“The humble man makes room for progress; the proud man believes he is already there.” ??
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Ed Parker American Kenpo (1931-1990)
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In the martial arts world, I have noticed an undesirable trend with many practitioners and instructors. There are those who regularly talk about the things they have accomplished, they exaggerate their success and point out their trophies and belt ranks. They constantly demand attention from those around them. And there are those who have stated to me directly that humility is NOT important.
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Then there are those who downplay their successes, or they don’t even mention them. They regularly examine their own weaknesses and strive for constant improvement. They say very little, but demonstrate much through their actions.
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If you look through history, and present day, the greatest martial artists all have a humble spirit. Although many may not be widely known, they are at the top of their craft. They are male and female martial artists that have great knowledge, amazing levels of skill, true passion for their art, and an ability to share their wisdom with others in ways that make their students passionate about the martial arts.
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Humility is one of the most desperately needed character traits today. But how can we develop this trait in our children and young adults?
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The first step is helping them have an understanding of what real humility is.
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Humility, in its simplest sense, is the ability to consider others ahead of oneself. It has been said that a humble person doesn’t think less of himself; he simply thinks of himself less. A genuinely humble person can be confident without being arrogant and can respect others while maintaining his self-respect.
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So many virtues flow from this quality called humility. Respectfulness, kindness, generosity, compassion, patience – humility includes all these qualities. A truly humble person will demonstrate these traits – and these traits contribute to one’s humility.
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Students need to be willing learners. A humble person recognizes that no matter how much he thinks he knows, he can still improve.
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Learn from others, there is always something new to learn. Don’t be afraid to make a mistake, admit it when you are wrong. Maintain a humble spirit, even more so in the face of a great accomplishment. Be passionate about what you do, practice because you enjoy it. Find ways to help others succeed; In teaching others you learn even more. Life is not about ranks, awards or accomplishments. It is about inner growth and sharing your talents in ways that help others in some form or another. Be humble on your journey.
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“There are many people out there who accomplish a little bit and decide that they are an expert. Humility is knowing what you don’t know.”