Thursday, July 14, 2005

Wisdom and Humility

It's been a strange day today. I woke up this morning exhausted, I think because I've started working out at nights on a regular basis, but around 10:00 I all of a sudden found a fountain of energy and I've been going non-stop since then. My task list here at work has gone well and I managed to squeeze in mid-morning prayer, with midday prayer coming in just a few minutes. It's amazing how prayer can help you get through the day.

I am feeling strangely content today. It's almost as if whatever I end up doing is something that helps me feel as if all is OK today, and that nomatter what happens this day will be a good one.

I appreciate that, because I had a night terror last night which woke me up punching my headboard. In the nightmare my father and I fought and I woke just as I was to punch him in the face...thus my assualt on our bed :). Thankfully, Jillian slept right through my pugilism.

I read this today, and it made me smile, and reminded me of just how smart I think I am sometimes, when really, I ought to be far more humble:

"Let not the wise man glory in his widom, nor the strong man glory in his strength, nor the rich man glory in his riches; but rather, let him who glories, glory in this, that in his prudence he knows me, knows that I, the Lord, bring about kindness, justice and uprightness on the earth; for with such am I pleased, says the Lord." ~ Jeremiah 9: 22-23

On a day like today, when everything seems to be flying along in fantastic colors, I do not want to be that wise man, strong man, or rich man that prides himself on his feats and traits. I would rather be the man who recognizes humility as the greater virtue and place my thanks where it belongs. For me, my appreciation and adoration goes to God. For those of us without faith, our appreciation and love might go to loved ones or spouses or family, but the concept is the same.

We are who we are, not because of what we've made for ourselves, or in what esteem we hold ourselves, or how others even see us, but rather we are who we are thanks to those around us and how they've contributed to our lives and made us the people we've become.

I know I struggle with that humility, true humility to accept that I am nothing special, but that all I have are gifts that I must use as best I can. Do you struggle? Are you overcome by ego? Do you take too much pride in what you do? I know I do all the time. It's funny - no matter how many times I've been burned by pride's flame I still refuse to let go of my ego. Ask my wife, every time I get in trouble, or we get in an argument it is because I've forgotten my humility. How do you remain humble? What tricks or practices do you use?

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Question 70 - Vacations
Where do you like to vacation, and why?

My wife and I have vacationed at a number of places, but I think our favorite vacation was last year. We borrowed a small R/V and drove to Minnesota to see my brother in law. Along the way we stopped to see baseball games in Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Chicago, Detroit, and of course Minneapolis. It was great, as we are both enormous baseball fans!

 
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