Embrace Humility
Seeing ourselves and others in the correct estimation.
Sometimes it can be easier to understand complex things by dissecting them into smaller parts. Whether it's a frog or a philosophy, it can bring clarity to focus on smaller parts. I've been taught to look at human worthiness and esteem by examining two separate values: intrinsic value and market value.
I remember the day my coach, Chris, introduced the idea of dissecting my worthiness. He asked me if I had considered how I have intrinsic value and I have market value. I had not, so we started talking about what attributes derive my intrinsic value as a human, and what gives me market value as a person. It has been an ongoing and very valuable exercise for how I see myself and others. Let's break it down!
Intrinsic value - the value that is inherent in my being alive on the earth, the immeasurably small percentage chance that I was actually conceived, the DNA that is unique to me alone, the passions that were born into my heart, the talents that are uniquely mine, my consciousness to engage with the world, and how these unique qualities empower me to impact the world like no one else can! I am here for purpose. We also talked about my personal faith journey and my beliefs about God and a Jewish rabbi named Jesus which I believe anchor my intrinsic value.
Market value - these are the values that enable me to generate revenue or give me some sort of impressive value to others. A brain surgeon probably has a higher market value than a fig picker. An NFL quarterback probably has a higher market value than a Pee Wee football coaches. It sounds cold, but if we imagine everyone living with a dollar sign hovering over our heads, it can clarify our market value, or what people are willing to pay for our expertise, experience, education, talents, etc.
Notice that our intrinsic value never changes…it is always the same no matter what we do. I still have my talents, my passions, my gifts, and my purpose regardless of my decisions. Notice how our market value can fluctuate like the stock market. We can make some good decisions, get more education, build more expertise, and increase my market value. We can also make some poor decisions, get lazy, treat our co-workers poorly and decrease our market value. In fact, our market value sees constant fluctuations whether our direct income changes or not.
I believe we should ask ourselves, what should be the foundation of our worthiness? What should be the root of our identity…our intrinsic value or our market value? I believe we begin to see ourselves accurately when we base our self-worth on our intrinsic value and reframe society's assessment of our market value.
This brings us to 50% of the Embrace Humility definition: seeing ourselves in the correct estimation by looking at our incredible intrinsic value and reframing our market value. The other 50% is about seeing others in the correct estimation. If it is true that we have a sky high intrinsic value that was given to us and not earned, what does that say about our neighbors, or people of different color, or people with different political viewpoint, or income levels? Are they just as worthy of love and belonging we are? I believe YES!
Humility enables me to first get an accurate picture of myself: I am alive, I am a human being, I am created for purpose, I am image bearer, and I am uniquely wired to impact others - and most importantly, this value never changes. As I lean into this intrinsic identity for myself, I can begin seeing others in the same light and love them according to their equal and amazing value.