Humility

From my limited perspective...

One of the vibes I pick up, as I visit the sites of ancient civilizations and talk to the remaining descendants, is a deep sense of humility. Paradoxically, it is fed by an intense sense of pride.

You can see it in people's eyes.

Here were these cultures, the pinnacles of their times, strong, fat and sassy, now distant memories and vestiges of their former selves.

They all had their butts kicked in one way or another, the Olmec, Aztecs, Zapotecs, Mixtecs, its a long list.

And losing it all, does a number on one's ego and standing in the world. It is not a bad thing to be knocked down, to not always win, to be forced to eat one's words and suffer for ones deeds, one's arrogance.

This country has such a short history, it has yet to really experience it or figure it out.

Its a hard lesson to learn, how to be humble and proud at the same time.

We have the pride and arrogance down, not so much the humility.