The Privilege of Humility
“Being humble means recognizing that we are not on earth to see how important we can become, but to see how much difference we can make in the lives of others.”
-Gordon B Hinckley
Humility, according to the dictionary, is the act of being humble, the act of not thinking yourself better than others, not proud. I start this post off with this simple concept and definition for a reason, I recently had an opportunity to participate in an activity that gave me an incredible dose of humility. This past weekend was the bi-annual women’s retreat by the organization Hearts of Beauty, an organization that is with the sole purpose of building women up in every possible way. This weekend of women helping women empower themselves is full of different activities that are designed to give confidence, strengthen bonds of friendship, and heal the pains and the hurts brought about loved ones through the act of forgiveness. It was this last aspect of the retreat I (and other men) had the privilege of participating in.
Emotional pain is a real thing that we all, as humanity, have felt at one point or another and will more than likely feel again in the future. Emotional pain can be a fleeting moment or it can leave a deep scar on our soul and feel like a heavy weight that is too much to throw off. There are some types of emotional pain that we should confront but are too afraid to dig up that pain and confront it alone and there is emotional pain that fills us with so much shame we choose to just keep it hidden and hope it will just go away. Many of you have heard the expression (from our British cousins) to just keep a stiff upper lip…to keep calm and carry on. And for the most part, I think they have the right idea, just keep moving forward with face front. A friend once told me when I was having a rough go at things to keep looking forward because you couldn’t see where you were going if you kept looking back at things from the past. How true she was! Having said all this, the reality is that emotional pain is like slow toxins that build up inside the system and starts to affect how one views the world. If left unattended, emotional pain can suck the very joy and positive life force from our being replacing it with bitterness and anger. The Hearts of Beauty program has an instrument that is designed to help women release their pain and face their emotional demons in a safe environment where real healing from their pain can begin. It was within this part of the program in which I had the humbling privilege to stand before these women and ask their forgiveness on behalf of those who have wronged them and caused them pain.
It was a humbling experience, it was a moving experience, it was a liberating experience and if asked to do it again, I would without thinking twice. In reading a letter of apology that was prewritten as part of the program, I didn’t have to think about what I needed to say, the letter said it all and to see the participants who received release from their pain was so powerful, speech fails to capture the essence of it. We are all called upon to encourage each other and lift each other up in all circumstances, not only is this a biblical principle but it should just be a principle of a good life lived. I encourage you to visit their website heartsofbeauty.org or visit them on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hobcincinnati/timeline and see what they are all about. If you or a loved one feels like this might be an activity you would like to be involved with, you can contact Hearts of Beauty on their Facebook page and feel free to share this post with all your friends, you never know who you might touch.
I thank you for taking the time to read today and as always, if you have and questions or thoughts, please feel free to email me at wmreid@bhcshealth.com As you go forward this week, please remember to take care of yourself and each other, remember, we’re all in this together.
Wm Reid
Best Home Care Services
325 N Eastern Ave
Connersville, IN 47331
765-827-9833
wmreid@bhcshealth.com