Spiritual Optometry

I'm short-sighted, or far-sighted. I can never remember which one. Whatever causes you to see someone from 6 feet away as an amorphous ectoplasmic blob -- that's what I have.

But what a great day and age in which to have such an affliction! I have several different sizes and styles of eyeglasses (in several different states of disrepair). I can go to any one of a dozen local one-hour optometrists and get a prescription for contact lenses (soft or hard? colored or transparent? extended wear or throw away?). I can even choose any one of 31 flavors of laser eye surgery now being offered.

I wish our spiritual eyesight were so easily remedied.

I was recently in the hospital for a few days and read some interesting pieces on the modern vs. the classic view of humility. The modern world teaches that humility properly understood involves debasement of self -- a lowering of ones self below that of others. Meekness, submissiveness and a giving over of ones personal sovereignty to others. Indeed, the dictionary definition of humble is "low in rank, quality, or station; unpretentious or lowly."

This definition, however, is of a relatively recent vintage. The traditional understanding of the word humility comes from its biblical usage to describe the reason for G-d's choosing Moses to lead the people of Israel out of bondage and into freedom. It says that G-d chose Moses because he was the "most humble of men." Everyone remembers the part in Exodus where Moses protests the mantle of leadership by saying that he has a speech impediment, but the lesser recalled parts of the Bible are Moses exercising his wealth and power in what seem to be an almost Machievellian way.

How does this square with him being described as "the most humble of men?"

It turns out that the traditional view of humility is having a crystal clear view of who you are -- both good and bad. You are not boastful and you don’t bow and scrape the ground with false modesty. Humility in the traditional sense then is a true understanding of who and what you are.

After I read this I came to the inescapable conclusion that we have a humility crisis in the United States today! America's women are not humble enough!

I'm sure you've seen the signs as I have. Accomplished, intelligent, beautiful women with an abundance of character, compassion, wit and charm in a relationship with a man not nearly as capable.

Wives and mothers who have or are raising children, organizing the household, participating in book clubs, public services, religious institutions and many times paid careers too. They have advanced degrees, are bi and tri-lingual, artistic, caring, sympathetic, empathetic, energetic -- while the husband's claim to fame is that he "brings home the bacon."

These women cling to the modern view of "humility," taking a back seat to Harry Husband Homeowner who rules the roost, the checkbook and many times the tempo and tenor of the marriage.

It is my humble (traditionally defined) opinion that many women share my optical affliction, except that it is manifested not when physically looking at others, but when spiritually looking within.

When they look at themselves, instead of seeing the incredible energetic and dynamic person I see, they see an amorphous ectoplasmic blob.

This causes all manner of social and personal problems. Dysfunctional marriages and families; unhappy wives and mothers; children being raised in discordant households and having unnatural role models.

I feel like the Saturday Night Live Psychologist character Denise Venetti whose only remarks to her patients are “Have you taken a look at yourself? Take a look at yourself.”

Perhaps what’s needed is a Spiritual Optometrist.