Humility.We all strive to be more humble.
But just when we think we're being humble, we're being proud about being humble and that, um, is slightly ironic.
Humiliation. A related word.
What better way to stay humble than to humiliate yourself from time to time? Good theory, right?
Well, I've been testing this theory lately.
Many of you know I love to sing.
Recently I volunteered to sing a song at church that means a lot to me. It makes me cry every time I listen to it on the radio driving around in the minivan. It's a simple song, not too high, not too low, simple words. No problem, right?
The problem is, if you can't stop crying listening to the song in the minivan than you're probably not going to make it through the song when you're up in front of people. I started crying at the beginning. I cried through the ENTIRE thing.
Yes. Humiliating.
Someone upstairs is making sure I stay humble.
This week is crazy-o week. It's spring ballet recital week, and many of you know I've been taking adult ballet classes this year, so I am IN THE RECITAL. I am the third oldest person in the recital, and all of us adult ballerinas are wearing foofy white tutus that were made for ten year olds.
Bear in mind that the younger ballerinas (of normal ballerina age, if there is such a thing) are wearing awesome outfits that compliment their perfectly proportioned youthful figures.
The skirt on my tutu starts around my armpits, because I'm rather taller than most ten year olds.
And I am not a good dancer. I know this because my friend made a video of our dance (so we could learn it) and I watched it on Youtube and almost dropped out right there and then. I look RIDICULOUS. On Friday and Saturday nights I will have family members in the audience to watch me perform a two minute dance that I could barely learn.
Again, humiliating.
But that's okay. Humiliation is good. It keeps me humble.
So, what are you doing lately to humiliate yourself? Please give me some good stories. I need the encouragement. Please don't tell me you play it safe and keep a low profile. *grin*
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where is the link to said youtube video?? you can't go around promising us stuff like that and not deliver!!!
ReplyDeleteHa ha! Snort. Unfortunately, my friend, that video has been restricted so that only a few people can watch it. (I think.) I'm giving no further clues. Search for it at your own risk. Ba-ha-ha-ha!
ReplyDeleteAmy
I am so proud of you. I love it.
ReplyDeleteI write outrageous things and sometimes they don't make all that much sense.
Ah, freedom.
~ Wendy
I don't need to humiliate myself on purpose (and yes, singing would do it!). I get humbled on a regular basis. There's a reason for that old saying Pride Goeth Before a Fall.
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful post, Amy. It reminded me of those personal essays that one professor of mine was always trying to get us to write.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite line: "The skirt on my tutu starts around my armpits, because I'm rather taller than most ten year olds." The skirt would probably hit me just right, then:)
"The skirt on my tutu starts around my armpits . . ." LOL! I think we need a picture, Amy!
ReplyDeleteTeaching and singing with children keeps me humble. Oh, and submitting poetry to magazines, the rejections keep me humble.
When you mentioned the tutu I just had to tell you about my brother's granddaughter, Lizzie.
ReplyDeleteShe's three and came to our Father's Day celebration dressed in her favorite outfit: A green Transformer t-shirt, pink tutu skirt she swished around, and what she calls her "run sandals" so she could keep up with her 5 year old brother.
Oh, to be that young, wear exactly what you love, and not be humiliated!
Here's the thing...You enjoy dancing right? You are doing something you wanted to do, right? It will be okay...In the long run you are teaching your children a lesson...be yourself and enjoy life. I've spent too much of my life being cautious and trying to not be embarrassing. I applaud you for getting out there and enjoying your life!
ReplyDeleteIn the past few years I've stretched myself with some adventures...helicopter ride (alone), writing and going to a big conference (alone), riding on the back of my hubby's Harley, and this week taking our boat out on my own. We've had a boat for 9 years and this is my first time to go out without my man at the helm...I want to be adventurous...I'm just running behind. :) Kudos for stretching yourself, Amy!
Okay, so if you REALLY want to post about humility (and humiliation), then I think we need to see some youtube linkage and some tutu picture action.
ReplyDeleteJust sayin' . . .
I'll still love you though, Amy, even if you don't deliver.
I hope you've recovered. And don't feel alone; I still can't listen to Barry Manilow without crying.
ReplyDeleteYou guys are all so awesome! Thanks for your words, everyone!! I will be proud to perform my elfish dance tomorrow night, thanks to your kind words and encouragement.
ReplyDeleteKim, I gave Kimberly Geswein the link through facebook. See if she'll share it with you. ;)
Mohamed, that is so funny! After church this guy I didn't even know came up to me and was telling me about this country song and how he cries every time he listens to it. Then he told me I should make extra money by hiring myself out as a wedding singer! LOL! I guess at weddings people like sobbing soloists? ... All that to say, we're definitely not alone in our tears. :)
Amy