Translating a World on the Edge

Photo by Clarita, 2008, MorgueFile.com

Are there people you would call “great?” How do you recognize greatness in him or her?

Some might say a person is great because he/she is powerful or famous or wealthy. That may have been the case in the ancient world, but not today.

A great person is one we can respect, someone who is decent and caring human, who shows love and acceptance equally. A great person is someone we can trust.

Do you want to be great? How do you do it?

In reading the lives of great men, I found that the first victory they won was over themselves… self-discipline with all of them came first.— Harry S Truman

Self discipline must surely be the first personality trait of greatness. The ability to control one’s feelings and overcome one’s weaknesses; the ability to pursue what one thinks is right despite temptations to abandon it. Persistence to the end for what one believes in.

This person of self discipline will not be a fickle man or woman who purports to believe one thing until something more politically correct causes him to change his mind. He or she will be someone who sticks to a standard of absolute Truth.

I think of a father or mother who will sacrifice whatever needs sacrificing to do what is best for their children. I think of a person humble enough to apologize for his/her mistakes and then set out to change those mistakes. I think of a giver, not a taker, a person who works untiringly for the good of others. A person who would give up his own life for someone he loves.

There are many so-called famous people all over the place, but they are not necessarily great. In fact, many truly great people go unnoticed in this life. They are not flashy. Their contributions to life are selfless. They may be quiet, unassuming, and their greatness may be known only to God. But isn’t it God who will ultimately determine who is great and who is not?