20 ways to be humble

1. They forgot about you? They didn't even call you? - It's okay. And above all, don't complain.

2. They wronged you? - Forget it.

3. They despised you? - Be happy.

4. They accuse you? - Don't argue.

5. They make fun of you? - Don't answer.

6. They curse at you? - Silence and pray.

7. They take away your speech? They interrupt you? - Don't be sad.

8. They badmouth you? - Don't fight back.

9. Do your children pass on responsibilities to you? Your relatives, your own people? - Don't complain.

10. They get angry with you? - Stay calm.

11. They steal from you openly? - Turn a blind eye.

12. Are they mocking you? - Be patient.

13. Are they not listening to your advice? Are your children especially not listening to your advice? - Get on your knees and pray.

14. Irritation in your marriage? - It's your fault. It's your fault too. Not the other person.

15. Were you at fault? - Apologize.

16. Were you not at fault? - Apologize again.

17. Are you healthy? - Praise God.

18. Are you sick? Do you have cancer, are you suffering, are you tormented, are you in pain? - Praise God.

19. Grumbling, unemployment, poverty in the house? - Fast. Be vigilant. Pray.

20. For everyone and for everything, prayer. Much prayer. Much prayer. Fasting and prayer because "this kind of passions and demons do not come out except by fasting and prayer."

I teach Elder Gabriel of Mount Athos

 1) I lost everything except what I gave.

2) Nothing is mine when it is only for myself.

3) The hands of a beggar are better than the hands of a miser.

4) Do you want to be poor, both you and I? Hoard!

5) Do you want to be poor? Steal and work on Sundays.

6) Do you want to have abundance? Scatter!

7) Do you want to be a beggar? Store!

8) Do you want to die of hunger? Close your eyes and ears to human pain and human misery!

9) Joy to the eyes that weep for someone else who is in pain, because these eyes will see the good of heaven!

10) Joy in the hands that dress little children and orphans, because these hands will become wings to fly high!!

11) Joy in the mouth that speaks sweet words of comfort, because this mouth will sing with the angels hosanna!!

12) Joy in the house that opens the door to the passerby, because this door opens to the Virgin Mary and to Christ!!

13) We were born and exist on this planet Earth to glorify God and offer Love and Joy to others!!

14) The greatest joy we know in life is the joy we feel when we give joy!!

 

Elder Gabriel of Mount Athos

Fasting of the stomach is abstinence from food;

 

Fasting of the stomach is abstinence from food;

fasting of the tongue is abstinence from lewdness;

fasting of the eyes is abstinence from indecency;

fasting of the hands is abstinence from injustice;

fasting of the heart is abstinence from evil thoughts.

Perfect fasting is abstinence from all evil.

If you fast physically, but with your tongue you speak evil, you have become like one who cuts a tree from the root and expects fruit from its branches.

✝️Saint Isaac the Syrian.

“My body needs nourishment, not indulgence;

 “My body needs nourishment, not indulgence;

moderation, not abundance;

self-sufficiency, not luxury.

For these benefit both soul and body and grant health, strength, and well-being.

Otherwise, health is ruined and dreadful, pain-filled diseases arise.”

— Saint Isidore of Pelusium

Spiritual Counsels of Blessed Gerontissa Galaktia Kanakaki of Crete

Blessed Gerontissa Galaktia of Crete was known for her simplicity, humility, and profound discernment. Her words were not many, yet they were filled with grace and practical wisdom, guiding souls toward repentance, silence, and love for God. Her counsels reflect the spirit of inner watchfulness and hidden virtue that characterizes authentic Orthodox ascetic life.

- “The tongue is the devil’s best friend.”

- “You need four things: love, humility, silence, and secret almsgiving.”

- “Confess properly, so that the devil may have no hold over you.”

- “Let us not slander others, lest God expose our own sins when He comes again.”

- “Pray the Jesus Prayer — ‘Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me’ — but also invoke the Holy Trinity. I pray in this way: ‘Father, forgive me; Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me; Holy Spirit, enlighten me.’”

- “Whoever fears to sin fears nothing else.”

(For the one who truly fears sin is freed from every other fear.)