BY JEROME VARON
WE HAVE embraced as an inspiration to succeed the need to be self-confident and be sure of ourselves in the process of coexistence in society.
In a sense, this is a booster to the “pride” of every individual caught in the arena of survival and quest for excellence and victory in life.
But left unguarded, pride mutates into arrogance, a quality that many has learned to adopt and admire. Arrogance and audacity creep in the personality when one has succeeded in hurdling the gauntlets towards success and prosperity.
The world today is dominated by people who are self-centered, insatiable in their cravings for importance and recognition. This might be a natural social phenomenon if we follow the writings of Dale Carnegie. Yet, in a world greatly influenced by status symbols resulting from the inventions of top-of-the-line gadgets and lifestyles of the high, the mighty and celebrities, a benchmark has been set in the subconscious of the ordinary humans. And when accomplishing that benchmark becomes a prize one can boast, and as if a right, announce and display to the world.
Humility, definitely, has declined through the years. Seldom do we meet people who remain silent and go on with the usual ways of living in spite of the triumphs and abundant blessings they have been receiving. Instead of trumpeting and showing off what they have, they remain humble, grateful in prayer and continuing to help the less fortunate around them.
Unfortunate indeed, greed and envy have succeeded in pushing back to the corner the virtue of humility in the heart of man.
The pandemic engulfing the world has sent shivers to the consciousness of men. People are groping for the unusual way of living, what has been described as “new normal”. To some extent, the pace of life has slowed down, giving everyone enough time to see other things which have been obscured for a long time.
Some find time to reflect on matters that have been neglected, their relevance almost forgotten in years. The situation we are in is a humbling experience. We are beginning to remember the moral and foundations we were taught in early schools. One such is humility.
Getting back to being normal may be a long way ahead. But perhaps we can get used becoming better than the usual that we’ve been by embracing back the foundational virtues of being simple, good and true.
The Bible is replete with passages reminding us of things we need to do if we wish to continue our relationship with Him. It us the most important matter we need all the time.
“If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)/PN
