Love is a short word with many characteristics and meanings. It is often defined as patient, kind, not envious and it doesn’t keep record of right or wrong. Out of all the varying attributes of love, there is one that is often overlooked and needs to be expressed more in relationships. That trait is humility. Being humble is the act and art of swallowing one’s pride or minimizing one’s ego. In relationships, many people fail to realize that humility and love go hand-in-hand, and in failing to recognize this, many people don’t implement it within their relationships and in turn fail to display love at its best. In order to express love for someone, you must minimize your ego by placing your needs on the back burner to make the one you adore happy. One would think that this is an easy thing to do, however, oftentimes people don’t apply it to their relationships. As I think about a number of different relationships, the humility of love comes into play in a variety of circumstances, but the two situations that immediately come to mind are when a person threatens to leave or actually leaves, and when a person has been unfaithful.
How many times have we seen a man or woman walk away from an intimate connection for whatever reason, then see the significant other come after them in a panic and frenzy using every tactic they can think of to regain what they’ve lost? How many times has a woman given a man an ultimatum before he realizes what he’s about to lose? Why does it take someone to leave, or threaten to leave a relationship, before humility with love comes into play? Well, when a person you care deeply for decides to walk away from an intimate tie, it leaves an individual emotionally hurt, and when a person is hurt, they are vulnerable. When someone becomes vulnerable, they’re at their lowest emotional point, which ultimately opens the door for that person to eat a slice of humble pie. When a human in love arrives at their lowest point, they lay down their pride and humble themselves to do whatever is necessary to restore what has been lost.
When an individual is the victim of infidelity, it takes humility in love to endure the hurt, move beyond the indiscretion, forgive the cheater and remain in the relationship. Not only that, but it takes a meek heart and strong spirit to withstand the ridicule of others who know about the act. Many people may say that staying with someone who has hurt and embarrassed you is foolish, but if you think about it, it’s not being foolish at all…it is exemplifying humbleness with love. It is important to remove yourself, the ego and the selfishness when in a relationship in order to move forward in a productive manner and salvage what means most to you.
If you’re involved with someone whom you profess to love or you’re moving to that point, keep these simple things in mind to effectively practice humility with love: Always consider your partner’s needs and try to meet them; While striving to meet your partners needs, don’t neglect yourself; Remember that the relationship is not all about you, or solely about your partner, but the both of you; And if you’ve told someone you love them, show them unconditionally and unselfishly. Humility is a characteristic that is not highly regarded in society, in fact, it is looked upon as a very weak trait by some, but when it comes to love, humility is key in order for love to flourish as it should. How many times have you been humbled by love? Do you show humility in your relationship? Is it hard?
Liz Lampkin is the author of Are You a Reflection of the Man You Pray For? Follow her on Twitter @Liz_Lampkin.
