I’m addicted to the Bravo Network’s reality show, The Real Housewives of New York.

Yeah.

I am.

Ever since last spring’s first season, I’ve been hooked like a swordfish. Season 2 is now, as we so affectionately say in the ‘hood, “on and poppin’.” All the veteran gals are, for the most part, their usual witty, socialite selves. In the same “fashion,” Kelly Bensimon, the newest housewife, is gorgeous, talented and well-connected. She’s a bombshell—mentally and physically. Except that…well…she’s a little self-absorbed. She wrote on her blog:

I have been a model since I was 16, and I know a lot of people in the fashion industry. I graduated from Columbia University with a BA while I was modeling and was one of the editors who started GOTHAM magazine. After writing a book on American fashion called American Style (a portion of the proceeds are donated to the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art), an exploration of American fashion from the turn of the century to now, to start the magazine ELLE Accessories, the first off spring of ELLE magazine. I love to support my friends in the fashion industry, and all aspects of fashion have been a big part of my adult life, as my ex-husband is one of the most well known fashion photographers in the world and was the Publication Director of ELLE magazine.

I mean, it’s not like Kelly doesn’t have it going on. Girlfriend is fierce! Nonetheless, her habit of trumpeting her accomplishments turns off many…primarily fellow housewife, (she’s actually single and childless) Bethany, who wrote on her blog that

[Kelly] wanted to let the audience know just how important she is, when the audience is smart enough to figure that out for themselves.

A recent Real Housewives episode reminded me of an article that I read yesterday, So Humble. In it, Jason Boyett shares his struggle with pride and offers three steps to remaining humble:

1. Show genuine gratitude when praised.

2. Remember that humility is an action.

3. Put others first.

And while I’m not the best example on meekness, God has shown me a thing or two…the hard way! Here’s my list on ways to remain level-headed:

1. Bring up accomplishments only when asked or if they fit directly into a conversation.

Shameless plugs are as clumsy as Warren Sapp on Dancing with the Stars (okay, so I only watched to poke fun of him). Self-praise is never graceful. Instead, it brings your good-people-skills barometer down a notch. Try speaking of your abilities only when probed or if the example adds to a conversation in a practical, demonstrative way.

2. Add qualifiers like “by the grace of God” or “with Christ’s help” and genuinely mean it.

In other words, give God the glory. You have to really come from the heart, though. These leads mustn’t just be sophisticated little bridges to boasting. Sincerely aim to tell people how God has developed your talents or showed you what career path to take in life. Testify!

3. Go on a mission trip or outreach once a year, if not more frequently.

The best way to make sure that you maintain a healthy sense of self is to realize that you are special, but not better. Beware of having a false sense of pride. Refrain from bubbles—whether they be church cliques, intelligentsia, fashionistas, or socialites. Travel. Bless those who have it worse than you. This immersion will remind you that there are a lot more important things in the world than your possessions—degrees, garments and physical features included.

4. Write down one thing you do well. Now, write down the names of three people who do it better.

For some reason, I started humming a line from one of Beyonce’s songs…It goes “Don’t you ever get to thinking…you’re irreplaceable.” For every task that you do nicely, three other people do it marvelously. God can and will remove you if you become high-minded. Don’t believe me? Get out your Bible and study these two people—

1. Saul, Israel’s First King

2. Vashti, King Xerxes first wife