“Our ego builds walls to help us survive; yet, they prevent us from accessing what we need the most.”
In my darkest hour, my greatest source of survival was my inner strength, my inner will. I called on that force to guide me, sustain me, and push me forward no matter how much I hurt. I did not realize the physical and mental toll my solitary battle to survive had on me. Worse, I was not aware of all the resources that were attempting to access me and provide comfort, inspiration, love, and support. Because I thought this was my single, solitary journey I created a fortress around my feelings, my pain, and my struggles and sought to fight this battle on my own.
Practicing humility is the simple act of recognizing one cannot and need not face life’s challenges and opportunities alone. There are people who have come into my world for the express purpose of being a resource to me at the time when I needed them. However, I had built such a strong and powerful wall around me, I was not able to accept, appreciate, or even ask for their help.
Practicing humility takes on three behavioral traits:
- Authenticity: The notion of “fake it until you make it” is an ego driven mantra. When I am authentic, I am real and true to myself. I do not need to have the answers, to know what to do next, or know how to fix what is broken. When I do know, I take action. If I don’t know the answers, I am comfortable being authentic and vulnerable enough to ask for help, guidance, and advice.
- Collaboration: I cannot solve any problems or discover the answers to any challenges without the support, guidance, and feedback of others. My life is not about being right, being in control, being in smart, or winning – my life is defined by how effectively I can, in active collaboration with others, discover the solutions to the challenges we face every single day.
- Community: I am relationship driven. Building strong relationships are defined by the strength of my community. The strength of my community is defined by the effectiveness with which I make everyone around me better. In the end, success and accomplishment are measured and defined not by what I did; but, what those around me were able to do as a result of my interaction and engagement with them.
People look for accomplishment in places that call attention to their greatness and their achievements. However, true accomplishment is measured by our ability and willingness to reach out, connect, share, collaborate and inspire. It is in our humility – being openly, honestly vulnerable – that great outcomes are realized.
