William Shakespeare wrote: "Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them."
Why not be great? Why be afraid of it? Can someone such as I be great? According to Shakespeare we shouldn't be afraid of it because we will have the opportunity one way or another to bring it out.
Nelson Mandela felt very much the same way:"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous [or great]? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God.... There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do.... And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
As we pick apart these quotes, we realize how similar the idea of greatness is between the two legends Mandela and Shakespeare. Confident, motivational, upbeat - the characteristics that define them. What about great? I would consider it so. Neither one was afraid of greatness. Attribute #1 - Don't be afraid of greatness.
Attribute #2 - Overcome adversity. After being incarcerated off Cape Town, Mandela never once compromised his personal views just to be set free. He was imprisoned for the better part of 26 years. What did he do when was finally set free? He went back to work to achieve his life's goals and continue to fight for what he believed in.
But I think there is one attribute of greatness that we can learn from these two historic men and especially their quotes that will help us better understand how we ourselves can be great. "And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." As we combine the first two attributes - overcome fear and adversity - we have achieved something great. But not necessarily greatness. Greatness comes afterward and includes the way we use it to affect others' lives. Now let me be clear: I don't believe it's necessary to be in the public square or on television or famous to make a difference in many people's lives. After having conquered self - adversity and fear - we must help others through their own journey, the same journey; most importantly being those who surround us on a daily basis, and with an extra effort even to those without our inner circle.
Attribute #3 - Help others in their own process of attributes #1 and #2. Overcoming oneself is only half of greatness, while helping others to achieve greatness is the second half.
I think it appropriate to add from the words of the greatest man that ever lived - Jesus Christ. "But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant."
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Nazis?
Greatness. What is it? The definition of greatness has limitless boundaries. One person could interpret it as a piece of art, literature, deeds, and the list is exponentially growing. Where is it? Greatness is everywhere. The true question is, "Is it ever noticed or acknowledged?" Often times, greatness is overlooked. What needs to be done to achieve, "Greatness"?
While brainstorming for this assignment, one thought was the emails Sister Cowley had shown us between her husband and a friend of his. I specially remember her starting her email, "I'm at Snow College. I'm pretty sure I have a C in my Biology class which is great for me!" In that case, what may be an average not too special grade to anyone else was exceptional for her! Greatness varies per person and is not always clearly defined.
We all think our families are great, right? We love them and they mean the world to us. Some may think, "My family is the best!" Are all families great or only our own family? Of course, everyone thinks their own family is great but I'm pretty sure everyone does not think that everyone else's families are great. The reason for that might be because everyone does not have perspective into the lives of other families.
Greatness depends on how many people are affected by something and in what way. For example, Martin Luther King was great because of how he forever affected his own and future generations in a positive manner. However, on the other side of the spectrum, Hitler was not great. Although he affected many people, it was in a horrible and negative manner.
Through my examples, I have given several different ways of interpreting, "Greatness". Greatness can be defined based on how it impacts the audience and what others' opinions and perceptions are.
While brainstorming for this assignment, one thought was the emails Sister Cowley had shown us between her husband and a friend of his. I specially remember her starting her email, "I'm at Snow College. I'm pretty sure I have a C in my Biology class which is great for me!" In that case, what may be an average not too special grade to anyone else was exceptional for her! Greatness varies per person and is not always clearly defined.
We all think our families are great, right? We love them and they mean the world to us. Some may think, "My family is the best!" Are all families great or only our own family? Of course, everyone thinks their own family is great but I'm pretty sure everyone does not think that everyone else's families are great. The reason for that might be because everyone does not have perspective into the lives of other families.
Greatness depends on how many people are affected by something and in what way. For example, Martin Luther King was great because of how he forever affected his own and future generations in a positive manner. However, on the other side of the spectrum, Hitler was not great. Although he affected many people, it was in a horrible and negative manner.
Through my examples, I have given several different ways of interpreting, "Greatness". Greatness can be defined based on how it impacts the audience and what others' opinions and perceptions are.
It's All Relative
What is greatness? My mind recoils as it spins and spins like the wheel of death on a dying Mac computer screen. It’s working really hard, but getting nowhere. It’s impossible to put a finger on how great something is because: It's all relative. I know, it's not the answer that you wanted to hear, but it's the correct answer. It's the entire answer.
The first thing we must consider in determining what is great is to decide what is something great at. For example, Barry Bonds was a great baseball player, Donald Trump is great at being rich and Tiger Woods is great at golfing. We must recognize that in order to evaluate greatness, we usually have to choose a single aspect to evaluate.
Being great at something doesn’t have to be a positive thing either. Barry Bonds is great at taking steroids, and Donald Trump is great at making a fool of himself and Tiger’s great at being unfaithful to his (now ex-) wife. When we view them in this light, we might reconsider how we define “greatness.”
This gets even more complicated though, depending on who is doing the evaluating. What is great to one person certainly does not have to be great to another. For example many people think that the Twilight book series is really great. For others, the books are among those works of “literature” Dorothy Parker was referring to when she said, “This is not a novel to be tossed aside lightly. It should be thrown with great force.”
Our minds have been shaped through our experience ever since we were born and perhaps even before then, if you believe in that sort of thing. I certainly do. We all value different things, which makes the various definitions of greatness as unique and varied as human beings are.
It blows my mind as much as Einstein’s theory of relativity does. Maybe this would make more sense if we were all going the speed of light.
The first thing we must consider in determining what is great is to decide what is something great at. For example, Barry Bonds was a great baseball player, Donald Trump is great at being rich and Tiger Woods is great at golfing. We must recognize that in order to evaluate greatness, we usually have to choose a single aspect to evaluate.
Being great at something doesn’t have to be a positive thing either. Barry Bonds is great at taking steroids, and Donald Trump is great at making a fool of himself and Tiger’s great at being unfaithful to his (now ex-) wife. When we view them in this light, we might reconsider how we define “greatness.”
This gets even more complicated though, depending on who is doing the evaluating. What is great to one person certainly does not have to be great to another. For example many people think that the Twilight book series is really great. For others, the books are among those works of “literature” Dorothy Parker was referring to when she said, “This is not a novel to be tossed aside lightly. It should be thrown with great force.”
Our minds have been shaped through our experience ever since we were born and perhaps even before then, if you believe in that sort of thing. I certainly do. We all value different things, which makes the various definitions of greatness as unique and varied as human beings are.
It blows my mind as much as Einstein’s theory of relativity does. Maybe this would make more sense if we were all going the speed of light.
The Inner Battle
Do you know why greatness is so difficult to achieve? It’s not because you have to rise above everyone else and all other expectations, although in many cases this is done anyway. Greatness is difficult to achieve because it goes against our nature.
