by Lum Michael Patterson

Created on: May 10, 2007   Last Updated: February 24, 2010

HOW DO I KNOW I'M BORN FOR GREATNESS?

We are all born for greatness and each of us in some way is great in the heart and mind of someone. In reality the greatness of a person is found in the minds of the people he touches. Once this is accepted as fact the real question becomes, how do I achieve the greatness for which I was born.

The first step toward greatness is the development of self. In our first few years of life we are dependent upon parents and relatives to be our role models and help us define self. Many of us are blessed with parents who recognize our best attributes and characteristics and precipitate their development, others are not so fortunate. Many parents use their children in an effort to gain the greatness they felt they deserved but never achieved. I've witnessed this many times as a coach for a

little league baseball team. Some children who are forced to participate find their niche and excel in the sport, many develop adequate playing skills, but seldom advance beyond adequate, still others develop no aptitude for the sport and come to think of themselves as failures.

The next step is the development of those unique characteristics of self that can be construed by others as greatness. Again role models play an extremely important part either as facilitators or stumbling blocks. For example lets say that Johnny is very sensitive to the needs of others and often offers comfort and aid to some of his fellow students whom the really ‘cool’ kids think of as unworthy of his efforts. This peer pressure can cause Johnny to back off and work on being "cool". However, if Johnny is blessed with a teacher or other role model who has recognized this sensitivity and encouraged it's development they might have helped instill in him the courage to put others before self and set him on the path toward becoming a great humanitarian, teacher, doctor, counselor, or friend.

What I’m saying is the potential for greatness is in us all, but it’s development is subject to the influence of every person with which we come in contact. But even if every person you ever met aided in your advancement toward greatness. it is still up to you to achieve it. To do so you must possess a desire to share yourself with others. You must want to be great and willing to work at being great. Although I truly believe we are all born for greatness, none of us are born great. Greatness takes hard selfless work.

So to answer the question, you'll know you were born for greatness when you've given the very best of yourself to help everyone you meet.

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