Day 19. Temperance
Elena Agafonova
Many people feel stuck because they aren't sure what they truly want in life. I can help you uncover your genuine passions and purpose, guiding from "I wish I could" to new actions, transforming your life for the better.
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??Please read the descriptions of the exercises and perform them as you wish.?
???After completing the exercises, rate your level of happiness on a scale of 0 to 10.?
If you find that a particular exercise brings you a high level of happiness (8-10), you have likely discovered a key virtue that can bring more meaning and satisfaction to your life.?
Humility and Modesty
The modest man has everything to gain, and the arrogant man everything to lose; for modesty has always to deal with generosity, and arrogance with envy. Antoine Rivarol
?You do not seek the spotlight, preferring to let your accomplishments speak for themselves. You do not regard yourself as special, and others recognize and value your modesty. You are unpretentious. Humble people see their personal aspirations, victories, and defeats as pretty unimportant. In the larger scheme of things, what you have accomplished or suffered does not amount to much. The modesty that follows from these beliefs is not just a display, but rather a window into your being? M. Seligman.
Mini-test:
A: ?I change the subject when people pay me compliments.
Very much like me - 5
Like me - 4
Neutral - 3
Unlike me - 2
Very much unlike me - 1
B: I often talk about my accomplishments.
Very much like me - 1
Like me - 2
Neutral - 3
Unlike me - 4
Very much unlike me - 5
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Total your score for these two items. This is your humility score ___
Modesty has always been considered a strength rather than a weakness, although it is perceived differently in modern Western society. In today's world, displaying high ambitions, exceptional achievements, and recognition of these achievements is highly valued. However, when we meet truly humble people, we tend to relax, and our hearts beat more calmly, and the inner tension is suddenly released. If you want to experience this for yourself, try the following exercises. While modesty may not be your calling card for tomorrow, you will feel more comfortable opening up as you are and gradually develop this quality.
So, let's start practicing!
Learning from Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi is known throughout the world as an example of ?quiet leadership?. He embodied the principles of non-violence and earned the title of ?great soul? as the leader of the national liberation movement in India. His entire life journey could be described as a ?humble self-discovery?. He once said a great line,
“I claim to be a simple individual liable to err like any other fellow mortal. I own, however, that I have humility enough to confess my errors and to retrace my steps.”
When things don't work out for us, whether it is at work or in a relationship, we tend to feel a drop in our self-esteem. We associate our failures with a lack of worth. However, humble people can withstand failure or criticism because they base their self-worth on intrinsic values rather than external circumstances.
So the next time you fail at a task or don't meet someone else's expectations, remember that you are human like the rest of us. Everyone makes mistakes, but it takes humility to admit them and start over.
Mindfulness and self-compassion
According to research humble people have a realistic understanding of themselves, including their strengths and weaknesses. This perception helps them identify areas for personal growth.
Practicing mindfulness can increase our self-awareness by allowing us to observe thoughts and emotions without judgment.
The more aware we are of our inner life, the easier it is for us to see what unhealthy beliefs and actions may be limiting and holding us back.?
It's important to be kind and compassionate to ourselves.
Once we recognize what needs to change, we can begin the process of transformation with more clarity. As the saying goes, ?If you're in a dark room, don't beat the darkness with a stick. Rather, turn on the light.?
Nelson Mandela also said it beautifully about transformation and humility,
?The first thing is to be honest with yourself. You can never have an impact on society if you have not changed yourself… Great peacemakers are all people of integrity, of honesty, and humility?.
If you are looking for individual support on your journey towards a happier life, I would be glad to help. You can book a free chemistry session now!?