For example, in our minds, greatness may come from power and conquest, great skills in leading, fighting, intelligence, etc… These are qualities that many men and women covet, working their entire lives to obtain just a small part. Greatness doesn’t require these; it requires courage, a silent courage that no one will acknowledge. Atticus from Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird conveys this quality. While Scout can beat up any boy in her grade, her father teaches her that fighting isn’t right. Even though Atticus is the best shot in the town, he never picks up a rifle or uses it for any reason unless it is absolutely necessary. He never shows off and he never, never lifts a hand unless necessary. Although some people and even his children don’t see his greatness, it’s there, the quiet control over oneself.
True greatness is rarely witnessed and rarely recognized. It comes from the small acts that we are constantly reminded of: choosing forgiveness over revenge, kindness instead of apathy, humility over pride, etc… These are the qualities that will separate us. Strange how the real heroes in our lives are the normal people around us, our parents, the person who smiled and waved, a friend surprising you with a visit and treats, the kind-hearted boss who lets you off early. Little things, things of no consequence have the greatest impact on a life. Achilles (a “great” man) was stopped in his tracks because of his ankle, a very slight and matter of inconsequence. Going against the natural man is done by small and simple things.
Greatness is defeating the greatest enemy of all: ourselves.
What is Greatness?
_____Greatness means the condition, state, or quality of being great. What exactly is ''being great”? Many will say that being great means, to be good at something you do. I agree with that but I also feel that the statement is incomplete. Anyone can be good at something; we always hear that the “greats” are able to separate themselves from the rest so if everyone is good at what they do, according to the statement above does that mean that everyone is great? And if everyone is great then how do we know what greatness is, is there even a thing such as greatness?
_____In my opinion to be great is to be the best at what you do, but also to do it with a passion and love that pushes a person to a height that exceeds all others. In doing so it allows us to then separate ourselves and as my father would say, “Become men amongst boys”. To be great not only means to be good at what you do but to also love it as you do it, put time and effort into it, and to have the drive and motivation to be the best.
_____For me, when I think of greatness I think of my parents. I know I have done a paper on my parents already, but it just goes to show how highly I think of them. What make my parents great in my mind are all the sacrifices they make for me and my brothers and sisters, also their unconditional love towards us.
_____I am going to use athletes as an example, some well-known “greats” that a lot of us have heard about are Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Joe Montana, Rey Lewis, Tiger Woods and so on. What separates these athletes is not only how well they are at what they do, but also their whole mentality and lifestyle towards their individual sports. What made them great was the time and work they put in, the love they had for the games they played, and the drive to be the best at what they loved, therefore it showed when they performed.
_____In closing I will restate that Greatness is the condition, state, or quality of being great. To be great does mean to be good at what you do, but also to love what you do to the point where your goals, focus, and lifestyle is centered around being the best at what you love. In doing so it will allow you to be great and joining all the “greats” who have come before us.
...in the eye of the beholder
As I thought about this paper for some time, I began to wonder what I thought was greatness. I have my belief, but I realized that my belief might not be the same as everyone’s. If you were to ask 10 different people what makes a great person, each would probably describe what they value most, and what they most want to be like, therefore they have a bias to what is a great person. This is something that probably applies to greatness and how we define it.
The more I thought about it, the more I wanted to pull myself away from myself. I didn’t want my personal bias of what I want to be have an influence in my definition; trying to avoid your personal bias is no easy task when writing. The question “What is greatness” needs to apply to all platforms, not just to people, performances, entertainment or whatever we prefer.
What I believe to have found can apply to all fields, places and people. It is something that may come down to the opinion of one, but it can also be decided by many. Greatness is something that is of high quality and leaves a lasting impact, impression or change on most that it comes in contact with.
If Joseph Smith would not have done anything because of the First Vision, would it have truly been great? If Thomas Edison kept the light bulb to himself, would we still be running off of lamps? What if your favorite author never published one book, but kept their thoughts in a journal only for themselves? Greatness needs to be widespread –at least enough that people can be influenced.
On the contrary, popularity does not make something great. We have all probably seen Napoleon Dynamite and can quote 5 different lines from the movie (if you vote for me, all of your wildest dreams will come true). Does this make the movie great, Oscar worthy, or even close to having a good script? I would argue it would not. Quality is in the hands of the judge, of which we all are to some degree or another.
In today’s world, we are always looking for the next big thing, for the new and improved version, or the future leader. How many times in our lives have we heard that “he is the best college football player ever”, or “isn’t this the greatest movie of our generation?”. While James Cameron has two movies in that discussion, can we really judge the greatness of a movie the same decade it came out (or the director for that matter)? Anyone who knows film can now talk about the greatness of movies such as The Wizard of Oz, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and Gone with the Wind. This is because we are far enough removed to see the influences they have had in the movie world, as well as everyday life.
So before we hail Justin Bieber or the Jonas Brothers as the best musicians ever, or the Twilight Saga (I don’t feel this deserves to be italicized) as the best story of our time in film or literature, let’s sit back, take a breather, and wait another 30 years. Chances are there will be another “best ever” for us to talk about. What you do and how you view it is your choice though, because greatness truly is in the eye of the beholder.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
That's Great.
The word liters our most common sentences.
“I’m doing great.”
“It was a great movie.”
“Oh great, now what?”
It is on the standard-issue list of basic English vocabulary. It was one of the first words to earn a text-message abbreviation.
“U r crzy! Lol! That soundz g8!”
It is the word we use to describe the man responsible for the growth of the Roman Empire, and the time period that drained pockets and the spirits of people throughout the world.
It is a compliment.
It is an adjective.
It is quite a lot of things.
But what is it? What makes something qualify as great?
In creations of the arts, in discoveries of science, in defining-times of history, the things we consider significant have recurring themes.
The Mona Lisa.
Beethoven’s Fifth.
The name of a great artwork spikes the attention of our memories. The names are familiar to us, and in many cases we can see a famous painting, or hear a famous composition in our minds, subconsciously reminding us what the piece is. The work becomes an essential part of our culture, even after centuries of new creations. It stays with us.
Microbiology.
Electricity.
Whether commonplace or incomprehensible, our lives are affected by the great discoveries of science. Revolutionary thinkers develop ideas that change our lives. We accept the theories. We take advantage of the wisdom. We enjoy the comforts.
The Revolutionary War.
The Gutenberg Press.
Great moments in history are recorded, then published in textbooks years later. The moments that change the course of our world are studied, taught, remembered. Nations are formed. Dreams become possibilities.
What the world deems great, the world remembers. The world is affected by greatness, and by greatness the world is changed.
And yet, when my 10-year-old brother tells me about his imaginative plan for inventing the best-ever fighter-plane, I give him my honest opinion: “That’s a great idea!” No world will remember the invincible armor. No world will be changed by the five-million-miles-per-hour speed. But his idea is great.
