After the events of recent years I am beginning
to develop a theory on the subject of humiliation. Why humiliation? Because this
somewhat unpleasant topic seems to be one of the themes running through my life.
I know this all sounds a bit morbid and self-absorbed but my theory does not
involve me feeling sorry for myself. Rather it is me stepping back and figuring
out what is going on. My theory contains observations of wonder and
amazement at how something devastating, embarressing and potentially demoralising can
do something magnificent in my character.
And the conclusion I have come to is humiliation, if I let it, is the way I learn humility.
Now may I be so bold as to suggest we see this in the lives of people like
Mother Theresa and Nelson Mandela. When Mother Theresa went to work and live on
the streets of Kolkata with the poorest of the poor humiliation was her
companion. Likewise when Nelson Mandela was unjustly imprisioned for a large
portion of his life humiliation was closer than his shadow. However, both these history makers learned
humility as a result and both are admired and respected for their contribution to humanity.
Developing a theory on humiliation might be morose but I find it helpful because it prepares me to face
humiliation face on and not to run from the lessons it has to teach me. Humiliation
stops being an enemy when I embrace it and welcome the not so pleasant truths it reveals to me
about myself.
Maybe one day I will be so humble I will not even notice humiliation.
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