Agaasenimowin (Humility)

Humility, thats one of the most neglected teachings amongst our people. We can live without it, but then that is overwhelming us with the burden of the undisciplined diluted reality of ones own self centered behavior. Humility gives us the ability to let other teachings come into our lives, it humbles us, shows us pity, shows us strength, teaches how to understand each other and respect not only ourselves but all of the creation that surrounds us, Those that falsely feed off their delusions of grander offer no real value to the reality of any situation that those of us that are rich in these teaching have to offer toward those good spirits that inhabit our struggle. These people allow others to be deceived by their inept attitudes that allows them to practice their gifts of knowledge with no real wisdom to use it properly, where does one stand if he doesn't stand for nothing at all? Because I know they're not here standing beside me, but yet where does one stand that wishes to stand against those with good in our hearts that these teachings have allowed to show us the right path? Does this keen attitude toward anything logical compensate for their lack of humanity? Is this to validate their lack of compassion through their so-called intelligence that it allows them to not only neglect themselves but also the people they supposedly cherish and respect? I have been knocked down many times in my life by my own selfish behavior, but at least I had the courage to confront myself for my own shortcomings. Some people just hide away refusing to let themselves live up to any hypocritical standards they have ignorantly placed in front of themselves. It's not hard for me to understand these people that wish to believe they are to well versed and complex to be confronted with the ills of the world, they act as if they should be rewarded for their lack of concern until when it threatens there little hiding places that allows them not to be challenged. These people refuse to listen to their hearts, and this prevents them from being humiliated, because they believe humility will destroy them, and people fear what they know little of. When in fact, it will only give them strength, it will re-enforce the walls of knowledge they ignorantly build around themselves with the wisdom to use it properly. Not just to protect themselves, but even to protect those they love, it will allow them to be compassionate and not ridicule others for the ability to adhere to the teaching of humility. Humility will open up the doors of understanding, we are all pitiful, every last one of us, and this teaching should not be used as an excuse to refuse ourselves the gifts life is willing to show us. We should embrace our humility, we mustn't hide ourselves away from it, because it will catch up to those of us and kick us down if we do not adhere and respect these simple teachings of the Anishinaabe, it will teach us the value of our own self if we allow it, it tends to withhold itself from the most pretentious amongst us that constantly try to pontificate their ideals down upon those of us that they attempt to discourage from utilizing our opinions, although they are the most worthy of this teaching.