The Unsung Superpower: Why Humility Makes You Unstoppable (and a Little Funnier)

Humility isn't thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less, making room for growth and the grace of resilience.

Hold onto your hats, folks, because we're about to embark on a journey, not to the moon or the deepest ocean, but to a far more challenging and ultimately rewarding destination, the land of humility. Now, before you decide to take this as another dusty sermon, let me assure you, this isn't about pretending you're less than you are. This is real talk about the kind of humility that makes you stronger, smarter, and dare I say, a little bit funnier.

Let's face it, we all love to win and allow others to praise us. For my children as an example, it is passing an exam. For some, it may be landing a promotion or finally managing to assemble that piece of furniture without a single leftover screw you ordered on Amazon. That’s a praise worthy feat, if you ask me. In those moments, it's easy for the ego to puff up like a peacock on a caffeine buzz. We start thinking, "Man, I am good. I'm a genius. I can one shot Gojo." That’s a anime reference for my fellow fans. And while a little self-congratulation is perfectly healthy, it's when that internal monologue starts to sound like a one-person fan club with a megaphone that we might be veering into dangerously territory.

I remember once, I was convinced I had discovered the secret to perfectly cooked pasta. Al dente, every time, no guesswork. I even started offering unsolicited advice to bewildered strangers in the grocery store pasta aisle. "To get the noodles just right, added a little salt to the water and test by throwing one at the wall. If it sticks, it’s perfect" Yeah, that was me. Then, one fateful evening, I burnt a pot of water. Not the pasta, mind you, just the water. How do you burn water? I still don't know. But it was a humbling experience, to say the least. My culinary empire crumbled faster than stale Cheetos.

But here's the thing about those little ego-bruisers, they're actually gifts. They're like tiny, annoying little alarm clocks that remind us that we're human. We make mistakes. We don't know everything. And sometimes, we burn water. And in those moments of delightful imperfection, we have a choice. We can either get defensive, blame the stove, blame the water, blame the universe, or we can take a deep breath, chuckle at ourselves, and learn.

This brings us to the real meat and potatoes of humility, especially when life throws a wrench in your perfectly laid plans. Because let's be honest, life will throw wrenches. Sometimes it's a small, manageable wrench, like a flat tire on the way to work. Other times, it's a whole toolbox full of power tools, and you're standing there in the middle of a hurricane wondering where you left your umbrella.

Hard times are the ultimate humility instructors. When you're facing a layoff, a health crisis, a broken heart, or just a really bad day that lasts for a week, all those little ego bubbles tend to pop. Suddenly, you're not so worried about your perfect pasta or your brilliant ideas. You're just trying to put one foot in front of the other.

And this is where the power of true humility kicks in. It's not about being weak or subservient. It's about acknowledging your limitations, understanding that you don't have all the answers, and being open to help, guidance, and new perspectives. It's about having the courage to say, "I don't know," or "I need help," or even, "Wow, I really messed that up."

Think about it. When you're humble, you're more teachable. You're more resilient. You're less likely to get bogged down by pride when you hit a roadblock. Instead of banging your head against a wall, you're more likely to look for a door, or even a window. And sometimes, you just need to sit down, catch your breath, and realize that it’s okay to not be okay for a little while.

James 4:10 says, "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up." This isn't some game of limbo where God demands you shrink yourself. It's an invitation to release the burden of needing to be perfect, of needing to be in control, of needing to have all the answers. When you humbly acknowledge your dependence on something greater than yourself, you create a space for strength to enter.

Overcoming struggles isn't always about brute force or sheer willpower. Sometimes, it's about surrender. It's about letting go of the ego that tells you you should be able to handle everything alone. It's about accepting that some things are beyond your control and finding the wisdom to navigate through them with grace and a healthy dose of self-compassion.

I've been through my own share of struggles, and let me tell you, the moments I tried to use the "I got this" attitude, it usually ended in more frustration. It was when I finally admitted I was struggling, when I asked for help, when I allowed myself to be vulnerable, that the path forward began to clear.

So, the next time you find yourself on a high horse, take a moment to look around. Appreciate the view, but remember how you got there. And if you find yourself face down in the mud, remember that it's okay. Dust yourself off, maybe laugh at the absurdity of it all, and embrace the humility that will lift you up. Because in the grand scheme of things, Rocky Balboa said it best, “It ain't about how hard you hit, it's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward.”