When you go over and beyond self-actualization!

Here's quite an impressive story about my late grandfather, Sheikh Nassib Makarem, may God bless his soul.?

As many might know, Sheikh Nassib Makarem was known as the "Calligrapher of the Great Kings and the Calligrapher of the Lebanese Republic" throughout his lifetime, 1889-1971.

Sheikh Nassib Makarem was awarded 22 medals during his lifetime, in addition to many certificates of honor from various countries in the world... from the Ottoman Sultanate, to start with, to the United States of America, France, Iraq, Palestine, Syria, Egypt, The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and, of course, the Republic of Lebanon, as well.?

So one day, a government minister pays Sheik Nassib Makarem a visit at his home in Aytat, Mount Lebanon, as an envoy from the President of the Republic, to tell him that His Excellency, the President of the Republic is "thinking" of awarding him a certain medal of honor for his achievements.?

Questioning the motives behind such a gesture, Sheikh Nassib responded by telling the minister:

"Tell His Excellency the President that my chest no longer has room for any more medals."?

The message here, with such a response, surely stemmed from his self-actualization. Sheikh Nassib made sure not to be led into subordination nor to be drawn into seeking the approval or blessings of those who consider themselves "great."?

After all, Sheikh Nassib Makarem was one who was awarded all his medals, trophies, and certificates of honor, with all humility and merit...

He made sure to refuse all kinds of flattery and innuendo!

For Sheikh Nassib, personally, he always believed that whoever wanted to award him a medal should not tell him about it in advance nor ask him for a favor in return, but it should rather be a result of his merit, creativity, and achievements... in appreciation of his works and accomplishments.

How much we miss such figures nowadays.