility has been able to encourage me to do the footwork.
To do the footwork and then to let go of the outcomes.
Through maintaining humility, I am able to revel in what I am experiencing in the now — without a fear of reprisal.
As I let go of my need to justify, answer and defend who I am — I am able to be.
As I am able to be I am free to create without the threat of being criticized or shamed for my efforts.
Consequently, I am able to focus on excellence — instead of striving to be perfect — with each new day.
In the pursuit of excellence, I no longer need to listen to the voice of humiliation or be humiliated by my efforts.
Consequently, I can rest through my efforts and live beyond my limitations because I do not have to focus on my limitations.
Humility allows me to accept who I am, where I am at today, instead of judging my efforts.
Humility allows me to learn from my experience — rather than judging my experiences.
Humility empowers my perspective and motivates me to learn from my circumstances.
Humility gives me the freedom to be who I am, where I am…
Humility releases me to live beyond my limitations because I do not have to depend on my own resources.
Humility teaches me to stay in the moment.
Humility helps me to find my center.
Humility teaches me to trust the process, a loving God and myself.
In July 2009 I wrote the above article and divided the article into 4 Parts. In the event that you would like to read the article in Parts, click on the below links.
To Live Beyond Limitations Through Humility Part 1 of 4
To Live Beyond Limitations Through Humility Part 2 of 4
To Live Beyond Limitations Through Humility Part 3 of 4
To Live Beyond Limitations through Humility Part 4 of 4
Video Presentation of the Article Series
To offer the information to individuals who learn through watching and listening, I have created a video presentation of Part 1 and Part 2. Click on the below link to watch and listen to the article
To Live Beyond Limitations through Humility Part 1 and Part 2 Video Presentation
To offer the information to individuals who learn through watching and listening. I have created a video presentation of Part 3 and Part 4. Click on the below link to watch and listen to the article.
To Live Beyond Limitations Through Humility Part 3 and Part 4 Video Presentation
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