E160: The Path of Humility w Special Guest
Michael Knight
E160 Introduction
Humility. Being humble. This is not a characteristic that comes natural for us in the West, is it? We are encouraged at a young age to not only have a healthy ego but to strive to be special, to be “the Man” in whatever endeavors you seek to make your mark. Be the smartest, the best, be special, be famous, blah blah blah.
We can see this lack of humility all over the place. Especially wherever there is “status”. In corporate business, with lawyers and doctors, with celebrities, with our athletes, and within ourselves. It is not something that many of us were taught, or so it seems. Humbleness isn’t flashy is it? So why cultivate it?
Yet something new is emerging as my guest today so eloquently expresses. That the humble path is the earthy and soulful path. That it has an elegance and a sort of magic to it.
I remember reading about the world famous New Zealand rugby team the All-Blacks. They are the greatest rugby team in world. Legendary. What do they teach and lead with? You guessed it, humility. The author of a book about the All-Blacks went to their training facility to interview their most well-known and most beloved players and found them happily sweeping out the locker room. Can you imagine seeing Michael Jordan or Kobe or Aaron Rogers or Aaron Judge sweeping up the garbage? Neither can I.
Yet, this humbleness permeates much of the male culture in Polynesia. The All-Blacks have many of the indigenous Maori and this emphasis on service comes from them. I have noticed this same, wonderful characteristic in many of the Polynesian men I have met. A gentle nature. A humility. A willingness to serve the tribe in whatever way is needed in the moment.
There is an invitation here for growth. For you and I to surrender to the process of letting go: of old identities and ways of being, of our arrogance, of old behaviors and ways of thinking and feeling that no longer serve us. The invitation is to travel lighter my friend. And right-sizing the ego and embracing the humble path may just be the key. My guest today is a friend and a man who exemplifies what I am talking about. Let’s go sit around the fire with him.
Michael Knight Bio-
My guest today is Michael Knight. Michael is a friend, former professional basketball player, a mentor/trainer and entrepreneur. Here is my interview with Michael Knight.
E160 Final Thoughts-
I hope you enjoyed our time with Michael Knight. He is part of a new generation of athletes that carry a strong spiritual vibe about them. These athletes express some deep wisdom about who we are and that, sometimes when we focus on ALL of us getting better, each individual finds his or her unique Hero’s Journey in life. All of that resonates here.
Thank you Basecampers and we’ll see you around the fire next week.