"Be not afraid of greatness"

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."