Hand Lettering and Photo by Meredith Crawford
Think of winning a big, shiny trophy.
You keep your trophy in its case so you are reminded of your great accomplishment. However, when you break that trophy out of its case and carry it around with you – becoming outwardly proud – your modesty is lost.
Think of this big, shiny trophy as humility. You have it until you begin to show it off.
Humility – the quality or state of being humble – is a mighty powerful trait to possess. It’s a genuine attribute of serving others – putting the good of others before the good of yourself – rather than checking off boxes in your own agenda. However, let us not mistake this word for timidity, insecurity, or feebleness. Humility is not an act of weakness, rather an instinctual act of encouraging others.
Personifying the word humility is a helpful way to understand what it truly means, as its definition encompasses many characteristics:
Humility builds people up – it does not turn them into ladder rungs.
Humility is respectful – it is not judgmental.
Humility is genuine – it is not jealous.
Humility listens to others – it does not speak over them.
Humility is quiet – it is not prideful.
Humility allows failure – it is not flawless.
Humility grows – it is not inert.
In a world where people try to climb on top of each other to be the best, the act of building people up – bringing them up with you – is a rebellious feat in itself. The strongest tower does not place you alone and proud at the top, but rather rests you in a place of support, no matter your location on the totem pole. Now, don’t think that humility corresponds with selling yourself short – it simply means that you’re thinking of yourself less, not less of yourself (thanks, C.S. Lewis).
We have the chance to see humility at work every day by looking toward our lovely leader Carly, who has always believed that women hold the power to change the world. Rather than creating a movement that put her at the forefront, though, she chose to elevate other women around her, working every day, in every way, to build them up. Tribe Alive thrives on the sturdy foundation that the brand is only successful if the women who support it are successful, too. Our Tribe isn’t a tall tower of people – it’s more like a big group standing together on the ground, one person not any higher than another.
Some people seem to work so hard to make a name for themselves, but forget the true meaning of leading a life of selflessness, of humility. As a Tribe, we should take this word and – without thought – live by it. Be rebellious in a society that encourages self-promotion. Make a habit of putting others before yourself. And practice being genuine in the face of others’ success.
A Martinican proverb (and probably your grandma) declares, “Chickens don’t praise their own soup.” Instead, praise the ‘soup’ next to yours. It’s probably just as good.
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