Last Week in the Military - Day 4: What the Military Taught Me About Greatness

Choose Greatness

There is a moment that occurs long before greatness is achieved. It is the choice we make between “do” and “do not.” Greatness happens long before greatness is ever seen. It is the eventual outcome of choices. Greatness is a return on investment in yourself paid in full using the currency of monotony. Greatness is the baby of the family. She watched and learned from the wisdom, fortitude, and perseverance of her siblings she was fortunate enough to witness. Unafraid of the loneliness of early mornings or the solitude of late nights, greatness thrives because it simply refuses to exist in a world without greatness.?

Greatness is constant motion; a perpetual bias towards action. The great ones are constantly doing. Those that are less than expend their energy formulating excuses as to why they should “do not.” Greatness is versatile. Unaffected by rain or shine, the light of day or the dark of night. The cold does not deter greatness. The heat does not distract her. What is nebulous and daunting to all but a few are but another opportunity for the great ones preceded by a long line of opportunities seized.?

Greatness is a curse, a terminal disease. There is only one way to see, do, feel, speak and walk for the great ones and that is, but of course, with greatness. Those that are less than are frequently annoyed in the presence of greatness. They are presented with questions they cannot answer, challenges they can’t overcome and tasks they can’t accomplish and are soon relegated to spectating as we all sit back to watch what greatness can do. Greatness has many acquaintances but few true friends. Even within her own family she is often shunned and seen as the outcast. But this does not deter greatness for greatness learned a long time ago that in order to understand greatness you must be greatness.

Which leads you to wonder. Am I? Clearly the question is its own answer, for greatness does not inquire, “am I?” She proclaims “I AM!!!” Greatness couldn’t tell you where her snooze button is. She’s never used it. Greatness patiently waited for the alarm to remind her when it would be socially acceptable to begin doing all those things that make her great. Greatness flew when flying was proclaimed impossible. Greatness raised her arms in triumph after everyone else said there was no chance. Greatness dared to dream despite being called foolish. Greatness couldn’t tell you what it feels like to fail. She spends her time iterating, learning new techniques to overcome current day challenges, or achieving.

Greatness lives in a place with room for plenty but occupied by few. She wants nothing more but for you to be great too but will not hesitate to cut you off if she senses you are trying to hold her back. When you see greatness, shake her hand, give her a hug and gaze upon her with compassion for her chosen path was tough. Then ask her how she got to where she is now. She will have no problem sharing her secret with you for she is unafraid of the idea of you becoming greatness. Greatness will tell you about that brief moment right before we choose between “do” and “do not.” We all succumb to the enchanting call of comfort periodically, but greatness, she refuses to make it a habit.?

When greatness passes on the chance to do what she planned on doing today, greatness simply makes sure it is done tomorrow. Though it rarely happens, greatness does slip every once in a while. You can stagger greatness. You can even knock her down. But when you do, just know that your counting is futile. Greatness hears no bell. As soon as she is able to, greatness will get back to her feet and fight on. Let those that are less than focus on tomorrow, stay down for the count, and allow others to convince them to give up. Greatness is driven to accomplish. Greatness is relentless. She will chart a path and make steady constant progress. Sure there are breaks. Everyone needs rest. Sure there is retreat. Everyone has times when they need to regroup and reassess. But for greatness, rest does not lead to yielding nor does retreat lead to surrender. It is simply the evolution of doing.?

Greatness knows when it could have done something better. The difference between you and greatness is that greatness will redo it. Greatness does not settle on good enough. You will get the best that greatness has or greatness will keep trying. So tell me, what will you do today on your quest for greatness? Do not be discouraged. The road to greatness is a long one. It begins with a choice. You will have many of them today. Choices between do and do not, mediocre and superior. Today is the day you become conscious of what you were previously unaware of. You have a choice. You, YES YOU, can be greatness.?When you get to that crossroads of “do” and “do not,” have the courage to choose the ugly, boring, and lonely, path of “do.” Greatness is a journey you will never regret to a destination you will never reach. We are looking forward to seeing you there soon.

Choose greatness!