Closer to the Earth, Closer to Ourselves: A Reflection on Humility
Humility is one of my favorite words.
And one I wish we could see more valued in our world.
Humility brings us closer to others, to the Earth, and to ourselves.
Do you know the Root of the Word?
The word humility comes from the Latin humilitas, rooted in humus — the soil.
Close to the soil. Close to the Earth.
Isn’t that beautiful?
When we remember where the word comes from, we remember where we come from too.
What the Earth Can Teach Us
How much better could we live if we stayed more in touch with the soil that provides our food, air, water, and beauty?
How different would life feel — the way we treat nature, others, and even ourselves?
We wouldn’t dare to disrespect the Earth if we truly felt connected to it.
To be close to the Earth is to learn humility — to accept that we’re part of something greater, something alive that breathes beneath our feet.
And right now, in this chapter of our history — especially in the Western world — we need that wisdom more than ever.
We’ve grown distant from the Earth, and in many ways, from our own roots.
The Modern Meaning of Humility
I see humility connected more to the capacity of listening more than speaking.
It’s the strength of someone who keeps learning,
who walks through life with a light step, leaving space for others to walk too.
In a culture that often rewards competition, noise, and speed,
humility brings us back to what makes us human:
respect, empathy, vulnerability.
There’s beauty in saying I don’t know.
In apologizing when we’re wrong.
In allowing life to soften us instead of hardening us.
Reconnecting with Our Roots
I think to be humble is to remember our place in the circle of life.
To recognize that every act of care — for the Earth, for others, for ourselves — begins with awareness.
At The Natural App, we believe that reconnecting with nature also means reconnecting with our roots — and with the values that make us human.
Caring for the planet starts with how we show up in the world:
with curiosity instead of certainty,
gratitude instead of entitlement,
presence instead of hurry.
A Simple Thought to Leave You With:
next time you touch the soil, remember that it is humus and that we are not above nature but we are part of it.