Achieve Great

Some are born great, some achieve great, and some have greatness thrust upon 'em  - Shakespeare

This is one of my all time favorite quotes. I think of this quote and think of people in my life.  People that have touched me by their actions, their truth, their ability to stay focused, in the process.  People that walk their talk. 

Greatness does not have to be a huge or great act to have significance in the life of another.  It can be simply being consistent.

Everyday.  People have the opportunity everyday to achieve greatness. I think it has to do with kindness on that level.  Helping someone out, smiling, letting someone in on the freeway, opening a door, holding a door, letting someone go first.

Greatness can also have to do with being willing to make sacrifices for the better good.

Civil rights protestors had greatness thrust upon them.  Anyone willing to stand up for, put themself in the line of danger for something they believe in has greatness thrust upon them.

I believe babies are born great.  There is infinite possibility there.  We are each born with a capacity to grow, learn and achieve great. It’s what we do with it when we become cognizant of being adults that frames our life.

I have made bad choices, muddled unclear choices and good choices. We all have.  Yet as humans, we have the capacity to shift, change our thinking if you will.  About anything.

Love, love, love
acrylic on wood
4/2011

Greatness. To achieve greatness.  It can affect the whole world, meaning our planet or our small world the one we revolve around in with our friends, family and coworkers.

People that I know that do things to help other people less for fortunate – like collecting diapers to help those less fortunate, volunteering to feed homeless people.  these are acts of kindness, but they are also acts of greatness.

While many think this Shakespeare quote is more in line with thinking of leadership and achievers, I am breaking it down to a more day to day basis of how in this day and time, individuals can make a choice about their behavior in the world. Thus be great by example.