The Average Path To Greatness

The average path to greatness must always traverse the shadowy contours of our own minds. If we hope to flourish, we need to make space in our lives to observe, like the rising or the setting of the sun on a vast horizon, the many thoughts, moods and emotions that flow, often without impetus, through these beautiful brains we all possess. My perceptions of the world are, in reality, my world, or is it my interpretation of reality? Either way, it's mine and yours is yours.

On a stormy day there is still a stunning sun rise, only obscured in that moment, and for that time. On a stormy day in my mind, there is still a beautiful brain experiencing the world, only obscured in that moment, and for that time. As thunder clouds form on the horizon and close in with howling winds, there is still a beautiful sun providing life giving light and warmth. As the brooding clouds of anxiety form in my mind, there is still a beautiful brain in my being, providing life giving instincts to breath, protect and nurture.

So what is greatness?

Greatness is the ability to find the extraordinary among the average.

Greatness is the ability to find beauty in the darkness.

Greatness is the ability to feel love in the sadness.

Greatness is the ability to find strength in your weakness.

Greatness is the ability to find joy in who you are, not in what you have.

Greatness is the ability to find flow, in the fast and in the slow.

Greatness is the ability to find power in observing the difference.

But observing flow in our minds is like observing a river, flowing both fast and slow. The same river appears to flow ever so slowly until it meets resistance. With resistance a river appears fast and dangerous, much like our minds when it meets resistance. But when we take the time to observe our minds, including especially during times of resistance, angst or even anger we can see it for what it is: a beautiful stream of thoughts, trying to find coherence, safety and calm. The question then is this: are your thoughts your reality, or are they resistance obscuring your reality? If you are honest with this question, you have choices. If you ignore this question, you will likely, one day, have suffering.

So lets all discover greatness together by observing the flow, both fast and slow. The path is hard, but it is yours to choose.

Every day is a day to find greatness in our minds. Because greatness, this greatness, will bring greatness to our time.

#mindfulness #wisdom #hope