Being Humble..

Being Humble…

By Manish Singh

We all must have heard people say, "I am a very humble and kind person."

Imagine a highly poisonous king cobra crawling on the ground. All of a sudden, a person accidentally steps on it. Instinctively, the cobra is capable of biting that person. Yet, it chooses not to bite and simply crawls away to safety.

Now imagine a water snake, which is non-poisonous, in the same situation. It also chooses not to bite and moves on. Later, the water snake claims that it is very kind and humble.

Now think for a moment: whose humility carries greater weight?

True humility is closely tied to power. If someone possesses the power to hurt, destroy, or retaliate, yet consciously chooses not to exercise that power because they understand the consequences of their actions, that is genuine humility and kindness.

This does not mean that the water snake is not humble. However, even if it bites, little harm would result, and in some situations, it might even endanger itself. Therefore, its restraint does not carry the same significance.

So, if you truly wish to be humble, do not misuse your power, capabilities, or authority. Practice empathy. In today's world, empathy is one of the greatest virtues. Sometimes, silence is the best response.

If you believe that you are powerful enough to act without fear of consequences, then choose compassion instead. The real test of character is not whether you have the ability to harm, but whether you possess the wisdom and self-control not to. 

You know who you are, and you are well acquainted with your own capabilities. You do not need validation or recognition from others to prove your worth. Some may mistake this attitude for ego or excessive self-esteem, but forgiveness and the ability to let things go are not signs of weakness; they are expressions of true strength.

Yes, if someone were to step on the cobra again intentionally, the cobra would undoubtedly protect itself and take action. Humility does not mean becoming powerless or allowing others to exploit you. It means having the wisdom to distinguish between what deserves a response and what deserves grace.

Last but not least, respect others. Value their abilities, their time, and their position; whether they seem less important to you, less capable, different in gender, or hold a status different from your own. Every individual deserves dignity.

Believe me, if you live by these principles, you will become a safe haven for those around you. You will elevate the decorum of your community to greater heights, and you will stand as a true paragon of humility.

After all, humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less while never forgetting your own strength.

"The strongest person is not the one who can overpower others, but the one who has power over oneself." 

Thanks for reading…