by Lisa Griffiths

Created on: March 07, 2010

Greatness may be achieved on many levels during an individual’s life—the titled “man” is assumed to be a generalized term to include “woman”—so it would be a disservice to assume it is a final goal or destiny.

Throughout life we must take care not to overlook that which has been given us as great-natural talents and skills.

As children, it is assumed we make childish mistakes, but learn from them as we grow and mature. This allows for our minds to expand and hearts to be open to the experiences yet to come.

Even so, children can achieve levels of greatness. Just watch the latest child prodigy Wendy Vo as she displays her skills as an accomplished pianist/composer. Or exercise her expertise and command of 11 or so different languages.

Is this not greatness? And think of what is yet to be for a young girl of only 10.

But most would ponder what it would take to be great as an adult. What would register among those who keep score as greatness?

Perhaps performing some self-less fete or act of heroism. Maybe greatness is achieved when one has overcome some monumental hurdle to be noted publicly, such as arising from the holds of poverty to stardom on the big screen.

To be definitive in answering, “How can a man be great in life?” would be limiting to human nature.

Maybe achieving greatness is as simple as being a good parent and feeling the satisfaction when your adult child finds happiness and contentment.

So to give some tangible aspect to the term “great” we might have to value that any act of achievement that is momentous to self and/or others is great. As many are taught, always-do-your-best, it would potentially afford anyone the ability.

If you can look back on whatever it is you have done, and know it is the best you could have done, feeling accomplished or proud, then greatness has been achieved.

When you have stepped-up, so to speak, when the situation called for action, when you have not been afraid to speak out or speak up for those less fortunate, then you have done greatness.

When you can truly say that you have loved those whom appear undeserving or when peace envelops your soul and happiness surrounds you at most every moment then you have succumbed to greatness.

For greatness to be achieved in one’s life, one must always strive to do good, be good and find good in each task and each other. This is not to say goodwill is enough. Intentional action towards fulfilling your dreams that are in, some way, a service to others will see greatness achieved.

Live your life purposely to bring joy to others and you will succeed in being great.

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