Quiet Formation
Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less.
The quote “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less” is often attributed to the Irish-born Christian author and theologian C. S. Lewis. While he did not coin the exact phrase, it perfectly encapsulates the idea he expressed about genuine humility in his works, particularly Mere Christianity. The quote is attributed to Rick Warren from The Purpose Driven Life and other sources. I’ve heard it from various sources over the years and it has struck me as a useful orientation.
True humility isn’t about running yourself down or minimizing your achievements; that often still keeps the self at the center, just framed negatively. Instead, it’s about acknowledging your value and capabilities while deliberately choosing to prioritize others, the task at hand, or the greater good.
It means stepping back from the constant internal monologue of “Am I good enough?” or “Am I being noticed?” and redirecting that energy outward. When I practice this, I find more room for empathy, better listening skills, and the capacity to celebrate the successes of others without feeling diminished. It fosters an environment of collaboration where ego takes a back seat to effectiveness. Thinking of myself less allows me to be present, engage genuinely, and contribute more meaningfully to the world around me.
Nothing has been more meaningful to me over the last few weeks than getting to show up and spend time with students at the Winston-Salem Street School. It is remarkable how light, free, and present I feel when simply immersed in serving others.
I would never have imagined myself working with students on creative expression and a process for getting your thoughts and feelings out of you and recorded / documented. I’m having a blast! Helping those students tell their stories and build their capacities for reflection and expression feels awesome! I can’t wait to have their collective story told and to turn over their book. What fun!
I will end up spending dozens of hours investing in those students, as a volunteer, to get that particular project to the finish line. That is the kind of purpose driven life I want to lead. That transcends a business model and anything monetary.
I’m getting the opportunity, on a weekly basis, to invest in others. It is the best example I can think of in my life right now where I simply am not thinking of myself while I am there. My E is on my forehead for the students to read it!
Quiet Formation on Amazon!
Quiet Formation: Journal on Amazon!
One of my first Substack posts (from January 14th)