I started writing when I was young and was sure I was on the right path. Although I had some stories published it made me overconfident and I blundered into a publication deal with an author mill. It took the wind out of my "writing sales" for many years. Now, I've returned to writing with a thirst to learn more. Each time I read, I learn. Each time I write, I learn. My father once told me that only a fool thinks they have nothing left to learn. Thank you for sharing this, Idris.
Your father is surely a very wise man to have shared such a powerful truth with you. So glad you found your way back to the thirst to learn more and that you embrace lifelong learning. You are most welcome Nicholas. So pleased to have you here
I used to write like I had something to prove . I was trying to sound smart instead of being honest. Then I started writing like a student again, chasing truth instead of validation. Everything has started to change since then. This piece reminded me that humility doesn’t dim your voice; it purifies it. And reading The Potential Paradox helps me learn something new every week. Thank you for continuing to help us learn Idris Elijah!
Love how you put it, that humility doesn’t dim your voice; it purifies it. Couldn’t have said it more succinctly. So glad you learn something every week, it is one of my greatest pleasures in this world 🤗🙌🏾
Watching my daughter learn dance has been such a reminder of this. Kids don’t worry about looking perfect, they just try again until it clicks. Somewhere along the way, we lose that innocence and start pretending we have it all figured out. This issue reminded me that the most beautiful thing we can model as parents is the willingness to stay curious, ask for help and keep learning, no matter how old we get. Thank you for such a beautifully written piece on humility that I can share with my daughter Idris Elijah!!
You are exactly right, Maria. We truly do lose than innocences that allows us to do without the pressures of the day. No thoughts of perfection, what others might think, or where it might take us. Just the joy and love of doing the thing is all we need, and our children are great reminders of this. Love these takeaways and insights 🤗🙌🏾
I’ve been thinking a lot about this one. Humility really is the thread that runs through every stage of growth, especially creatively. Every time I’ve taken a step back and let myself be a student again, new doors opened. I think that’s why I connect so much with the idea of staying curious. It’s not about lowering your confidence. It’s about anchoring it in something real. I also love the “I don’t know yet” at the end and think that too would make a great t-shirt! Thank you Idris for sharing this topic in such a thoughtful way!
You are most welcome, Brian! Love your takeaways and insight here. Staying curious will help with humility for sure. Because you’re coming from a place of openness and not closeness due to thinking you know what you know and nothing more is needed.
As a musician, humility is everything. The moment I think I’ve “mastered” something, I stop hearing the music clearly. Every new chord progression, every offbeat lyric, every mix that doesn’t land right teaches me something. I’ve realized the best artists stay humble not because they lack confidence but because they never stop listening. Adele comes to mind as someone who has massive fame but often downplays her success, stays private and speaks with gratitude about her fans. Thank you Idris Elijah for reminding us all to stay humble and never stop learning!
Love that you reference Adele here. She is a great example of what we should strive for—such an amazing woman. Indeed, we must always listen with beginners ears. Great takeaways, Brooke. And you are most welcome 🤗
I started writing when I was young and was sure I was on the right path. Although I had some stories published it made me overconfident and I blundered into a publication deal with an author mill. It took the wind out of my "writing sales" for many years. Now, I've returned to writing with a thirst to learn more. Each time I read, I learn. Each time I write, I learn. My father once told me that only a fool thinks they have nothing left to learn. Thank you for sharing this, Idris.
Your father is surely a very wise man to have shared such a powerful truth with you. So glad you found your way back to the thirst to learn more and that you embrace lifelong learning. You are most welcome Nicholas. So pleased to have you here
Thank you very much.
I used to write like I had something to prove . I was trying to sound smart instead of being honest. Then I started writing like a student again, chasing truth instead of validation. Everything has started to change since then. This piece reminded me that humility doesn’t dim your voice; it purifies it. And reading The Potential Paradox helps me learn something new every week. Thank you for continuing to help us learn Idris Elijah!
Love how you put it, that humility doesn’t dim your voice; it purifies it. Couldn’t have said it more succinctly. So glad you learn something every week, it is one of my greatest pleasures in this world 🤗🙌🏾
Watching my daughter learn dance has been such a reminder of this. Kids don’t worry about looking perfect, they just try again until it clicks. Somewhere along the way, we lose that innocence and start pretending we have it all figured out. This issue reminded me that the most beautiful thing we can model as parents is the willingness to stay curious, ask for help and keep learning, no matter how old we get. Thank you for such a beautifully written piece on humility that I can share with my daughter Idris Elijah!!
You are exactly right, Maria. We truly do lose than innocences that allows us to do without the pressures of the day. No thoughts of perfection, what others might think, or where it might take us. Just the joy and love of doing the thing is all we need, and our children are great reminders of this. Love these takeaways and insights 🤗🙌🏾
I’ve been thinking a lot about this one. Humility really is the thread that runs through every stage of growth, especially creatively. Every time I’ve taken a step back and let myself be a student again, new doors opened. I think that’s why I connect so much with the idea of staying curious. It’s not about lowering your confidence. It’s about anchoring it in something real. I also love the “I don’t know yet” at the end and think that too would make a great t-shirt! Thank you Idris for sharing this topic in such a thoughtful way!
You are most welcome, Brian! Love your takeaways and insight here. Staying curious will help with humility for sure. Because you’re coming from a place of openness and not closeness due to thinking you know what you know and nothing more is needed.
As a musician, humility is everything. The moment I think I’ve “mastered” something, I stop hearing the music clearly. Every new chord progression, every offbeat lyric, every mix that doesn’t land right teaches me something. I’ve realized the best artists stay humble not because they lack confidence but because they never stop listening. Adele comes to mind as someone who has massive fame but often downplays her success, stays private and speaks with gratitude about her fans. Thank you Idris Elijah for reminding us all to stay humble and never stop learning!
Love that you reference Adele here. She is a great example of what we should strive for—such an amazing woman. Indeed, we must always listen with beginners ears. Great takeaways, Brooke. And you are most welcome 🤗