Humility is living without puffing up or shrinking down

Puffing up consists in attributing to yourself more than there is, needing superiority, or placing your achievements at the center. Shrinking down consists in denying abilities, rejecting true praise, or hiding so as not to take on what you could contribute. Humility avoids both movements because it prefers reality. It recognizes received gifts, concrete limits, the help of others, and one's own mistakes. It does not need to manufacture a brilliant version or a miserable version. From that truth you can serve with greater freedom. You use an ability without asking for admiration, and you accept an important task without pretending you are incapable. You also leave room for others. Humility does not reduce your size: it allows you to occupy the real, complete, and shared place that belongs to you.