We are entering the colder months of the year and with that, monthly rituals of light that gives us something to look forward to every 30 days or so. Somehow I think our Ancestors planned it that way – Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, Valentines Day – to get us through the 29 other dark and dreary days. One of my daughters has the Christmas tree and all the lights up inside and outside of the house, nine days before Thanksgiving week this year. She has even gone so far to buy the fabric lighted inflatables for the front yard and it looks like she is using every string of Christmas lights I left her when I moved East. The lights might be the caffeine that she will need to get through this very different holiday season.
This holiday season will be different as the Coronavirus did not start appearing until January, which thankfully saved us from spreading it unknowingly while we traveled and feasted. For this serendipitous timing, we should be Thankful.
But even more for this upcoming holiday season, we should be Humble. The Bible says, “When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.” Proverbs 11:2 KJV. But when you translate that into modern common language, the message is more like “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” Humility is the act of being Humble. Now humbleness is not a trait of a weak-spirited person, but an outward expression of confidence that you do not have to be overly assertive. Some of the actions of a humble person is practicing mindfulness and focusing on the current events and how you are an integral part of them, having patience to listen to others and seeking feedback from them, asking for help when you need it and also being grateful for what you have. Just about every person reading this blog post will be celebrating the holiday much differently than years past, but to bring in Humbleness means that you understand that we are only half way through this pandemic and we must work on ourselves if we are going to succeed in seeing a brighter future once this is over.
The act of being Humble could also mean helping others as you would like others to help you. This could be as easy as helping your neighbor with a challenging task such as hanging outdoor lights, raking leaves, or shoveling snow. It could mean downsizing your feasts and making a $5.00 donation to the food bank. It could be tipping the bag person at the store, or the delivery man. The same daughter mentioned above receives a 50 pound box of Idaho’s finest russet potatoes from her husband’s job, and she quickly divvies them up into smaller bags to give to her friends so that they have the creamiest mashed potatoes at Thanksgiving all thanks to her. It’s her way of being humble.
Your act of Humbleness does not have to be big or showy – that’s pride there – but just a quiet acknowledgment of one human to another, and that little bit of encouragement is the thing that may give them the spark to rise from slumber another day.
Your act of Humbleness should have an element of Holiness to it. Give an offering to your Ancestors and the Saints. A small dish of pecan pie or a shot glass of brandy is appreciated by the Spirits. Light a candle or purchase a desktop sized poinsettia and leave near the photos of loved ones who have passed. Any and all small acts of Remembrance will be appreciated and reciprocated in coincidental ways. Just wait and see.
Understanding that we are all in this together and that the unity of us working together to get through this pandemic by being mindful of wearing protective coverings and utilizing measures to ensure sanitary environments will be your contribution to this chapter of history in the story of Mankind’s progress. Be humble that you have a part in this ever unfolding tale.
