Lessons from the River: The Art of Self-Effacement

Good day, dear friends. Today, I’d like to share a story from my past, a tale that taught me the value of self-effacement. It’s a lesson I learned on the banks of a river, during a baptism ceremony that I’ll never forget.

The Baptism

It was a sunny Sunday morning, many years ago. The local church had organized a baptism ceremony by the river. The river was calm, mirroring the clear blue sky above. The congregation was gathered, their faces glowing with anticipation and joy.

As the pastor started the ceremony, a young man stepped forward. He was to be baptized that day. He was a well-known figure in our community, always the center of attention, always the loudest voice in the room. But that day, he was quiet, humble, and ready to embrace a new chapter in his life.

The Lesson

As the pastor gently lowered the young man into the water, he whispered something that echoed in my ears. He said, “Remember, son, the river doesn’t fight to be recognized. It simply flows, nurturing life along its path. Be like the river. Be humble. Be self-effacing.“

That moment, my friends, was a revelation. The young man, who had always sought validation and attention, emerged from the water with a new understanding. He realized the value of self-effacement, of letting go of the ego, of being like the river.

Embracing Self-Effacement

Self-effacement doesn’t mean you belittle yourself or think less of yourself. It means you understand your worth without needing to prove it to others. It means you’re confident in your abilities, but you don’t seek validation from outside. You’re content with who you are, and you don’t need to be the loudest voice in the room to make a difference.

Like the river, you can nurture life along your path, quietly and humbly. You can make a difference without fighting for recognition. You can be self-effacing.

Conclusion

So, my dear friends, as you navigate the river of life, remember the lesson from that sunny Sunday morning. Be like the river. Be humble. Be self-effacing. And watch as you make a difference in the world, quietly and humbly.

Until next time, remember to flow like the river, nurturing life along your path.

Yours in wisdom,

Kev