“Humility makes great men twice honorable.” ~ Benjamin Franklin
This thought emerged in my mind couple of days back while sitting with a group of people over lunch, one of whom was ex-chairman of a large public sector corporation.
I always make an effort to meet people from different walks of life unrelated to whether they are successful or not. I try to help wherever I can and also ask for help if needed; because if you can’t ask for help you cannot give it.
Many people who become successful in worldly sense — heads of corporations, people with more money or with a comfortable life more than many — tend to close themselves to outer world. This change – if you observe closely – does not happened in a single day but over a period of time. No offenses meant to people in this situation as they themselves do not know what they have become.
Such people are personified by following traits;
False Superiority: Such people live cocooned in their own world mostly with people who work — not with them but under them — and who praise them for no obvious reasons — may be whose pay-raise depends on these people with false superiority. This instills a false sense of superiority in these individuals. This is different from having high self-esteem. This is about thinking that you are more important than many in the world.
Living in the past: Such people live in the times that have gone past them and the world. No point resting on one’s laurels and talk about what one did 10 years back or last year.
What is more important is what you are doing now. If you did something great, remarkable and memorable then you will not have to talk about that. People will talk about it themselves. Something what Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Steve Jobs or Bill Gates did? You see I love both Apple and Microsoft for different reasons and guess that is ok.
Living in a different world: These people think there are only few people worth talking to in this world — people who are at similar title, with similar wealth or social standing.
Negative body-language: Such people close themselves to others. They sit with cross-folded hands in meetings and in public interactions. They stand with higher than usual heads.
If you are one of the above then you may be missing on many good things of life.
What are you missing?
Love of people: People give their love and appreciation to people who smile at others and convey that they appreciate your presence. If you come across somebody who rather than smiling scoffs at you then chances are that you will not reciprocate with love unless you are a saint.
Joys of life called laughter: Laughing with an open heart brings great joy to people. Somebody who thinks that he is superior to others will not be able to relate and laugh his heart out. When you laugh with people you experience the joy of togetherness which is irreplaceable.
Growth and learning: Really growth-oriented people are always open to learning. I really like this story about the Zen Master and University Professor.
“A university professor went to visit a famous Zen master. While the master quietly served tea, the professor talked about Zen. The master poured the visitor’s cup to the brim, and then kept pouring. The professor watched the overflowing cup until he could no longer restrain himself. “It’s overfull! No more will go in!” the professor blurted. “You are like this cup,” the master replied, “How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup?”
Many of us have already heard and read this story at different places. If you come with prejudices and think that you know all there is to know then the chances for you to learn anything new are bleak. At times people think they can do without learning new things — that is to their own peril.
Friends and Happiness: If you live a cocooned life then you will get away from real friend; and those who know about the joy of friendship know that it is an eternal source of happiness.
New connections: When you interact with people from different walks of life, may be not as successful as you – then you open yourself to new connections. Connections open new doors, help you find new partners and collaborators. Truly success-oriented people always are on the lookout for new connections.
I am sure you are somebody who is interested in new connections, wants to grow and want people to love them and unravel in the joy of life. If you want to do all then be open to new ideas and people; and meet people with open heart how-ever successful you may be in worldly sense.
Hope it helped. Give me an opportunity to open my heart to you by sharing your thoughts in comments.
Joy, Peace, Love and Growth to all.