Living More Modestly
Modesty is not a popular word or idea in modern times. It is seen, I fear, as hopelessly old-fashioned, and yet I believe that nothing could be more relevant or necessary to a society that is run away with arrogance, extreme self-interest, irresponsibility and recklessness. Human hubris I think is responsible for much of the wreckage of the natural environment on which we depend for sustenance. It also seems to be a major cause of social wreckage in the society on which we depend for mental and emotional wellness. To say that we have a problem governing a tendency toward greed and self-centeredness is really understating the case.
As an English language teacher a disheartening moment for me is when my students introduce themselves and talk about their hobbies. What they most often mention are things like shopping, watching movies on Netflix and listening to music. These are not hobbies, they are boredom assassins. However, on the other end of the spectrum there are students who are Youtube stars of one description or another, and mention that as their hobby. It seems to be all or nothing; either they are gunning for greatness doing their hobby of choice, or they are not going to bother having one. There doesn’t seem to be much middle ground. Very few have a hobby that they do simply because they enjoy it, irrespective or whether or not they may be renown for it. For many joy doesn’t seem to come into it, despite their lives often seeming bereft of it.
A society that doesn’t value modesty as highly as it does prominence, prestige, glamour and excitement, is one in which those of us with an average life may feel left behind, or worse, like we have failed. This breaks my heart. I think we might do better if we saw life less as a right, and more as a privilege. When we insist upon ourselves, we are in essence insisting that life subjugate itself to our egoic demands. What we lose sight of are all the natural offerings of life that open our hearts, nourish our souls and support our spirits; things that prestige, glamour and excitement can never make a return on.
Living with authenticity and integrity, and seeing life as a privilege rather than a right, supports a life of extraordinary joy because in the humble act of putting ourselves second, life has a chance to speak to us. The ordinary joys of an obscure life are to be found in abundance; the ritual of morning tea, the smile of a stranger on our way to work, the sunshine filtering in and filling the room with a natural optimism and sense of joy.
All of this costs nothing, but the time and space set aside to notice, feel, and appreciate such things. Grandiosity may be an attempt to evade the ordinary more humble aspects of life. Modesty welcomes and embraces them. To get up in the morning and do our best, is all that matters; folding the clothes, making a simple meal, and looking forward to any of the other small, quiet, joys that come our way no matter our circumstances.
Love and courage.