The true insights and convictions about ourselves and our abilities and talents affect our manner, our speech, and our association with others.  Our entire manner will indicate that whatever talents we have are gifts of God.  That is the truth and we are happy to live in accord with it.  We do not, therefore, put on airs or belittle others or put them down.  We don't have to.  We know the truth and the truth sets us free!

Freedom is one of the fruits of humility: freedom from the tyranny of false images, from the petty conflicts of envy and jealousy, from the vain struggle to be what we are not.

Peace is also a fruit of humility.  Inner peace comes when fear is overcome.  Humility teaches us that we have nothing to fear, that God loves us and cares about us and has gifted us.  Humility teaches us that we are not isolated individuals, having always to fend off hostile others, but rather are part of a community where people can accept one another as they are and support one another in their various gifts. Thomas Merton remarks that "a humble man is not afraid of failure.  In fact, he is not afraid of anything, even of himself, since perfect humility implies confidence in the power of God, before whom no other power has any meaning and from whom there is no such thing as an obstacle."

Humility gives us a whole new perspective on life.  It takes the sting out of many things that used to hurt us.  It brings a contentment, a simple joy, a way of using our gifts and accepting the gifts of others in a way that makes life happier than we thought it could be.

-thoughts taken from Choosing Virtue in a Changing World: A New Look at the Seven Deadly Sins
            by Daniel L. Lowery, C.SS.R

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