Topic Posted by: Janie
Date Posted: Fri Jan 25 11:53:20 2008
Additional Comments: Hi Everyone, I have been accused of over anaylzing things too much so maybe thats what I'm doing here but I was wondering how the rest of you might feel about this statement. 'I feel humbled or it was a humbling experience.' As I was channel surfing several evenings ago, I watched a little of Larry King interviewing Rudy Guillini and Larry asked him if running for the president of the US was a humbling experience and Rudy replied yes, very much so. Was it because he didn't feel worthy of the job? Does that make sense? Also some time ago, I had congratulated a colleague for being awarded distinguished faculty and she responded with it was a 'humbling experience.' The more I thought about it, the more it bugged me so I looked up the word humble and it stated - lowly, aware of one's defects or shortcomings, not proud, not self assertive and humbling was defined as - to lower in position or rank. Does that sound like the presidential candidates or someone who has been given an award? I obviously have too much time on my hands these days but I was just wondering and besides the board was a little slow so I posted this. Any ideas?
Posted by: feemeister Date posted: Sun Jan 27 11:30:47 2008
Message:
I think I disagree with everyone. I don't for the life of me believe that Rudy Giuliani understands what humble or humbled is. Everything I've seen and heard about him make him seem totally arrogant. I also know that there were things about him prior to being mayor that were not at all to my liking, and had to do with his prosecuting.
What I believe, is that he (and many politicians) say that strictly for effect. They think it makes them seem one of us. They think that's what people want to hear. Has nothing to do at all with how they feel.
I think they say it especially if they think something is really going their way, and they say it to try to make themselves appear a good guy. If they said they were proud of all their support (which is probably more the truth) they probably think it would be a turnoff.
I don't think that humbling by any definition is going to be happening with very many politicians very often (althought it's not impossible). I believe it's one of those statements they use to try to get elected. JMVHO
Posted by: CannaLily Date posted: Sat Jan 26 12:15:15 2008
Message: I think the word "humbled" is as over used as the word "closure." I know there's several meanings to the word, but IMO, it means when someone is brought to their knees because of something they did wrong, or something wrong happening to them, and they won't be as judgmental as they were before. Look at soap characters, take Jack for instance. I always said he needs to be "humbled" because he's downright arrogant and bossy. And mean. lol. Only when he's humbled can he be a nicer person and not so judgmental.
Posted by: Janie Date posted: Fri Jan 25 21:09:48 2008
Message: Tosca, I can see where your definition makes sense in the way I've heard people use it. I guess there are many interpretations of any word. Thanks to all of you who responded. I don't see any of the presidential candidates filling that description, however. They all seem full of themselves except for the one person I like and would vote for if the election was now and that person was the nominee. I know that political choices can create all kinds of disagreements so thats all I'll say but I bet most of you could probably guess who that person is that I prefer. J. :)
Posted by: Sammie Date posted: Fri Jan 25 20:48:37 2008
Message: Interesting post. I think a few of our presidential candidates can benefit from the old saying, ''The Cure For Anxiety is Humility". :)
Posted by: Roxie Date posted: Fri Jan 25 17:51:38 2008
Message: Hi Janie! LOL! I can't imagine why a presidential candidate or the recipient of an award would use the word 'humbled'. My dictionary says *humble is to lower the pride or increase the humility of oneself or another, and, unqualified, suggests that such lowering is deserved.* No, that surely doesn't make sense in either circumstance!! HA!
Posted by: Tosca Date posted: Fri Jan 25 17:43:03 2008
Message:
Here's the definition of humbled I thought most defines what RG said:
"not proud or arrogant; modest: to be humble although successful. " "not arrogant or prideful"
I think he feels honored (not arrogant) in his run for President. He's not boastful, but instead understands that he runs alongside of other worthy (?!?) candidates.
I do agree that most definitions of "humble" seem negative, but I see a humble person as someone who's not full of himself.
Posted by: maggimae Date posted: Fri Jan 25 14:09:13 2008
Message: Oh, Janie, I love topics like this. I haven't really spent a lot of time pondering it yet. I can certainly see why the two examples you gave puzzles you, especially the faculty member. Now as for Rudy, maybe he's been humbled by some of the criticism aimed at him. After 9-11 he was praised highly. I can see why his ego might have been blown out of proportion and now has been deflated a bit. My guess, though, is that it is just a sound bite often used by politicians. My husband held a couple of public offices (before I married him), I'll ask him what he thinks.
