HUMILITY MONTH: DAY 12: “Humility is the only soil in which the graces root; the lack of humility is the sufficient explanation of every defect and failure. Humility is not so much a grace or virtue along with others; it is the root of all, because it alone takes the right attitude before God, and allows Him as God to do all.”― Andrew Murray
When humans (that’s US!) operate out of Ego, they are going to fail in the areas of spiritual principles. We cannot operate in Ego and live a spiritual life. When we live in the fear created by Ego, we are going to always come out in self-interest, self-centeredness, and selfishness.
When we operate from the heart, in spirit, we will be centered correctly. This is going to take at least 30-50 years of practice, in my experience with this journey. This comes not only from my own experience, but in the practice of watching other folks walk this path.
For me, this is the slowest part of the journey so far. To learn to unlearn those character defects that are formed in young childhood, when we are first developing those Ego defenses that create so much trouble for us the rest of our lives. Because this part of human development is so deeply imbedded in our early brain structure, we will never get completely rid of this fear-based thinking.
However, we can, given time, practice, and deep patience, learn to respond rather than react to life and its unfolding. What I have experienced in this realm is ongoing opportunity (thanks to the most generous Universal Power!) to repeat these lessons until we get to the point where they are recognized, and we begin to practice more fully this spiritual principle of humility.
Becoming a more gracious human is the goal. Becoming a more humble human is the goal. I believe, with all my heart, that it is possible to sit in this space, because I have known others who did, and I am in awe of their ability to remain humble under any and all conditions. Others, not so much…but we all have the ability to heal and grow…even me…I love that!