Practicing Humility

Humility is one of the most crucial qualities you can develop in both your personal and professional life as you practice mussar. Being humble enables you to be open-minded, learn from your mistakes, and appreciate others. It also helps you understand your place in the world. A key component of success is humility. The significance of humility and practical ways to live it out is what we will talk about. A key quality that people need to show is humility. Being modest and humble, not boasting about your achievements and abilities, and acknowledging your position and value in a world larger than yourself, are all examples of this character. One of the seven virtues is humility, which stands in stark contrast to pride, which is frequently seen as the most serious of the seven deadly sins. Due to the fact that it is simple to prioritize and enjoy oneself at the expense of others, humility can be a highly sought-after virtue when practicing mussar. It is evident in the way society functions now, where social media and the Internet highlight the importance of self-worth that we need humility more than ever before.

To be humble, you must humble yourself and stop considering others to be less capable and important than you. Humility isn't about minimizing your abilities and knowledge, unlike what some people may think. Rather, humility is about accepting individuals for who they are and their value in society, without exaggerating them. It also entails collaborating with others and not always thinking about yourself. It's about embracing your identity, your abilities, and the ways in which these factors impact the greater good.

Since it's simple to let our ego take control and start bragging about ourselves, practicing humility can be difficult. You can try the following exercises to help you become a more humble person and practice mindfulness to become more conscious of your thoughts and actions as you practice mussar.

1. Recognize That There is Always Someone Better Than You

It can be fiercely competitive in life. When we are good at anything, it means we can accomplish well and use that skill to benefit others as well as ourselves. We like to believe we are the best at anything, but occasionally we can go too far. When someone is more skilled than you, you could become self-conscious, which could result in a competition where your objective is to outsmart them rather than improve yourself. In actuality, there will always be a better person than you, and even if you are the best in your profession right now, someone else may surpass your record at some point. Therefore, it's better to consider what you can accomplish with your skills and how you can use your knowledge to help others. We will all fit a niche that can help others without being the best, even though not everyone can be the best at everything.

2. Don’t Brag

Exaggerating our accomplishments, flaunting our belongings, and placing too much emphasis on them are all examples of bragging. Even if it isn't about them, it might take the shape of discussing yourself and your achievements. If you enjoy boasting, you might also purchase or do something to flaunt what you have done. Being modest entails minimizing or eliminating incidents of boasting from your life. When you boast, it may be a sign of insecurity and a lack of approval from other people. On the other hand, you won't need to boast if you have a strong sense of self-worth and confidence in your skills. Therefore, rather than doing things for the sake of boasting or showing off, it is preferable to concentrate on doing what you can and what important to you.

3. Admit Your Mistakes

Those who are truly modest are able to own up to their faults when they happen. When they do something wrong or hurt someone, they also know how to apologize. One becomes humble as a result of these things. It demonstrates that they treat people equally and are not superior to them. Since no one is flawless, errors and failures are inevitable. We have to acknowledge this fact and be prepared to apologize when necessary, particularly when we are aware of our own guilt.

4. Seek Help From Others

Some tasks in life can be difficult to complete on your alone and call for assistance from others. However, some people find it difficult to ask for assistance from others. Pride is one factor that makes asking for assistance difficult. Although one may believe they can manage everything, some jobs actually call for collaboration and assistance from others. A humble attitude recognizes when assistance is needed and requests it. One person can only accomplish so much.

5. Acknowledge Others

People require gratitude. Appreciation gives you a sense of belonging, boosts your self-esteem, and makes you believe that your actions are worthwhile. It's common to experience joy when you receive compliments. And admiration is something that extends outside oneself when we talk about it. The capacity to value other people is a component of humility. Where credit is due, you give it. Without the efforts of others, our jobs might not go successfully. Whatever you have or are doing at the moment could be directly or indirectly the result of someone from somewhere else in the world. Therefore, give credit to those who may have contributed to your current situation. They will be grateful and pleased to know they are making a positive impact on other people.

6. Practice Gratitude

Another indication of humility is having gratitude for what you have. It demonstrates your ability to be content with life and your appreciation for what you now have. You appreciate everything around you, particularly the individuals that are there for you. Being grateful reduces greed and the want to keep accumulating more material belongings or to rise above your current circumstances. You learn to be content with what you have while being mindful of your limitations and without going overboard.

7. Do Acts of Kindness

Being helpful to others can make you more modest. They enable you to appreciate other people and their experiences in comparison to your own. You might come to appreciate what you have and discover that you are more fortunate than you may know. Volunteering, making a donation, lending a helping hand, or just refraining from actions that could cause harm to others are examples of acts of kindness.

8. Show Others Respect

Just because they are entitled, no one should elevate themselves above others and believe they can do whatever they want. Since we are all human, everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and equality. Nonetheless, some people who achieve positions of authority—like becoming the head of a company or a law enforcement official—may misuse their position and regard others as inferior. A person should not abuse their position in society. Being humble is not allowing titles or positions of authority to control you and make you feel entitled to them. Treating others properly is one way to demonstrate respect, which is crucial.

Life is Better When You Practice Humility

Being humble improves your quality of life and is very important when practicing mussar. Being humble is important because it can make you more conscious of the environment around you and enhances your life. Because you understand how to put other people's needs first and back down from battles and disputes that aren't worth it, you will have less conflicts. Additionally, you learn more since you are able to listen to others and ask for assistance when you are unsure of how to proceed. Being humble broadens your relevance to include others in your life and reduces your concentration on yourself alone. A person who practices humility will have great general health and build meaningful relationships with others because they consider others as unique individuals who contribute to their identity and abilities in this world.