"A HUMBLE BEGINNING CREATES A GREAT FUTURE"

     Being teachable, showing appreciation for the qualities and contributions of others, and being willing to see oneself honestly are all characteristics of humility[1]. But why do humble people learn from their mistakes better? Humble people are open to seeing themselves honestly and value criticism. True humble people think well of themselves and have a good sense of who they are, but they also are aware of their mistakes, gaps in their knowledge, and imperfections. Most importantly, they are content without being the center of attention or getting praised for their accomplishments.

In our everyday lives, we crossed paths with different kinds of people unaware of their past. At work or school, we get to see their familiar faces every day without getting to know who they are.

Just like the seemingly ordinary, hardworking janitor, who more often than not is easily overlooked because of his humble job. But little did people know that he has a secret past so great that he is considered a hero.

You only get to meet a few people who have done heroic acts in the past, especially during World War II. By his courage, William Crawford singlehandedly facilitated the advance of his platoon mates through the battlefield by silently crawling forward and throwing a grenade to destroy two high-caliber enemy weapons as well as neutralizing the enemy crew around it.

Meanwhile, he was captured by the enemy and declared dead. His heroic deeds instantly spread out. His father even received a Medal of Valor on his behalf. Subsequently, he returned unharmed.

His past is almost too incredible. In the late 1960s, he started working as a janitor at the USAF academy in Colorado. He works hard to keep the building clean. Taking care of everything from emptying the trash to cleaning the bathrooms.

So much being humble, he was often overlooked by the people around him. However, one day a curious USAF cadet James Moschgat was reading a book. In that book was a picture of a man who resembled his squadron janitor. Moschgat shared this with the other cadets and confirmed the story with Crawford who replied positively. When asked why he did not talk about it, Crawford said, "That was one day in my life and it happened a long time ago."[3] The word spread with newly formed respect for Crawford.

This story serves as a powerful inspiration and an eye-opener to everyone that by being humble, respect from people is proudly earned. Yet, by being boastful, respect is only given.

REFLECTION:

     Humility is a key trait that allows individuals to learn from their mistakes and grow as individuals. By being teachable, showing appreciation for the qualities and contributions of others, and being willing to see oneself honestly, individuals can become more humble.  humble people are open to seeing themselves honestly and value criticism. 

     True humble people have a good sense of who they are, but they are also aware of their mistakes, gaps in their knowledge, and imperfections. They understand that they are not perfect and that there is always room for improvement. They are willing to listen to constructive feedback and learn from their mistakes, which allows them to develop a growth mindset. Most importantly, humble individuals are content without being the center of attention or getting praised for their accomplishments. They are motivated by the desire to do good and help others, rather than seeking personal glory. This allows them to focus on what is truly important and become more effective leaders, team members, and individuals.

     In our everyday lives, we often cross paths with various people without knowing their full story. Whether it's at work, school, or in the community, we may see their familiar faces every day, but not truly understand who they are or what they've accomplished. Take, for example, the seemingly ordinary janitor, who is often overlooked due to the humble nature of their job. But what many don't know is that this janitor may have a secret past, filled with heroic acts and incredible achievements.

     It's not often that we meet people who have done truly heroic deeds, particularly those who fought in World War II. One such person was William Crawford, who showed immense courage in facilitating the advance of his platoon mates through the battlefield. He did so by silently crawling forward and throwing a grenade to destroy two high-caliber enemy weapons, as well as neutralizing the enemy crew around it. Despite being captured by the enemy and declared dead, Crawford's heroic deeds quickly spread. His father even received a Medal of Valor on his behalf. Eventually, Crawford returned home unharmed, his incredible acts of heroism forever etched in history

   MR. William Crawford's incredible past and humble present serve as an inspiration to us all. His heroic deeds during World War II, for which his father received a Medal of Valor on his behalf, instantly spread out and gained him much-deserved recognition. Subsequently, he returned unharmed and started working as a janitor at the USAF academy in Colorado in the late 1960s. Despite his heroic past, he humbly carried out his janitorial duties, often being overlooked by those around him.

     It was not until a curious USAF Cadet, James Moschgat, noticed a picture in a book that resembled Crawford and confirmed the story with him, that the word of his past spread throughout the academy. Crawford's response to why he had never spoken about his past was simple, "That was one day in my life and it happened a long time ago." This act of humility and lack of self-promotion only served to further earn respect from those around him.

     This story serves as a powerful reminder that by being humble, we can earn the respect of others. It is a testament to the fact that our past does not define who we are or who we will become, and that we should never underestimate the impact that our actions may have on those around us.

References:

Wikipedia contributors. (2023, January 19). Humility. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humility

Wikipedia contributors. (2022b, August 8). William J. Crawford. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_J._Crawford#/media/File:William_J._Crawford.jpg