Cheatsheets

I met a new friend this week -- another woman on a spiritual path.  So lovely to just start in the middle with someone; that mysterious sudden familiarity and appreciation.  We got to talking about this question of confidence and humility.  We talked about how maybe there is no difference between the two.  Or that perhaps humility is the root of confidence.  She liked that the root of the word humility is the same as the root of the word for human and for the Earth: humus.  She shared this story with me, which I have tracked down on Wikipedia, and is attributed to Rabbi Simcha Bunim Bonhart of Peshischa (1765–1827):

Everyone must have two pockets, with a note in each pocket, so that he or she can reach into the one or the other, depending on the need. When feeling lowly and depressed, discouraged or disconsolate, one should reach into the right pocket, and, there, find the words: "For my sake was the world created."  But when feeling high and mighty one should reach into the left pocket, and find the words: "I am but dust and ashes."