"謙虚さは自分をありのままよりも低く見せることではない"

Humility is about being honest with ourselves and others. It’s not about downplaying our skills or achievements. Instead, it means recognizing our true strengths and weaknesses without exaggeration or false modesty.

Think back to when people often misunderstood humility. In historical contexts, particularly in many religious settings, humility was sometimes seen as self-deprecation. For example, in medieval times, many monks took vows of poverty and humility, often equating humility with denying any personal worth or achievement. They might have thought that by saying they were less capable or important, they were being humble. But true humility isn’t about lying or undervaluing yourself—it’s about being real.

Let's bring this into a more relatable, modern context. Imagine you’re at work, and you’ve just completed a big project that was a resounding success. Your boss and peers praise you for your hard work. Now, humility doesn’t mean you brush it off and say, “Oh, it was nothing, anyone could have done it.” That’s not being honest. Instead, humility would be acknowledging the collective effort—saying something like, “Thank you! I worked hard on this, but I couldn’t have done it without the team’s support.”

Let me give you a vivid example. Do you remember how everyone loved Fred Rogers from “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood”? Fred Rogers was genuinely humble. He recognized and accepted the impact he had on children’s television and didn’t pretend his work wasn’t important. He often acknowledged his team and the lessons he learned throughout his life. He was real, and that’s why people felt so connected to him.

To apply this in your life, start by being honest about your abilities. Acknowledge when you’ve done something well, but also recognize the help and support you received. This balance keeps you grounded. Celebrate your wins, but don’t isolate yourself in them. Share credit where it’s due—this fosters a healthy, humble outlook.

Imagine a scenario where you’re volunteering at a local community center. You’ve organized a successful fundraiser that exceeded all expectations. People are showering you with praise. You could say, “Oh, it wasn’t much,” but that wouldn’t be true. Instead, you might say, “Thank you! I’m glad it went well. I couldn’t have done it without the amazing team and the community’s support.” This way, you’re being honest about the effort and sharing the credit, which showcases true humility.

Humility is about authenticity. It’s about knowing who you are, recognizing your achievements, and being open about the help you get along the way. It’s not about pretending you’re less—it’s about being real, and in being real, everyone around you can feel that authenticity. So next time you accomplish something, take a moment. Be proud, share the credit, and stay grounded. That's the essence of true humility.