Humility

 Hello eku dee de iwoyio.

I would like to share this short story with you. You may have seen it before but it is worth sharing and revisiting because it may help someone.

I recently ran into an old classmate, we had not seen each other for about 30 years.

When I saw him in a hotel lobby, he was looking simple. He wore simple clothes. I felt touched. He walked up to me and was glad to see me again. But deep within me, I was not impressed with his status compared to mine, and poor me, I couldn't hide it. We exchanged contact details and I could see the joy in him as he collected mine.

I offered to drop him off at his home in my brand new Range Rover I pointed to it but He declined and said he had already called for his car. It looked old, a 2001 Honda Accord.

I invited him the next day for lunch at my house. A part of me wanted to impress him, to show off my success and affluence to him, while another was to discuss opportunities and possibly help him.

He drove to where I live. He looked impressed I had taken a heavy mortgage. In fact, I was heavily in debt. we had lunch. He told me he was into small business and particularly real estate. I brought up more business discussions, but he didn't sound too interested. I asked him how I could help him. He said he was fine. I even told him if he was interested, I could help him secure some loans... He looked at me and smiled.

He told me he would invite me over soon to his place. His old car came for him. I was grateful for what I had.  “Fingers are not all equal”, I thought to myself...I was lucky. I worked in a good place.

Two weeks later, my wife and I went to see him in a remote area.

She was reluctant to go because she was not impressed with the man's status as to warrant our visiting him in his house. I was able to convince her that we were close friends in college. We saw the Estate. We asked for directions to his home. Those leading us spoke his name with deference and reverence.

It was a simple but lovely home. It was a 4 bedroom bungalow. I saw 4 cars parked in front. We entered his home. It was simply elegant with a touch of class inside. He welcomed us warmly. Lunch was well served.

During lunch, he asked about my MD. He said they were friends. I saw a company gift on one of his tables nearby. That company owned about 38% of the shares where I worked. I enquired from him about it. He smiled. He told me he owned the company. He also owned the estate.

I did not know when I called him sir... I was in awe of him.

I had learned a lesson in humility, a big one! Appearances are deceptive.

Driving back home, I was very quiet. My wife was humbled and extremely calm. I could perceive the thoughts in her mind. I looked at myself. Living on loans, heavy loans, and showing off while someone who pays my salary is quite modest and living a simple life!

Adjust your perception toward life and others because indeed Deeper Rivers Flow In Majestic Silence!

We celebrate you if you were born in July. Your birthday is the first day of another 365-day journey. Be the shining thread in the beautiful world and be a blessing and inspiration to the people around you! May you be given many more birthdays to fulfill all your dreams!

Have a wonderful month everybody! Stay safe and stay healthy.

Eric O. Thompson

YAJ.