Their Grrrrrrrreat!

I recently have been thinking about what makes a person great. I’ve always wanted to be great at something, at anything, at everything (not necessarily in that order). I realized that I hadn’t given any thought to how I would know if I ever achieved “greatness” because I wasn’t sure what the definition of greatness is. Then as I began to ask people for their definitions of greatness I realized that opinions are like elbows (I’ve cleaned that up a little for those of you saying hey that’s not how the saying goes)…most people have one.

So, here is my stab at my definition/opinion of greatness:

Greatness should be measured by the quality of the life you lead not solely quantifiable measures. At first read that statement may appear to be one of convenience for those who have nothing to quantify, but please don’t let your tunnel vision hinder you from absorbing the concept. Some say that you are born with greatness. I believe we are all born with the capacity for greatness. However, I submit that greatness is something that you become and not something inherent. Greatness is in the lives you touch and the positive effect you have on those lives. It’s the reflection of your soul and spirit and how that which is on the inside is reflected on the outside. Greatness is the purity of the love you share and your capacity to be loved. Greatness lies in your dedication and your commitment. It lies in your words and your deeds…in your honesty with others and yourself. Greatness is in the grace with which you carry yourself. In being strong and knowing and acknowledging your weaknesses.

Greatness infers being first, being the best. We should all pursue being the best in life, but let’s start with being the best and first in love. Let us start with being the first and best at moral excellence. Let us start with being the first and best at generosity. Let us pursue something greater than the expansion of our bank accounts, or the size of houses, or the numbers of vehicles in our driveways. Greatness goes beyond our fitness for an episode of Cribs. Let us allow quality rather than quantity to guide us in our decisions and to shape our lives. Let us constantly and consistently pursue improvement in all things physical, mental, and spiritual…accepting the necessary struggle and extending our vision to the finish line and not narrowly focus on the ground immediately ahead.

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." 
 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.