Great words here from the authors of the Egonomics blog:

During [yesterday's Virginia Tech] assembly, Dr. Nikki Giovanni, Professor of English at the University, delivered a powerful poem. One line of that poem read: “We are better than we think, and not quite what we want to be.” That is a near perfectpainting of humility. Humility reminds us how far we have come, and at the same time how far we have yet to go. Our progress, and the difference we can make whether measured individually or collectively, largely rests on ourdevelopment of that one trait. If we miss the first or last phrase in the poetic line from Dr. Giovanni, then we fail to understand the real power of humility. Our prayers and thoughts are with those student’s families, friends, and everyone affected by a tragedy that there is no language or vocabulary to adequately describe.

I agree. The challenge of authentic humility, I think, is to balance courage and compassion at the same time. It is a high calling and a worthwhile challenge.