My world will remember. His world changes mine. For me, there is significance; for me, there is greatness.
Greatness in Mediums
When I think of greatness, I think of the countless amount of times I have written about heroes, inspirational people, and great acts that made someone special. I don't think I have thought about it as much in terms of works of art, literature or music and I think that this time, I'm going to take that approach.
As an avid devourer of books in my youth, and as much as possible lately, the power of written word has always been evident. But what makes something truly great? I think that for a literary text to be truly great it has to include a few high marks if you will in a few categories including diction, themes, symbolism, and overall style. When I think about "great" novels, I of course pay dues to the lists of classics but I also think about the novels that made me think, gave me insight, or have actually changed my opinion or outlook. I think of the books I was both engaged in from the start and the ones I eventually grew to love. I think of the many works that I would consider great, but that didn't necessarily do the trick for me in particular. Overall, I think that greatness comes on many levels and that some things are determined to be great for a broad audience, but there is also the list of greats that I hold near to me, as each person I believe would have one of their own versions of such a list.
Art. This one word includes so many mediums and styles that it's hard to sum up in just a paragraph. And when discussion starts about what is "great" or not in art, it gets tricky. Art has been made from almost anything you can think of. I think a big aspect of greatness in art is the time in which it was created. Andy Warhol for example with his iconic paintings and start of the pop art movement is an obvious example of greatness in art. But what about the street graffiti artist Banksy? His identity is unknown and his work is mostly illegal. In my opinion, I think he is one of the greatest artists of this time period. His art makes a statement and is provocative in a manner which is not trying for shock value. While in San Francisco, without even planning on it, I looked up and saw one of his pieces. I immediately was ecstatic. It made me think and just stood out as magnificently great to me. Meanwhile, hundreds of people walk by this daily without even knowing it is there, up on the side of a building above the hustle and bustle below. So is he considered a "great" artist? His work sells for large sums, but still much of the world does not know about him. The same can be said for artists who sell at art shows around the country. Having grown up with parents who are avid appreciators and collectors of art, I have been to many shows and have seen the great artists who continue to update their work and make a living selling beautiful pieces. They are only known to their customers and those who frequent art shows or galleries, but I have seen many great pieces that are great in the sense they are creating new genres of art, using different mediums to create their own techniques, following some stylistic rules while breaking others, and having pieces that overall create interest in the viewer or are just aesthetically appealing. Art can be great because it is just nice to look at, but it can also be great because it is making a statement.
When it comes to talking about music, I am going to focus on the past 50 years or so. I think that "great" music within this era is music that stands the test of time. Especially within the past 10 years, there has been an influx of truly horrible music that has no merit whatsoever. Instead of a band needing to have at least an album's worth of good songs to become "big", now a band can be given a record deal based on one hit written on the computer with a software that requires no ear for music. The music community has shifted and I think that his gives opportunity for current artists to breakthrough by being original and making music that can be appreciated by a wider audience than 13-15 year old girls. I think that to be great, a band needs to make music that people are willing to buy and that the audience likes it so much that they are inclined to tell their peers about it. I also think a large aspect of greatness in the music community is how the live version goes/sounds/looks. I think that a lot of band's enhance their greatness by putting on shows that blow audiences away. The bands that invoke a tingly feeling while I listen to them perform often are given a "great" response from me. Great music I would say has surrounded me since birth and is something I am always on the lookout for. My great list is the list of artists that I continually go back to listen to and that have been an accompaniment to different phases of my life.
As time goes on, I see my list of greats inevitably growing and changing as I grow and develop as a person. I hope to continue my appreciate for all these mediums and learn their histories and the countless number of contributors to what each medium has become. I think that being open to learning is a huge aspect of being able to appreciate the broad spectrum that comprise each of these ways of expression.
As an avid devourer of books in my youth, and as much as possible lately, the power of written word has always been evident. But what makes something truly great? I think that for a literary text to be truly great it has to include a few high marks if you will in a few categories including diction, themes, symbolism, and overall style. When I think about "great" novels, I of course pay dues to the lists of classics but I also think about the novels that made me think, gave me insight, or have actually changed my opinion or outlook. I think of the books I was both engaged in from the start and the ones I eventually grew to love. I think of the many works that I would consider great, but that didn't necessarily do the trick for me in particular. Overall, I think that greatness comes on many levels and that some things are determined to be great for a broad audience, but there is also the list of greats that I hold near to me, as each person I believe would have one of their own versions of such a list.
Art. This one word includes so many mediums and styles that it's hard to sum up in just a paragraph. And when discussion starts about what is "great" or not in art, it gets tricky. Art has been made from almost anything you can think of. I think a big aspect of greatness in art is the time in which it was created. Andy Warhol for example with his iconic paintings and start of the pop art movement is an obvious example of greatness in art. But what about the street graffiti artist Banksy? His identity is unknown and his work is mostly illegal. In my opinion, I think he is one of the greatest artists of this time period. His art makes a statement and is provocative in a manner which is not trying for shock value. While in San Francisco, without even planning on it, I looked up and saw one of his pieces. I immediately was ecstatic. It made me think and just stood out as magnificently great to me. Meanwhile, hundreds of people walk by this daily without even knowing it is there, up on the side of a building above the hustle and bustle below. So is he considered a "great" artist? His work sells for large sums, but still much of the world does not know about him. The same can be said for artists who sell at art shows around the country. Having grown up with parents who are avid appreciators and collectors of art, I have been to many shows and have seen the great artists who continue to update their work and make a living selling beautiful pieces. They are only known to their customers and those who frequent art shows or galleries, but I have seen many great pieces that are great in the sense they are creating new genres of art, using different mediums to create their own techniques, following some stylistic rules while breaking others, and having pieces that overall create interest in the viewer or are just aesthetically appealing. Art can be great because it is just nice to look at, but it can also be great because it is making a statement.
When it comes to talking about music, I am going to focus on the past 50 years or so. I think that "great" music within this era is music that stands the test of time. Especially within the past 10 years, there has been an influx of truly horrible music that has no merit whatsoever. Instead of a band needing to have at least an album's worth of good songs to become "big", now a band can be given a record deal based on one hit written on the computer with a software that requires no ear for music. The music community has shifted and I think that his gives opportunity for current artists to breakthrough by being original and making music that can be appreciated by a wider audience than 13-15 year old girls. I think that to be great, a band needs to make music that people are willing to buy and that the audience likes it so much that they are inclined to tell their peers about it. I also think a large aspect of greatness in the music community is how the live version goes/sounds/looks. I think that a lot of band's enhance their greatness by putting on shows that blow audiences away. The bands that invoke a tingly feeling while I listen to them perform often are given a "great" response from me. Great music I would say has surrounded me since birth and is something I am always on the lookout for. My great list is the list of artists that I continually go back to listen to and that have been an accompaniment to different phases of my life.
