Not a humble Monkey

A couple times over the last week on a certain networking site, I've seen posts about the 7 Traits of "Real Men". I detest lists from former-Cosmo employees, but I generally agreed with most of them, save one: humility. Mind you, I have a long history with this word. Of people in positions of authority trying to cram it down my throat. Silly me, I want to understand why...

My dictionary defines humility as follows: "a modest or low view of one's own importance". And this is a good trait to have? It's not surprising to see the word modest used, which itself is defined as: "unassuming in the estimation of one's abilities or achievements." Modesty I can get behind; a view of one's abilities that lacks arrogance. But humility just seems like underselling yourself and I'm not sure I see the point in that. Ergo, a "real" man has a low view of his own importance? Really?

Not surprisingly, I have a theory about humility and why it's valued. Because sheeple are petty and insecure. These people can't stand the idea of someone being better than them in some aspect; they feel threatened and will frequently react with hostility. News flash! There are people who are prettier, smarter, faster, and... oh yeah... sometimes just plain better than you.

On a completely unrelated note, my IQ puts me at the low end of "highly gifted". Not a genius, but smarter than the average bear. Any reaction to that? What if I gave you the actual number? Probably not, as most of the people I know (and who might actually read this blog) are not only fairly bright too but seem secure in themselves enough to not be threatened. But I've encountered people who can't ignore my intelligence and have treated me poorly as a result.

I was asked once: "You think you're smart, don't you?" My answer: "I am smart." Was I bragging? No, just answering the question as accurately as I could (not that I'm compulsive about answering questions at all... nope). To me, it's not an opinion but a piece of information with (frankly) a wealth of evidentiary support. Where does humility play into that question? Should I have answered: "Well, gee whiz, I'd like to think so!", followed by a Goofy laugh? What value is there in that answer?

So by putting my IQ out there, by refusing to obscure my intelligence... do I lack humility? Probably. Am I not a real man? Ask my wife. Either way, it's an unassuming estimation of my abilities, as that number came from some standardized test I took in 2nd grade, not from me. But I'm proud that I lack humility. I've worked hard to develop whatever innate abilities and acquire the skills I have, to the extent I have, and I fully intend to own every one of them. And frankly, if I were humble and downplayed my skills, I'd be someone else entirely... not the useful AND ornamental Monkey you know and love.

And finally, ladies, make no mistake: You will never look twice at a man who doesn't think he's important or that he matters. Confidence has won you over at some point and will continue to do so again and again. So please enough with the lists describing "real" men... we know who we are and don't need a list to confirm it.

~NCMSW?