When feeling "less-than" can grow humility

"What gives life to both the tree and its branches is the root, as long as that root is planted in the soil of humility.

Humility is the governess and wet nurse of the love into which the branch of discernment is grafted."
--Catherine of Siena, Dialogue

Humility is the soil of love, discernment and wisdom.  When our lives are rooted in humility, we produce life-giving fruit of wisdom to all around us.


Humility is a confusing concept to me.  It is disregarded in our culture for the most past as passivity or a lack of self-assertiveness.  What is real humility?
And how do we discern between a humble spirit and a "shut-down" spirit?

I had an encounter the other day in which I left feeling like less than the person that I am.  In my effort to listen and to be present to the other person, I refrained from being who I really am in order not to make that person uncomfortable.  I left the conversation feeling very small, like a shell of myself.  I had listened well and gently, but in seeking humility (not wanting to sound like I was "further along the journey" than the other), I was present in that encounter as less-than I am.

Is this humility or passivity?  Discernment or keeping myself too small?

Regards of what happened, it certainly is plowing humility into my heart.  Regardless of how I am present at times,  the reality of being thought as small or less does certainly work the soil of heart for a spirit of humility. If I do not allow bitterness to grow, but instead, accept the reality that it is all God.  And from encounters where I hold back (for whatever reason), am misrepresented or misunderstood, or are seen as small and less-than, all of these can serve great worth in cultivating my soul for humility.