As time goes on, I see my list of greats inevitably growing and changing as I grow and develop as a person. I hope to continue my appreciate for all these mediums and learn their histories and the countless number of contributors to what each medium has become. I think that being open to learning is a huge aspect of being able to appreciate the broad spectrum that comprise each of these ways of expression.
Greatness: A hero flying through space, or a butterfly outside our window?
Greatness.
It's night. The world is preparing for slumber. Unsuspected by everyone, a meteor is finding its way to Earth. To those few outside gazing at the stars it seems a comet, perhaps a shooting star. Some take one last look at this beautiful sight, then go inside. Others watch, at first in awe and wonder, but soon it turns to fear and horror as they realize the true nature of the "shooting star." They have mere minutes before it hits Earth and destroys it. But what's this? Our hero flies through the sky catching the meteor before it hits Earth and hurls it back into space.
Greatness.
He was pushed through the streets. While he deserved praise, love, kindness; he got dirty looks, hissed at, spat upon. While he should have gotten a crown of gold, he got one of thorns. He was placed upon a cross for all to see. While he should have had people crying at his feet, he got laughter and mockery. He died that we might live.
Greatness.
She sits in her rocker everyday. It's always the same. Her grey hair sways gently each time the rocker goes back and forth. Suddenly: a knock. She hobbles to the door, her thoughts racing to try to remember who she was supposed to be expecting. A young girl with a bright smile greets her. She was invited inside and together they talked for quite some time. The old lady was sad when the girl had to leave. It had been a real joy to have talked to her. People didn't come around often just to visit.
Greatness.
So what is greatness? Is it the hero that saves the day? Is it Christ, who died to save us all? Is it the girl that took time to visit someone in need? Greatness, to me, doesn't have to be a hero that saves everyone and whose deeds will be known throughout the world forever more. It can be someone, like this girl, who visited the old lady. Someone that does a small, simple thing that will be know by none but the old lady, and even she might forget it soon due to old age. Greatness is an act that will affect someone for the better, even if it's just one person. It doesn't even have to be a person for it to be greatness. It can be a performance, it can be a piece of art, it can be a butterfly outside your window that lifts your spirits. It has endless possibilities. It is Greatness.
It's night. The world is preparing for slumber. Unsuspected by everyone, a meteor is finding its way to Earth. To those few outside gazing at the stars it seems a comet, perhaps a shooting star. Some take one last look at this beautiful sight, then go inside. Others watch, at first in awe and wonder, but soon it turns to fear and horror as they realize the true nature of the "shooting star." They have mere minutes before it hits Earth and destroys it. But what's this? Our hero flies through the sky catching the meteor before it hits Earth and hurls it back into space.
Greatness.
He was pushed through the streets. While he deserved praise, love, kindness; he got dirty looks, hissed at, spat upon. While he should have gotten a crown of gold, he got one of thorns. He was placed upon a cross for all to see. While he should have had people crying at his feet, he got laughter and mockery. He died that we might live.
Greatness.
She sits in her rocker everyday. It's always the same. Her grey hair sways gently each time the rocker goes back and forth. Suddenly: a knock. She hobbles to the door, her thoughts racing to try to remember who she was supposed to be expecting. A young girl with a bright smile greets her. She was invited inside and together they talked for quite some time. The old lady was sad when the girl had to leave. It had been a real joy to have talked to her. People didn't come around often just to visit.
Greatness.
So what is greatness? Is it the hero that saves the day? Is it Christ, who died to save us all? Is it the girl that took time to visit someone in need? Greatness, to me, doesn't have to be a hero that saves everyone and whose deeds will be known throughout the world forever more. It can be someone, like this girl, who visited the old lady. Someone that does a small, simple thing that will be know by none but the old lady, and even she might forget it soon due to old age. Greatness is an act that will affect someone for the better, even if it's just one person. It doesn't even have to be a person for it to be greatness. It can be a performance, it can be a piece of art, it can be a butterfly outside your window that lifts your spirits. It has endless possibilities. It is Greatness.
Greatness is Diligent Goodness
Often when we think of greatness we think of amazing, flashy talents that tend to entertain, inspire, or stand out in some extreme fashion. While this description may sometimes be accurate, I think that true greatness depends more on one’s ability to diligently be good.
This definition of greatness is not as flashy or as instantaneously amazing as what many people might be used to, but I think it is more impressive. Many people can do great things periodically, sometimes partly out of luck, other times because they truly do have talent. But what makes someone truly great is not what they sometimes manage to pull off, but what they do every day even when circumstances aren’t the most desirable.
Aristotle said, “We are what we repeatedly do; excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” Greatness isn’t achieved by one heroic or miraculous act (although these things are bound to happen when you’re surrounded by great people); it is achieved over many years of diligent work and failing and trying again, by forming great habits.
Although sometimes people are born with predispositions to phenomenal talents and abilities, this does not make them great if they don’t do anything to develop that gift. They become great as they dedicate themselves to that talent through consistent hard work and sweat. Others aren’t born with much natural ability, many are even disabled, but that doesn’t make them any less great. In fact, I think that often the greatest among us are the ones who fight with the hardest trials, those who were born in the direst of circumstances. Greatness depends more on what we do with what we have than on what is given in the beginning.
One of the great people in my life is my mom. She is a woman of many talents, but many would not say she’s great based merely on her outer talents. What makes her great is her tenacity and commitment to greatness. She’s not the best garden-weeder, but I don’t know many people who more diligently work in the garden under the hot summer sun. She’s not an amazing chef, but I don’t know many moms who more consistently cook meals for their kids. She’s not the sweetest and most kind lady in the world, but I know of few people who can consistently be as good and happy as she is.
Through their hard work many people have achieved greatness in fields such as music, art, athletics, academics, and others. In order to achieve their level, they undoubtedly needed great traits such as diligence, patience and faith. But the greatest greatness is using these attributes to not only become better at a certain skill, but to become a better person, to develop other Christ-like attributes such as humility, obedience, kindness, charity; to come closer to the greatest of all.
This definition of greatness is not as flashy or as instantaneously amazing as what many people might be used to, but I think it is more impressive. Many people can do great things periodically, sometimes partly out of luck, other times because they truly do have talent. But what makes someone truly great is not what they sometimes manage to pull off, but what they do every day even when circumstances aren’t the most desirable.
Aristotle said, “We are what we repeatedly do; excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” Greatness isn’t achieved by one heroic or miraculous act (although these things are bound to happen when you’re surrounded by great people); it is achieved over many years of diligent work and failing and trying again, by forming great habits.
