Lessons in Humility: My Father-in-Law
I think the most endearing trait of a man is humility--humility in the face of greatness. Quite possibly God himself has seen it fit to align me with men like my father and my father-in-law in order to teach me the value of this all important trait.
Within the last week, the legendary college basketball coaching icon, John Wooden, passed away. Anyone who knew the man, knew that he preached humility above all else. Here is a man that never once spoke of his ten titles; here is a man that gave credit to everyone else—a man who was inspired to help others above all else. Humility. The lesson of his humility is what has truly lived on and inspired so many.
My father-in-law is such a man. Here is a man who is concert level at more instruments than I can pronounce; a man who plays in a symphony orchestra often in a tuxedo and yet lives his life is simply removed from all the pomp and frills, a man that is gifted in basically every sport I know of, and a man who volunteers with the elderly—but the one element of his personality that remains above all else is his humility.
Here's a guy that has every right to brag on himself, to be pretentious, to act aloof--but he doesn't. He goes out of his way not to be that type of guy. He's generous of himself in the way he offers his time and skills. He makes every effort to make those around him comfortable. In short, he's a great guy.
His example to me on this upcoming Father’s Day as a man and father is his humility. So, happy Father’s Day ‘Big Guy’ and thanks for setting such a great example.
This post is part of the Fatherhood Friday tradition at Dad-Blogs.com. Check out more fatherhood posts over there now.
Comments (9)
Humility is a good thing. I don't know much about John Wooden, but I have met people who sound like they might be a little like that. Great men who are unassuming and humble. Nobody likes a show off, but everybody likes a winner. The perfect combination would be a humble winner. makes sense to me :-)
I couldn't agree more Keith. Thanks for dropping by.
It is pretty easy to get caught up in yourself in our increasingly connect and slight narcissistic society - follow me on Twitter! :)
I'm not much a fan of basketball, but one of my favorite Wooden sayings applies to anything in life - talent is God given, be humble; Fame is man given, be thankful; Conceit is self given, be careful.
It's great to hear stories like your father in law who work set to the best example.
What a great quote, that's one to put on the fridge for sure.
i think i would love your fil. he's my kind of people. i just wished more people would practice humility.
p.s. i have an ff up :p~
I'm the only man in the house with 4 women (wife + 3 girls). I think, by definition, that means I have to get force-fed humility daily.
No doubt. Wooden embodied humility and sportsmanship — unlike Pitino, who embodies illicit behavior in restaurant bathrooms, and Calipari, who embodies straight-up cheating, pure and simple.
Well, there's always coach K, right? That man's a class act in my opinion. Although, the article was really about my FIL... :D