Humble and Lovable

"Humility is intelligent self-respect which keeps us from thinking too highly or too meanly of ourselves." Ralph W. Sockman

When not saving the world as Underdog, he lives a simple life as Shoe Shine Boy. His customer pays him and says, "Thank you, Shoe Shine Boy. You're humble and lovable." Shoe Shine Boy replies, "Bless you, Sir." That man with the freshly shined shoes has no idea he just had his shoes shined by Underdog!

Every religion or life philosophy I can think of has humility as a gateway to enlightenment. Those who refuse to walk the path of humility will never be truly great. Every successful person I have known personally has been humble. They know who they are. They have self-respect, with no need to boast or brag, but no compulsion to put themselves down either. Sometimes we confuse humility with humiliation.

The things we as a society value and devalue say a lot about us. Now there are those of us who would not lower ourselves to shine shoes, wash dishes or collect garbage for a living. Too humiliating and certainly beneath us. There is nothing inherently humiliating about those kinds of jobs. It's just simple, honest work for a wage. It might also be an important stop on the way to enlightenment, but in our false pride, we refuse it, and to our own detriment. Humiliation is when we hand over our dignity and self-respect. It is entirely possible to shine shoes and have our dignity and self-respect completely intact.

Isn't that what some people do in exchange for the almighty dollar or social standing? If we have a prestigious career, live in an exclusive neighborhood and drive the latest car, but sell our souls by lying, cheating and stepping on anyone who gets in our path, now that sounds like real humiliation to me.

Susan

The voice of Underdog and Shoe Shine Boy done by Wally Cox.