Although sometimes people are born with predispositions to phenomenal talents and abilities, this does not make them great if they don’t do anything to develop that gift. They become great as they dedicate themselves to that talent through consistent hard work and sweat. Others aren’t born with much natural ability, many are even disabled, but that doesn’t make them any less great. In fact, I think that often the greatest among us are the ones who fight with the hardest trials, those who were born in the direst of circumstances. Greatness depends more on what we do with what we have than on what is given in the beginning.
One of the great people in my life is my mom. She is a woman of many talents, but many would not say she’s great based merely on her outer talents. What makes her great is her tenacity and commitment to greatness. She’s not the best garden-weeder, but I don’t know many people who more diligently work in the garden under the hot summer sun. She’s not an amazing chef, but I don’t know many moms who more consistently cook meals for their kids. She’s not the sweetest and most kind lady in the world, but I know of few people who can consistently be as good and happy as she is.
Through their hard work many people have achieved greatness in fields such as music, art, athletics, academics, and others. In order to achieve their level, they undoubtedly needed great traits such as diligence, patience and faith. But the greatest greatness is using these attributes to not only become better at a certain skill, but to become a better person, to develop other Christ-like attributes such as humility, obedience, kindness, charity; to come closer to the greatest of all.
Great in the Sight of God
_____"Wherefore, the wicked are rejected from the righteous, and also from that tree of life, whose fruit is most precious and most desirable above all other fruits; yea, and it is the greatest of all the gifts of God” (1 Nephi 15:36). When modern-day society looks at greatness, they view power, riches, position, sexual extremes, and many other secular desires that are not truly “great” at all. This worldly view of greatness is also summed up in Lehi’s vision of the tree of life; the “Great and Spacious” building symbolizing the pride of the world. Our Heavenly Father defines greatness as equivalent to keeping our sacrament covenants: namely, taking upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ, always remembering Him, and keeping the commandments which He has given us. If we keep these three simple -yet powerful- covenants, then we have achieved greatness, always having the Holy Ghost to be with us.
_____To become great in the sight of God, we must take upon ourselves the name of Christ. We know that this occurs when someone is baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. However, not many completely understand what this “naming” means. In fact, taking upon ourselves the name of Christ means that we commit to representing Him in everything that we do. Mosiah even states that “when ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of your God” (Mosiah 2:17). This simple statement reveals that what we do in our everyday lives reflects the name of Jesus Christ and His restored gospel. When we do good things, we represent Him well and others see His mercy and love towards mankind. When we do evil things, we disrespect His name and are hypocrites, possibly injuring the way others view the church. Although we are not perfect, when we truly take Christ’s name upon ourselves by representing Him well, we achieve greatness.
_____As well as taking upon ourselves the name of Christ, we must also remember Him constantly to become great. Always remembering Christ can have an extremely powerful impact on our lives. In fact, if we always remembered Christ, we would be perfect, never having any desire to sin. Speaking of the wicked, Helaman states “how slow are [the children of men] to remember the Lord their God” (Helaman 12:5). Every time we make a mistake in life, we have forgotten Christ, and have forsaken Him. At the same time, we can become great in his sight as long as we do remember Him and abstain from doing what is wrong.
_____Along with taking Christ’s name upon ourselves and always remembering Him, we must keep His commandments. The commandments represent being obedient to God’s will, doing what He has asked even if it is against our own selfish desires. Being obedient defines whether a member of the church is faithful or not. Keeping the commandments gives greater power to the Priesthood, causing great miracles to come to pass in the name of the Lord. Keeping the commandments is so important, that Nephi constantly stressed the point to his family. He even states that “the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them” (1 Nephi 3:7). This powerful statement by Nephi proves that we can become great and that keeping the commandments is entirely possible.
_____If we want to be great in God’s sight, we must keep our sacrament covenants. Doing so will invite the Holy Ghost and will give us strength to make an impact in the world.
_____To become great in the sight of God, we must take upon ourselves the name of Christ. We know that this occurs when someone is baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. However, not many completely understand what this “naming” means. In fact, taking upon ourselves the name of Christ means that we commit to representing Him in everything that we do. Mosiah even states that “when ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of your God” (Mosiah 2:17). This simple statement reveals that what we do in our everyday lives reflects the name of Jesus Christ and His restored gospel. When we do good things, we represent Him well and others see His mercy and love towards mankind. When we do evil things, we disrespect His name and are hypocrites, possibly injuring the way others view the church. Although we are not perfect, when we truly take Christ’s name upon ourselves by representing Him well, we achieve greatness.
_____As well as taking upon ourselves the name of Christ, we must also remember Him constantly to become great. Always remembering Christ can have an extremely powerful impact on our lives. In fact, if we always remembered Christ, we would be perfect, never having any desire to sin. Speaking of the wicked, Helaman states “how slow are [the children of men] to remember the Lord their God” (Helaman 12:5). Every time we make a mistake in life, we have forgotten Christ, and have forsaken Him. At the same time, we can become great in his sight as long as we do remember Him and abstain from doing what is wrong.
_____Along with taking Christ’s name upon ourselves and always remembering Him, we must keep His commandments. The commandments represent being obedient to God’s will, doing what He has asked even if it is against our own selfish desires. Being obedient defines whether a member of the church is faithful or not. Keeping the commandments gives greater power to the Priesthood, causing great miracles to come to pass in the name of the Lord. Keeping the commandments is so important, that Nephi constantly stressed the point to his family. He even states that “the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them” (1 Nephi 3:7). This powerful statement by Nephi proves that we can become great and that keeping the commandments is entirely possible.
_____If we want to be great in God’s sight, we must keep our sacrament covenants. Doing so will invite the Holy Ghost and will give us strength to make an impact in the world.
Greatness In Examples of Excellence
Greatness. What is is it?
We say that LeBron James and Kobe Bryant are great basketball players, that George Washington and Abraham Lincoln were great American presidents, that Mark Twain and Ernest Hemingway were great writers, but the special talents that we recognize them for are only indicators of greatness. How does one become great? By delving further into these examples, we can come to an understanding of just what greatness is and where it comes from.
Athletes are cultural icons of the current generation. Their physical prowess transforms them into the heroes of youth. Their performance can inspire or depress. Their personal choices can build or break their image. Their triumphs are collective triumphs. Their failures are shared burdens.
For athletes, greatness is speed, strength, endurance, teamwork, and the ability to score. Premier athletes are not born at the peak of their excellence—they had to work to get where they are. That effort comes in the form of practice. Practice is the exercising of skills to develop muscle memory and instinctive reaction. Practice takes time. Practice requires dedication. Practice is hard. But it shows in performance.
Presidents are probably the most scrutinized individuals in a country. They are under extreme duress to direct the affairs of a nation and manage diplomacy between the hundreds of nations across the globe. They have advisors, but when the decision has to be made, it’s the president that has to make the final call.
