(a 4 minute read) Cody and Bailey deep in discussion about who’s on 1^st, what’s on 2^nd. They were belly giggling that they are using this skit as a metaphor for their discussion. It was hilarious and sobering all at the same time.

Bailey:   Look if I do not place myself 1^st then I must be on 2^nd or even 3^rd for that matter! Right?

Cody:    The who’s on 1^st metaphor is so applicable when we’re trying to identify what comes 2^nd. Much of Humility fulcrums on coming 2^nd, and if I am on 2^nd, then someone else is on 1^st!!

Bailey:   I’d say it is pretty much just like that

Cody:    That’s what I used to think but I’ve come to discover that NOT coming 1^st has nothing to do with placing myself second, with emphasis on ‘placing’

Bailey:   It is hard enough to NOT place ME 1^st and you’re now telling me there is more!!

Cody:    I am saying there is a difference that is crucial if one wants to grasp understand even recognize humility

Bailey:   You’d better explain as I am already lost

Although Bailey was about to check out of this conversation, Cody’s leaning into the table and excitement pulled Bailey back into it

Cody:    OK OK, let me see if I can do this. “ME 1^st” is about being selfish so here’s a 1-10 yard stick of Selfish on one end and Mother Teresa Sacrificial (MTS) on the other end;

Selfish  ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___   MTS
1     2    3    4     5    6    7     8   9   10

So if I am not selfish, guess what, I have jumped off the 1^st position and now I am on the 2^nd. How about we identify #2 as “ungenerous”. Now keep in mind there is still
3, 4, 5………. and so on

Bailey jumped in; “I ain’t never gonna be a mother Teresa!

Cody:    Me neither my friend, me neither. Ever! But does that mean I am satisfied with “ungenerous”!? Would you?

Bailey timidly bashfully and reserved replied, “I see the point you are trying to make!”

Cody:    So let’s say #4 is “mindful of others”. I think this is like “considerate” of others. That would be the first step in PLACING ONESELF 2^nd.

Bailey:   I’d say I am a considerate person!!

Cody loving on Bailey smiled and reaching out across the table
placed an arm on Bailey’s shoulder and said;

I used to think that of myself then I asked myself the following questions;

If I am rushing into a place to meet a friend, am I aware of the next person also
rushing in?
And if I am, do I consider them and open the door to allow them in before me?

Turning right; am I signaling just cause, or am I looking in the rear view mirror                  to consider how  far the person behind me is and what’s ‘good’ for them to                            realize that I will turn soon?

If I am in a line and the person in front of meet is chit chatting with the cashier                  as they check out and taking too long, do I making a “can you believe that                              person” to the cashier when it’s my turn, or do I smile kindly to the cashier and                  maybe say something like; “That was adorable”.

Bailey:   STOP STOP you call these being considerate at #4!? That’s a lot of work Cody!!

Cody:    Indeed it is and without WORK THOUGHT CONSIDERATION we remain at #2 “ungenerous” and it is for sure NOT selfish, but I know you Bailey, and I know you want to be better than “ungenerous”

Bailey:   You are killing me Cody …….. This nudge feels like an annoying
shallow almost stabbing Cody……

Cody chuckled loudly knowing full well that Bailey is getting it

Cody:    My dear Bailey, we always hear that it is about the JOURNEY and not the DESTINATION. We both know we ain’t gonna be Mother Teresa but that knowledge should empower enable aid and support us as we JOURNEY on to become #4!!!
OR EVEN BETTER 🙂

My God and my Creator, i ask that i never settle on position #2 or #3 on that Yard Stick from Selfish to MTS. i pray to remind myself that accepting #2 is to SETTLE at “I am not selfish”. Rather to JOURNEY is what i need to do. JOURNEYING takes work, and the motto “It works if you work it, then work it” is the mantra that i keep hearing You whisper to me. May i be strong enough confident enough assertive enough resilient enough and insistent enough to JOURNEY on and on and on. May i remind myself that You are emphasizing that these attributes listed above are key to be humble enough to examine where i am at, and PLACE myself second over and over again throughout each day that I live. i love You and thank You my loving Maker for Your patience and Your steadfastness in trying to hold me up as i JUORNEY. Amen.