Well, it entered my subconscious and I've been thinking a lot about greatness lately. What is greatness? How do I achieve it? What does it look like in my life and sphere of influence? These questions have really been weighing on me.
These are big and tricky questions. I don't have the answers. I've just been doing a lot of brainstorming. I've been reflecting on the races that Adam and I have completed this past year. We now have the title, 'ironman' but does that title make us great? Perhaps in that area of life but what about the other areas? Greatness as a mother, as a wife, as a friend etc. Greatness in these areas becomes a little more vague. There isn't a race to complete and the process is ongoing. The results can't be measured by a finishing time. So how are they measured?? Even in my ironman race, the finishing time was awful but I overcame so much to finish, qualifying for a measure of greatness because of the enormity of the task. Also, every athlete knows that greatness isn't achieved in the race, it's achieved in the training. It's day in and day out, putting in the hours and the time and walking up to that starting line PREPARED. That is a measure of greatness.
I think it's a case of "Olympic fever". At least that's what I'm going to label it. Me and Adam have been such hard core Olympic fans. We normally watch zero television but we ordered cable just for the Olympics. Yeah, we're that hard core. Watching all these athletes compete awakened in me the dreams that I have of being a world class athlete. But, even my ever encouraging parents had to be realistic when I asked them if they thought I could make it to the Olympics. My dad smiled and said, "in what event?" "In triathlon", I responded. Out of love he resisted bursting out laughing, as we both know that I'm too old to start down that path. So that left me with a feeling of "then what??" If not the Olympics, where am I going to find my greatness?
I felt a measure of greatness here.
But that greatness would be empty and short-lived if that's the only area that I felt like I was experiencing greatness. So here are some of my thoughts...
Greatness is sometimes visible to many, sometimes visible to only yourself and God. Some of my greatest moments in life had no applause or approval. My only reward for these quiet acts was a sense of peace and a comfort that I had done something good.
I think greatness involves planning with wisdom and then having the discipline to execute that plan. Sometimes wise planning requires relying on the wisdom of someone else. There's no way I could have prepared well for Ironman without a coach. Other areas of life require relying on the wisdom of others too....like in motherhood.
Greatness sometimes involves doing something different or unusual and it something involves doing something very ordinary. Some may see greatness in my races and athletic pursuits but I see greatness in a friend of mine who, from my perspective, excels as a mother. Greatness can be ordinary, or not.
Greatness might have something to do with fulfilling a divine mission. I believe that God has a plan for our lives. There will be callings that will come to each of us, some 'official', some very unofficial and personal. When we embrace and fulfill these callings, that is greatness. Some of these callings will only come into our lives as we have an open mind, are willing and are courageous.
I have wondered whether to continue with this blog. The only reason I do it is to inspire and help others. I have a journal and I enjoy writing in it, so that's not why I blog. I try not to be a prideful boaster, so that's not why I blog. I love people. I want to do my eensy weensy part to help others, so I figure a blog can help me do a bit of good in the world. I want others to dream and set goals. I do not think everyone should do triathlons though. Two reasons for that: then the sport would get more competitive (wink, wink) and I would have a hard time getting a top finish AND greatness looks different in every person's life. What I hope for you is that you will take a look at your life, have a conversation (or many) with God and try to figure out what greatness means for you in your life at this time. Be open to things you may not have considered. Be willing to dream. Be willing to do things that are amazing. Be willing to do things that are simple and receive no applause. Be willing to be great.
