How to practice humility in everyday life?

Five proven ways for a happy & humble life

This February Ronit turned 34-year-old. The birthday party was special because this time it was organised by his school friends. Each one present at the party was super happy because they could share a lot, laugh a lot and feel free while doing it. In one of the games, everyone was asked to share their observations and feedback about their classmates. A chair was positioned in the middle around a bonfire. One by one everyone would occupy that chair and listen to their friends’ feedback about them and that too without resisting, defending, or even interrupting.

?After twenty minutes or so it was Rohit’s turn to occupy the designated chair. His friends started pouring their feedback. The feedback was about his arrogance and condescending behaviour. All his friends suggested that Ronit should practice humility and it would bring more success and satisfaction to his life. A week passed by; Ronit kept on thinking about the feedback and the suggestion. Even though Ronit had gracefully accepted the feedback, he was not able to understand how to practice humility in everyday life. Finally, he decided to talk to his mentor, Mr Shirish.

?Shirish patiently listened to everything and asked Ronit to do a reflective written exercise. He handed over an A4 size paper which had one line written in bold on the top; “I am successful in spite of…” Ronit started thinking about it and the next day he brought the paper back to Shirish. Shirish was happy to see Ronit’s response to “I am successful in spite of…” Some of his responses were like; “I am successful in spite of being lazy. I am successful in spite of not being nice to my colleagues. I am successful in spite of not working hard. I am successful in spite of not being highly educated”

Shirish congratulated Ronit and said, “This is the beginning of your journey towards humility. Humility is when you accept your limitations gracefully. Humility is when you become free from your pride and arrogance. Humility is when you know that your success is not entirely your effort; actually, it is because of various external conducive factors. Humility is when you accept that you are successful in spite of so many limitations. So, keep doing this reflective exercise after each achievement and milestone in your life. It will keep you humble and happy.”

?Many of us and our near and dear ones are struggling to be free from pride and arrogance. We often find it difficult to start the journey towards humility.

Here are the five proven ways we can practice humility in our everyday life.

?1.???????Listen more speak less:

?We are born with two ears and one mouth and that suggests we should listen more and speak less. Listening requires empathy and when you are empathetic you are less likely to be arrogant.

?2.??????Judge less and understand more

?Everyone has a story behind the story they usually share. So, think before you judge others based on the story you hear. Try and understand beyond what you hear. Learn to appreciate their journey, learn to appreciate their struggle.

?3.??????Observe & appreciate others’ role in your success

?Your effort is not always enough for success. Often other people contribute to your success directly or indirectly. Learn to acknowledge and appreciate the support you have in your life.

?4.??????Realise your fault & apologise

To err is human and we are not immune to it. We all make mistakes; small and big. Learn to look inward and realise your faults. Once you do so, be quick and be the first one to apologise.

?5.??????Do not brag about yourself & your achievements

?Do not dominate everyday conversations with your success stories. Allow other people to share theirs and be genuinely interested in them. Once you learn to give less importance to your success you will be able to reign your pride and become humble.

Published earlier in the newspaper tabloid "The Desert Trail"