Greatness is the most common attribute amongst humans confused and exaggerated heavily by clever men tainted with self-interest . We have learned to associate it with largeness, intellect and exquisitely rejoice at the notion of granting it to a few. Some clever person might remark on a soldier to be a stupid person fighting for a misplaced cause; or to be a puppet in the hands of a war profiteers. This is not an uncanny observation- most humourists, satirists intellectuals share this notion. But this notion cannot challenge a soldier’s greatness for a very simple reason: their extraordinary feats of endurance. How many of us can claim to possess that? The question is not about holding a gun, even the person shooting down an innocent civilian shares the same position. It’s the man sitting across a line of trenches in freezing or boiling temperatures, enduring, by choice. His reason behind that choice is open to interpretation, but his position, his choice to endure, his mere presence ensures the security of many, and every ounce of that sacrifice is nothing but worthy of utmost respect.
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Greatness is that one step we so often take, that its literary value has suffered a serious decline, and in attempts of its preservation, we have assigned it a legend-like figure. Greatness, in fact, is simple. It’s in every choice that defines your character in the eyes of the world; those choices that set the perimeter of your morality. It’s that choice that brings you closer to who you are. greatness is in saying No to something that compromises your values, even if it means upsetting a crowd, the people expecting you to comply, letting down your friends, even your loved ones. Greatness is in standing up for what’s right when nobody’s watching, without the incentive of a reward. Greatness is in empathy- rescuing an animal, feeding the hungry- without context, without any strict motivations- helping someone to get back up. But understand that greatness does not strictly mean being good, although goodness is a form of greatness.
The larger essence of greatness is in self betterment and self actualisation. Know thyself. You, too, have greatness in you. It is not reserved for only a few. Stop being scared of it. You are the descendent of men who have carried the burden of humanity on their shoulders; men who crossed the lines that hadn’t been drawn for them; men who failed time after time and then emerged from the ashes of their defeat, victorious; men who have died without fear, without remorse, in the hope of a better tomorrow; and also men who have burned down the world to see it bend to their will. You are the result of both chaos and wonder; of will and desire. You have in your blood purity and the absolute will to dominate, to cause limitless destruction. There is , in you, the indomitable spirit to achieve anything, but the means by which you achieve those things will decide your character. To partake in the murder of nature or take a stand for its conservation are two sides of the same coin. You are the product of both the extremes. And most importantly, you have tomorrow. Tomorrow being the greatest gift to mankind and the eradicator of all theories about you from the past.
So, those who say, ‘only a few of us are deserving of greatness’, you are the living example that obliterates the meaning of any such saying. We all have our fair share of critics, non-believers, sceptics, the displeased disinterested bunch of people, and some who even hate us. Stop seeking their approval, those who are not impressed by you, abandon them; the only one whose approval you should seek is your own. Stop being a follower. Your greatness is within you. You are already born with it. All you need to do is activate it. Genius is nothing but the willingness to give up everything, to be willing to die for your dream- it’s that hard work that your competitors cannot even dream of. But do not fall prey to smugness, pride, conceit, for they will not only harm you but most certainly become your end.
So, rise, my friend. Do not continue wearing the cloak of ordinariness simply because you haven’t been told by anyone of your greatness. I am telling you right now, You can achieve anything. You can change the world. But you will have to start writing your own story, instead of having your critics, doubters and haters write it for you. Be the author of your own life. Understand, recognize and amplify your greatness.
I hope this article fills some confidence in those who doubt themselves as doubting yourself is only an assumption you’re taking seriously. It is doing nothing but sending a confirmation to those who wish to see you fall.
Let’s grow together. Let’s achieve our best together.