For a president, greatness is the ability to lead millions of people effectively, using all available information to make educated decisions. Greatness is charisma and the talent of being able to gain the support of others. Greatness is being extremely thoughtful and calculating. These skills, while sometimes innate, must be developed through education and experience. Education is the accumulation of relevant information and its synthesis to extract meaning. Education requires diligence. Education is challenging. But when the chips are down, education can make the difference between exhilarating success and paralyzing defeat.
Writers are immortal. By recording their words in written language, they are guaranteeing themselves a place in the memories of society. Some writers are more prolific and therefore occupy a greater space in the collective conscious than others, Twain and Hemingway being two of them.
Their mastery of the English language and their ability to weave meaningful tales are what make them great. But for every great story idea, there are five hundred bad ideas. Writers must fill their minds with powerful stories, dissect and analyze them, and then develop a style that suits the audience they seek. Reading takes time. Drafting is exhausting. Revising is painful. But high-caliber writing can change the world.
As these examples illustrate, greatness does not have any one standard of measurement. It cannot be measured in a single quantifiable unit; it is relative and subjective. While this relativity can, and does, cause dispute among individuals about who or what is great and why, it remains an inherent component of what greatness is
Now, if greatness is not empirical, what is it? Greatness comes from within. Great people accomplished great feats through diligence, sacrifice, and will power, all of which come from inside.
You cannot substitute others’ sacrifices for your own; you will gain nothing; you will not grow.
You cannot transplant knowledge; you must collect it; you must earn it.
You cannot presume mastery of concepts to which you have no connection or exposure; you will have no authority; your perspective will be irrelevant.
Greatness is the result of the human spirit trumping the physical limitations of a mortal body. Greatness is spiritual. Greatness is an indicator of progression toward one’s ultimate potential.
Madness in great ones must not unwatch'd go. (Hamlet III,i,186)
Don't worry, it won't bite.
All kidding aside, to me greatness means coming closer to one's true self. Those around us can see that spark of greatness, the person we all wish to embody. To become that person it takes time, self discipline, and personal reflection.
"Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm." -Ralph Waldo Emerson
"To be great is to be misunderstood." -Ralph Waldo Emerson
The drive that makes one great is not the desire to become great; it is to do ones part, essentially to stand where one is and lift. We each have goals, desires, and attitudes that will lend each of us greatness. The greatness may never be seen by the individual, it takes others to look from the outside. My dad is a hero to me, he is truly great. He has been a busy man doing his best to make everything work and found his greatness. He knows when to put his nose down and work, when to have fun, when to teach, and when to learn.
To me, greatness can be tangible, just like the color red or a flour less chocolate cake. Greatness can be felt by anyone when in the presence of it. Greatness is an attitude that comes through dedication and hard work; like anything else greatness doesn't come just for a wish.
Truly greatness must come through chess.
Oops I hit the silly button again, you'll have to forgive me. I don't think I can ever live up to greatness now.
"The price of greatness is responsibility." -Winston Churchill
Greatness is exactly that, it requires focus and desire to improve those around you, to be a light in darkness. Greatness comes naturally to some, like a trait they are born with. Greatness can be developed by all, there is no end to greatness.
All kidding aside, to me greatness means coming closer to one's true self. Those around us can see that spark of greatness, the person we all wish to embody. To become that person it takes time, self discipline, and personal reflection.
"Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm." -Ralph Waldo Emerson
"To be great is to be misunderstood." -Ralph Waldo Emerson
The drive that makes one great is not the desire to become great; it is to do ones part, essentially to stand where one is and lift. We each have goals, desires, and attitudes that will lend each of us greatness. The greatness may never be seen by the individual, it takes others to look from the outside. My dad is a hero to me, he is truly great. He has been a busy man doing his best to make everything work and found his greatness. He knows when to put his nose down and work, when to have fun, when to teach, and when to learn.
To me, greatness can be tangible, just like the color red or a flour less chocolate cake. Greatness can be felt by anyone when in the presence of it. Greatness is an attitude that comes through dedication and hard work; like anything else greatness doesn't come just for a wish.
Truly greatness must come through chess.
Oops I hit the silly button again, you'll have to forgive me. I don't think I can ever live up to greatness now.
"The price of greatness is responsibility." -Winston Churchill
Greatness is exactly that, it requires focus and desire to improve those around you, to be a light in darkness. Greatness comes naturally to some, like a trait they are born with. Greatness can be developed by all, there is no end to greatness.
The Ultimate Example of Greatness
I was determined to find the best “great” thing the write about; while I was pondering a voice from the kitchen hollered, “Jake! It’s time to eat!” I quickly got up off the couch, put my laptop down, and rushed down the stairs. As I broke the threshold of the kitchen, an aroma hit my nostrils like a 200 pound linebacker. The smell of steak, mashed potatoes, homemade rolls, and barbeque sauce pummeled my senses and I thought I was in heaven. “Mom! Oh my gosh! This smells so good!” I quickly sat down, inhaled the angelic meal, and at that moment I knew exactly what my essay on greatness what going to be about.
Like the prophet Nephi and many of you, I was born of “goodly parents” (1 Nephi 1:1). My father is great, but comparing him to my mother would be like comparing Lake Powell to the Atlantic Ocean; not even close. So please allow me a few moments to reminisce on a few childhood memories I have chosen to praise my mother on her greatness.
My mother is a hard worker. Every day in pre-school, my mom would drive twenty minutes so I could go to a school that would actually teach me something. She was also working at Utah Valley Hospital in Provo, and my pre-school was just across the street. After an eight hour day of work, she would come home, make dinner, clean the house, help my older brother with homework and put us all to bed with a story. This continued from the age of four, until I was six. After that she spent time helping me with my schooling and enrolled me into piano lessons. I hated it! But while making dinner, she would listen to me play the piano and help me when I got frustrated (which was often). I had lessons once a week and she would come home from work to drive me and my older brothers. She passed her love for music onto us and I now too have a love for music and couldn’t picture my life without it.
When I was in High school, I recall coming home thinking I would have a break for a while until my parents came home from work. To my dismay, she was just a phone call away and shortly after I walked in the door the ringing of the phone shook me like an earthquake. I was told on the phone what I needed to do for the day. I was expected to do all my homework and chores before she came home. My mother taught me what hard work meant, and it has affected my schooling, job, and social life. She taught me the habit of work first, and then play. Because of it I became a manager in less than a year, went to BYU, and have many close relationships with my friends.
My mom supported me in everything I did, even if it meant I wasn’t the best at it. She attended almost all of my extra-curricular activity events including: marching band competitions, rugby games, , jazz, symphony, and piano concerts , and city league basketball, flag football, and soccer. Every time I was competing, playing, or just fooling around with my friends she was there screaming for myself and my teammates. This past summer I had four or five of my friends coming over every week for “COD night” where we would stay up until the late hours of the morning playing Call of Duty. My mom loved my friends and would often ask “when is COD night?” because she wanted to make pizza, or get us drinks so we could have a good time. She knew and loved all my friends and she opened up her house to them like it was their own. I love my mom so much and without her I wouldn’t be the person I am today. Greatness is the ability someone has to influence others lives for the better, and that is the definition of my mom.
