Walk with humility
In Sura Isra (17:37) Allah says: Do not strut arrogantly about the earth, you cannot break it open, nor match the mountains in height.
We live in a culture which encourages self aggrandization and promotes "struting our stuff". This ayat reminds us that such arrogance in thinking and self congratulatory behaviour is not compatible with leading a spiritual life.
Scholars explain that insolence, or arrogance, or undue elation at our powers or capacities, is the first step to many evils. Pride as the old saying is, goes before a fall. Pride and arrogance keeps our focus on ourselves and prevent us from seeing the big picture and from connecting to others in service. It also gives us a very skewed perspective of our own importance and leads us to devalue others.
In order to keep our balance and perspective, we need to remind ourselves that all our gifts and talents are His Grace and they carry a responsibility of serving a bigger purpose.
The verse also reminds us that what goes on in our heads in the shape of thoughts of power or greatness (thinking that we are "too cool" and that our blessings are a result of our efforts rather than as a result of His Grace) leads to a feeling of pride in our hearts and eventually shows up in our actions and as body language suggesting arrogance.
In order to regain perspective of our role in the greater scheme of things, the verse alludes to the glory of nature. By connecting to His Glory through reflections on the awesomeness of the natural world, such as the height of the mountains and the vastness of this glorious earth, it helps keeping our own significance in check.
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