So I got into an interesting conversation with Andy today about greatness. I asked him if he ever wished to be something great - to do something extraordinary with his life. I think we all do. I explained to him that recently I've wrapped my mind around something that has been causing me much restlessness in my twenties: I want to be great.
You know those people you read about in history books or hear about for their accomplishments and contributions to society? You know those fantasy characters in children's stories and great epic novels that depict an ordinary person suddenly finding out that he is extraordinary and has a great impact on the world? That's who I'd like to be someday. No, not necessarily the next Harry Potter, but I mean that growing up I'd read stories like this with these characters that achieve mighty things and go on all these great adventures. They end up saving the world by their cleverness or helping people with their pure love and compassion. Don't you ever just wish that one day you'd wake up and find yourself in one of those stories where you recognize you have the power to save a quiet village from a neighboring villain or are sent on a quest of fate to save the world from imminent doom? Maybe I'm taking Lord of the Rings too much to heart...
Andy humored me when I explained this to him this morning. He asked if I'd rather be great and have it go down in history for all to read and know of my greatness or be great and influence a world of good without anyone really acknowledging me for it. He went on to say that for every great person there is an even larger sphere of influential people who helped mold and shape him/her. Andy asked if I'd be okay being one of those influential people. I honestly said I didn't know. I mean, sure I would love to raise a son who one day grew up to be the next C. S. Lewis or Billy Graham, but couldn't I be great too? It took a while to fully sink in. As I thought about it, Andy continued to explain that for him, he'd like to just be that anonymous person who comes to help you shovel your car out of a snow bank when you're stranded in an oncoming blizzard (in clogs) on the side of the road. He said that act of kindness reminds people that there is some good in this world and that produces the hope that characters like Gandalf say is worth fighting for. That's pretty great, huh? (Mind you: this is why I'm the luckiest girl in the world to be dating such a gem of a guy...)
Teddy Roosevelt said, "If we are to be a really great people, we must strive in good faith to play a great part in the world. We cannot avoid meeting great issues. All that we can determine for ourselves is whether we shall meet them well or ill."
Okay, so then if I want to be great the question was posed asking what I'd like to be great for... doing what? Influencing people, is my answer. Influencing a wide range of people in a positive way throughout my lifetime would be my ideal of greatness. No, I'd rather not have fame nor power nor too much money for all three corrupt mankind. Instead, I'd be happy with a small to midsized community to positively influence. Is that asking too much?
Sigh... so maybe I'll find a high school group to mentor and get better about writing encouraging letters to my friends in need. I'll look into other volunteer work in the area and just start being aware of such opportunities for when they present themselves. In time, I hope to marry and have children and help to create a warm, nurturing, loving environment for my family and friends. Step by baby step I'll fulfill my quest for greatness. Maybe I'll even write that great book that influences people in a positive way. But until then... I'm gonna pray for wisdom and consider each new day as a part of the adventure that is my own unique little life. To Him be the glory and perhaps I'll help issue some of it His way along my journey!
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