That’s a great question—because for something to truly humble you, there has to be some pride or ego there to begin with.
For me, it was when we were sent to a hurricane-struck third-world country to provide aid. I used to work on helicopters. We spent 60 grueling days there—12 hours on, 12 hours off—living and working inside a crumbling aircraft hangar. It was exhausting, miserable, and felt endless.
Then, just as we were preparing to leave, the owner of the hangar—the same broken-down place we’d been stuck in—showed up and said something like, “We will never forget that you left your families to come and help ours.”
That moment hit hard. All the frustration, the fatigue—it just melted into something else entirely. I’ll never forget it.
When you’re fumbling around trying to do something; and someone with more ability comes in to help you, and finishes the job in minutes. But I don’t feel angry or jealous of them; I fee humbled, and in awe and admiration of their ability, and I try to watch what they do, and learn whatever I can.
Flying…. like when the wheels leave the ground and you gain altitude and watch your own daily perspective just totally transform to a totally different viewpoint.
Just minding my own business and a deceased person in public. I’ve seen two in the last 12 or so months, the second one being only yesterday. How your entire life can change in a split second
Having a near-death experience caught in a lightning storm on an alpine lake and realizing just how mighty the forces of nature are…as well as how unreliable the weather report can be
Having to ask for a sub total whilst doing the groceries. Admittedly this was in the days before you could see the total on the screen, thankfully self serve helps you to see when you reach your limit of what you can afford without being embarrassed
When you teach a kid how to do something new, and they pick it up right away. We’re all born primed to learn–sometimes it seems like the older we get, the more pre-existing knowledge of similar tasks gets in the way of us engaging with a new task directly. There’s such a strong desire to weave new information into our pre-existing knowledge web, which reinforces memories but takes us out of the moment.
We puzzle over reasons and explanations for what we’re seeing in front of us, instead of just recognizing the result and trying something differently next time to see what happens. We try to turn everything into theory, which can lead to analysis paralysis.
Teaching a kid how to do something new, though? They’re 100% in the zone, and are excellent experimentalists. It reminds me that experimentalists and theorists are the two halves of science for a reason, and that it’s important not to lose sight of that other half as we get older and wiser.
Walking along and tripping (or almost tripping) on a flat surface and then doing that little pretend to half jog/walk thing while looking down to see what you “tripped” over.
I don’t care how much you don’t think you care what other people think of you, but in that moment you feel like EVERYONE is watching and laughing at you 🤣
My English is pretty good (2nd language), I can easily read novels in English for example.
…Unless they’re written by Sir Terry Pratchett (GNU)! With his works I’ll settle for translations to my native
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Opening my front camera by accident
Hearing about any life situtation or past moldable, traumatic experience of anyone else that is worse than mine.
Realizing someone else is going through something much heavier than you ever imagined, and they’re still being kind.
Elaborately thinking about Jesus’ crucifixion
Feeling my cat stretch while she lays on me and gets comfortable. I aspire to be that level of chill and comfy.
Choking on my own spit
That’s a great question—because for something to truly humble you, there has to be some pride or ego there to begin with.
For me, it was when we were sent to a hurricane-struck third-world country to provide aid. I used to work on helicopters. We spent 60 grueling days there—12 hours on, 12 hours off—living and working inside a crumbling aircraft hangar. It was exhausting, miserable, and felt endless.
Then, just as we were preparing to leave, the owner of the hangar—the same broken-down place we’d been stuck in—showed up and said something like, “We will never forget that you left your families to come and help ours.”
That moment hit hard. All the frustration, the fatigue—it just melted into something else entirely. I’ll never forget it.
got the best grade in a class test … knowing everyone else isnt that good
Sitting at the beach and watching the sea. Thats when you realize the tinyness of your existence and your problems
Unemployment
Having a seizure in public lol. I’ve had many moments
When you’re fumbling around trying to do something; and someone with more ability comes in to help you, and finishes the job in minutes. But I don’t feel angry or jealous of them; I fee humbled, and in awe and admiration of their ability, and I try to watch what they do, and learn whatever I can.
Seeing someone stay strong and keep moving forward, even when life keeps throwing challenges their way.
First month in college, used to being to of our class in every school, then meeting students who are far more intelligent that you will ever be.
Flying…. like when the wheels leave the ground and you gain altitude and watch your own daily perspective just totally transform to a totally different viewpoint.
Looking at a baby
Getting punched in the face.
Seeing someone who has way less than me, still being kind and generous.
Cop lights
Just minding my own business and a deceased person in public. I’ve seen two in the last 12 or so months, the second one being only yesterday. How your entire life can change in a split second
Having a near-death experience caught in a lightning storm on an alpine lake and realizing just how mighty the forces of nature are…as well as how unreliable the weather report can be
Calisthenics.
Almost all of it almost every workout.
Grief
Being fired, ESPECIALLY in this economy.
Having to ask for a sub total whilst doing the groceries. Admittedly this was in the days before you could see the total on the screen, thankfully self serve helps you to see when you reach your limit of what you can afford without being embarrassed
Lateral raises. Because no matter how much you can lift in the gym, lateral raises will always be less than the rest
Falling off a boat in front of my crush
Being asked to strip at a doctor’s appointment.
Failing at succeeding at things you thought success is certain.
when you forget your phone charger traveling and or you need a passport and you have to order a copy of your passport for the third time
I didn’t think my bf could do a cartwheel. He took me outside and did 2.
Deeply humbled. Mhmm.
Experiencing the love of my 7 year old son.
Realizing your parents were doing their best… with way less than you have now.
When you teach a kid how to do something new, and they pick it up right away. We’re all born primed to learn–sometimes it seems like the older we get, the more pre-existing knowledge of similar tasks gets in the way of us engaging with a new task directly. There’s such a strong desire to weave new information into our pre-existing knowledge web, which reinforces memories but takes us out of the moment.
We puzzle over reasons and explanations for what we’re seeing in front of us, instead of just recognizing the result and trying something differently next time to see what happens. We try to turn everything into theory, which can lead to analysis paralysis.
Teaching a kid how to do something new, though? They’re 100% in the zone, and are excellent experimentalists. It reminds me that experimentalists and theorists are the two halves of science for a reason, and that it’s important not to lose sight of that other half as we get older and wiser.
watching physical 100
Seeing workers under the heat (specially in the UAE)
Walking along and tripping (or almost tripping) on a flat surface and then doing that little pretend to half jog/walk thing while looking down to see what you “tripped” over.
I don’t care how much you don’t think you care what other people think of you, but in that moment you feel like EVERYONE is watching and laughing at you 🤣
My English is pretty good (2nd language), I can easily read novels in English for example.
…Unless they’re written by Sir Terry Pratchett (GNU)! With his works I’ll settle for translations to my native
Every time I train martial arts.
The fart that unexpectedly becomes a shart. Whatever confidence you’ve got vanishes in an instant.
I very much informed two high-level executives from a large tobacco company how their product was being used to make blunts.
They leaned into it, “Wait, what!?” As I continued to explain the process of rolling a blunt as they began chuckling.
I did a lot more listening than speaking from there on out.
thinking someone waved at me in the street and waving back only to find out they weren’t looking at me
Going out to a gay club and being hit on by neither gender :/