Our Founding Fathers
Signing the document meant death. All 56 men – most of who were wealthy and had nothing to gain by signing the document -- knew they were putting their lives, fortune, property, and families’ welfare on the line. But yet, they signed their names, confidently, creating the most influential and meaningful document in U.S. history: The Declaration of Independence. After signing their names on July 4, 1776, these men experienced hardships that are seldom heard of for a cause that they knew to be right; they displayed greatness.
I once read an article by Rush Limbaugh Jr. (the father of the famous talk show host) about the founders of America and everything they gave up for America. They loved the country and, to them, signing their names on that piece of paper was a binding contract, a promise that they would not break, and it did not matter how tough life treated them. I used some information from his article in my next paragraph.
A delegate from New Jersey, Abraham Clark, had two sons fighting for America. The two young men were captured by the British to be taken to a British Prison in the New York Harbor. It was known as the “hell ship” because that is where 11,000 captives would die during the duration of the war. Because the soldiers knew the two boy’s father signed the document, they were treated worse than their fellow American prisoners. They were given no food, and were on the verge of death. Abraham Clark was brought onto the ship after he found out where his sons were, and was given an option. He could have his sons back, alive, if he would deny The Declaration of Independence and if he would hail the British King and Parliament; if not, his sons would die. With his sons on death’s bead, Clark boldly whispered the word that would pierce the spine of the soldier, and every American who would hear it afterward: “No.”
Rush Limbaugh Jr. summed up his article with a paragraph depicting the honor of the signers: “Of those 56 who signed the Declaration of Independence, nine died of wounds or hardships during the war. Five were captured and imprisoned, in each case with brutal treatment. Several lost wives, sons or entire families. One lost his 13 children. Two wives were brutally treated. All were at one time or another the victims of manhunts and driven from their homes. Twelve signers had their homes completely burned. Seventeen lost everything they owned. Yet not one defected or went back on his pledged word. Their honor, and the nation they sacrificed so much to create is still intact.”
The nation we live in is the best nation on earth, but we would not have it if not for 56 men who signed a document of freedom for multiple generations afterward to feast on; 56 men who lost lives, family, and property because they would not break their word of honor; 56 men exhibiting greatness.
I once read an article by Rush Limbaugh Jr. (the father of the famous talk show host) about the founders of America and everything they gave up for America. They loved the country and, to them, signing their names on that piece of paper was a binding contract, a promise that they would not break, and it did not matter how tough life treated them. I used some information from his article in my next paragraph.
A delegate from New Jersey, Abraham Clark, had two sons fighting for America. The two young men were captured by the British to be taken to a British Prison in the New York Harbor. It was known as the “hell ship” because that is where 11,000 captives would die during the duration of the war. Because the soldiers knew the two boy’s father signed the document, they were treated worse than their fellow American prisoners. They were given no food, and were on the verge of death. Abraham Clark was brought onto the ship after he found out where his sons were, and was given an option. He could have his sons back, alive, if he would deny The Declaration of Independence and if he would hail the British King and Parliament; if not, his sons would die. With his sons on death’s bead, Clark boldly whispered the word that would pierce the spine of the soldier, and every American who would hear it afterward: “No.”
Rush Limbaugh Jr. summed up his article with a paragraph depicting the honor of the signers: “Of those 56 who signed the Declaration of Independence, nine died of wounds or hardships during the war. Five were captured and imprisoned, in each case with brutal treatment. Several lost wives, sons or entire families. One lost his 13 children. Two wives were brutally treated. All were at one time or another the victims of manhunts and driven from their homes. Twelve signers had their homes completely burned. Seventeen lost everything they owned. Yet not one defected or went back on his pledged word. Their honor, and the nation they sacrificed so much to create is still intact.”
The nation we live in is the best nation on earth, but we would not have it if not for 56 men who signed a document of freedom for multiple generations afterward to feast on; 56 men who lost lives, family, and property because they would not break their word of honor; 56 men exhibiting greatness.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Good Works Change People
To me, there are works, there are good works, and then there are great works. A work, basically, is anything that has been done by man that is meant to have an effect on a wide variety of people, or an audience. A movie, for example, is meant to have a certain affect on people that are young or old, educated or uneducated, black or white, whether it be to entertain, teach, or inspire. A good work is something that has a constructive effect on people. Spider Man the movie, for example, taught us as Americans, all of whom wield immense power to change this world, that “with great power comes great responsibility.” What a powerful message. It had an effect, I’m sure, on many people. However, I don’t think there were many people who walked out of Spider Man who really had gained a firm conviction to use their power more wisely and actually improved their lives greatly because of it. What sets apart a work as “great” is how lasting its effect is on the audience.
A work can be anything from a painting, to a book, to a statue, to a building. For it to be a great work, that work must change the lives of the people it is meant for. When my mom told me that for my bedtime stories she was going to read Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, I didn’t think much of it (the cover isn’t extremely exciting, you know). However, by the time she finished the first chapter, I was begging her to keep going. It had gotten curiosity coursing through my head, and with it, a new outlook on life. That’s a great work. Whenever I see a church building, firmly founded as the ideals it stands for and with a white, innocent point, reminding all to look heavenward, I am truly changed as a person. That’s a great work. A truly great work is one that people never forget.
A work can be anything from a painting, to a book, to a statue, to a building. For it to be a great work, that work must change the lives of the people it is meant for. When my mom told me that for my bedtime stories she was going to read Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, I didn’t think much of it (the cover isn’t extremely exciting, you know). However, by the time she finished the first chapter, I was begging her to keep going. It had gotten curiosity coursing through my head, and with it, a new outlook on life. That’s a great work. Whenever I see a church building, firmly founded as the ideals it stands for and with a white, innocent point, reminding all to look heavenward, I am truly changed as a person. That’s a great work. A truly great work is one that people never forget.
Two Degrees of Great Men: the Conqueror and the Rescuer
Lincoln and Gandhi. Churchill and Mormon. Jefferson and Washington. Remarkable men, men whom I admire. All achieved great things. None did it the same way. And in life, it would be rare if not impossible to be completely dedicated to more than one approach to greatness -- you must decide which way is best. Not everyone is called to approach greatness only one particular way but all are called to approach greatness. I do not know which way I will go, but I do know, out of two approaches I've considered, which one I consider to be the greater. I don't necessarily believe that this approach is the "road less traveled", but it is certainly the road with less epic poems, the road less envied, the road of little earthly glory.
