casual ultimate » Humble or HOVA

A few months ago, my mom and I talked about an issue that has been tough for me my whole life. Isn’t it arrogant to be a really out there, expressed, loud, flashy star with your talents? Do you need to be quiet to be humble? Is being quiet actually the opposite of what you’re supposed to do with your talents? Am I confusing being repressed with being humble?

When I was younger, and still today at times, I felt like being exceptional was arrogant (look at Jay-Z, using his God-given talent but also calling himself “hov” as in jehovah; what an idiot….and also I listen to everything he makes). I am learning, with my mom’s help, that being exceptional is not arrogant and that we all have talents that give us the potential to be exceptional. Here’s what my mom had to say on it, reproduced with her consent.

There are two different factors we face in relationship to others. One is humility and assuming we are all equal. That is a spiritual truth, and on that level we are all created equal. The second is being aware of the many different talents and gifts that we each bring to the game and there we are definitely NOT equal. These are the luck of the draw so to speak and we need not, or actually MUST not be ashamed or boastful about these things. We did nothing to “deserve” them. They are simply given to us by God. But it is our responsibility to use our gifts to the best of our ability and that is not a small thing. It takes awhile to realize all that we have to offer and who we really are. I think lots of people never look at that in depth and just struggle or stumble through life aimlessly and with little or no sense of what they’re all about. When we are especially blessed there is even more need for us to use what we’ve been given. You are a man with many gifts and the burden on you is great to do good things and you are well on your way as is obvious to many. You are much loved and admired and your mark on your world will only get greater, especially as you continue to realize who you are and what you have to give. This is not a negative thing at all because God wants us to be happy and gives us what we need to do His work. So long as you live with that as your goal, to do what you were intended to do, your life will be worthwhile. Your awareness of your Higher Power in your life says you are living that way already. Emmett Fox wrote: “I am part of the self-expression of God; I am the Presence of God at the point where I am”. [one of] my favorite affirmations. Enjoy being you: God is loving it!