Sunday musings - October 27, 2024
Anyone in the helping professions - clergy, teacher, health care professional, parent - must be willing to frequently ask themselves two questions:
Do I practice what I teach?
Am I willing to be the student as well as the teacher
In other words, to what extent am I committed to reach toward humility?
One can find many suggestions regarding the nature of humility, but most will agree the characteristics must include an awareness of one’s strengths and limitations; a willingness to learn; an appreciation for one’s privileges, opportunities and luxuries; and a willingness to receive as well as to give.
I would like to believe that I daily ask myself these questions. Usually, I frame the questions in the context of my daily spiritual Intentions. I am acutely aware it is easy for me to get off tract - to be distracted by issues which might seem to be very important now but are not ultimately so.
Most people who know me are aware I am usually self-sufficient in terms of daily activities/daily self-care. I work full time, daily go to the gym, maintain my home, prepare healthy meals and stay socially active. I am in many respects a very privileged white male with access to a decent living, to health care and able to hold on to the illusion I have an endless supply of energy.
For the past three months, some health issuers have forced me to more actively practice humility. Don’t misunderstand me. I am no Pollyanna. I did not welcome illness joyfully as an opportunity to grow spiritually even though I know it is just that. Because of the nature of my work and life dance many were quickly aware of my health issues. Many friends and clients were quick to remind me we are a village. Others have many gifts to share and are happy to do so; reminding me all of us need to trust all our gifts are equally valuable. It is in sharing gifts that we honor our shared humanness and journey. Of course, I would like to report that I found it natural and easy to ask for and accept offers of rides, grocery shopping, laundry and food. Not so. I continue to be a work in progress attempting to live humility with enormous gratitude. I vow to work on accepting help graciously and with a modicum of expressed thank. Perhaps 20 per event is a bit over the top!
Today is another opportunity to honor the fact that worldwide we are a village. We would do well to daily celebrate that reality.
Written October 27, 2024
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
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