The two images of a hero that I wish to compare are, first, the hero who thrills the world by achieving exactly what he is passionate about, using his own hard work (and God-given strength if this is a God-given mission) and sheer determination. Incredible men with incredible results. The second is the hero who does what he knows he must regardless of how little it helps him to achieve what he wants, or even how much it actually hurts the chance of him ever achieving what he desires. The first makes for an inspiring story for me all the way until I hear an example of the second, at which time the glory of the first fades to give the honor due to the second. The central difference between the two lies in their form of sacrifice: one gives up what he wants now to achieve what he wants more, the other gives up what he wants completely to achieve that which will do him little to no good yet will do great good for others.
An inversion of this idea sheds light on another important difference between these two kinds of greatness, rather than looking at what they work for, we can look at what they mourn or suffer for. There are two classical examples that illustrate this principle -- one from the Odyssey and the other from the Aeneid. Both Odysseus and Aeneas mourn when they hear or see their own tragedies presented to them (a story for Odysseus, a mural for Aeneas). Odysseus weeps over all the troubles that have befallen him and all the ones that yet stand between him and home. Aeneas weeps for his city, for his family and for the heroes that died at Troy. Aeneas weeps for others. This small instances reveals a lot about the difference between the two heroes.
The other aspect of this twist is what a great hero suffers for. In this case it is Odysseus who actually offers both sides. Odysseus' biggest weakness is his recklessness. It is his rash decision to gloat about blinding the Cyclops that makes him an enemy of Poseidon (word to the wise, don't gloat to the gods). But Odysseus is also stuck with the messes that his men lead him into, the raping of Cassandra making them the enemies of Athena, the loosing of the winds that prevents them from getting home and eating the cows that gets the whole crew except Odysseus killed. The real greatness and honor of a hero comes in enduring well the punishment he did not deserve.
There is something powerful and inspiring in the passionate man achieving the ends he so greatly desires, but the greater man is the one who gives up his desires to fulfill the needs of others. Aeneas and Odysseus were the men I was initially thinking of when I thought of the two types of greatness I admire, but the moment I began writing it became obvious how well the real Hero of the world fit into this discussion. The scripture "not my will but thine be done," expresses true greatness perfectly. There can be no "greater" example of greatness than the Hero who was willing to put aside His own desires to do the will of God. The Man who achieved something that was completely unnecessary for Him but of vital importance to everyone else -- the Atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ.
The two images of a hero that I wish to compare are, first, the hero who thrills the world by achieving exactly what he is passionate about, using his own hard work (and God-given strength if this is a God-given mission) and sheer determination. Incredible men with incredible results. The second is the hero who does what he knows he must regardless of how little it helps him to achieve what he wants, or even how much it actually hurts the chance of him ever achieving what he desires. The first makes for an inspiring story for me all the way until I hear an example of the second, at which time the glory of the first fades to give the honor due to the second. The central difference between the two lies in their form of sacrifice: one gives up what he wants now to achieve what he wants more, the other gives up what he wants completely to achieve that which will do him little to no good yet will do great good for others.
An inversion of this idea sheds light on another important difference between these two kinds of greatness, rather than looking at what they work for, we can look at what they mourn or suffer for. There are two classical examples that illustrate this principle -- one from the Odyssey and the other from the Aeneid. Both Odysseus and Aeneas mourn when they hear or see their own tragedies presented to them (a story for Odysseus, a mural for Aeneas). Odysseus weeps over all the troubles that have befallen him and all the ones that yet stand between him and home. Aeneas weeps for his city, for his family and for the heroes that died at Troy. Aeneas weeps for others. This small instances reveals a lot about the difference between the two heroes.
The other aspect of this twist is what a great hero suffers for. In this case it is Odysseus who actually offers both sides. Odysseus' biggest weakness is his recklessness. It is his rash decision to gloat about blinding the Cyclops that makes him an enemy of Poseidon (word to the wise, don't gloat to the gods). But Odysseus is also stuck with the messes that his men lead him into, the raping of Cassandra making them the enemies of Athena, the loosing of the winds that prevents them from getting home and eating the cows that gets the whole crew except Odysseus killed. The real greatness and honor of a hero comes in enduring well the punishment he did not deserve.
There is something powerful and inspiring in the passionate man achieving the ends he so greatly desires, but the greater man is the one who gives up his desires to fulfill the needs of others. Aeneas and Odysseus were the men I was initially thinking of when I thought of the two types of greatness I admire, but the moment I began writing it became obvious how well the real Hero of the world fit into this discussion. The scripture "not my will but thine be done," expresses true greatness perfectly. There can be no "greater" example of greatness than the Hero who was willing to put aside His own desires to do the will of God. The Man who achieved something that was completely unnecessary for Him but of vital importance to everyone else -- the Atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ.
What is Greatness? hhmmmmm...
Greatness
The great mathematician and scientist Albert Einstein once said that everything is relative. Greatness is also a relative term that is judged based on an individual’s understanding of the masterpiece. This means that judging greatness is a completely personal matter. While one person believes they are seeing, hearing, tasting, touching, or feeling a masterpiece, the next person may deem it a failure.
A few years ago, I recall watching the news and seeing a painting of nothing but a simply drawn elephant holding a flower in its trunk. At first, I was unimpressed and wondered why the news anchors found the painting such a big deal. This was until I found out who the artist was. The painting was done by an Asian elephant holding a paintbrush in its trunk. Instantly my perception of the painting changed from amateurish to a priceless work of art. It wasn’t until after I had fully learned the background of the picture that I recognized its greatness.
This process of understanding and recognizing greatness is a daily occurrence for mankind. When you were young, it is likely that one day you brought home from school a picture that you drew to show your mom. What may have looked like a dreadful drawing of a purple cat with three legs, four eyes, and no tail was likely a beautiful creation that your mother taped to the refrigerator for the next month. Why? Because unlike most, your mom understood what levels you had reached at that point and knew that for you, that picture was quite an achievement relative to last week’s “penguin”.
It is not uncommon that undesirable circumstances can also appear great. At the end of the movie Aladdin, the evil sorcerer Jafar asks Genie to turn him into a genie so that he can be the most powerful ruler of the world. What seemed like a great idea turned into a disaster when he learned that by being a genie, he had to stay confined in a magic lamp until somebody rubbed it to let him out. I experienced this same disappointment around the time the movie Avatar came out. The previews looked great, the reviews were great, and I expected it to be great up until the point that I actually saw it. Needless to say, I was thoroughly let down.
There is not one person on earth that can decide for everyone what is great or not. To do so, they would have to gain knowledge on every subject to understand the story and complexity behind every creation, which is indeed, impossible. We are all free to judge whether or not we believe something is great, but we must always remember to ask ourselves if we have sufficient knowledge relative to the masterpiece.
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