What is greatness?
I looked up the word and it gave me the definition:
"A concept that is heavily dependent on a person's perspective and biases. The term can be used to emphasize perceived superiority of a person or thing."
So how does one become "great"? Lets say you wanted to reach "greatness". Where would you start?
From the definition we learn that "greatness" is all in the eye of the beholder. To be "great" is to be seen as superior in one or more things. If this were true, we would all be truly "great". But what separates us....from let's say....Alexander the Great. Alexander was a brilliant general and excellent tactical leader. Why? Because people saw him that way. They saw the good, and not the bad. Think about it. All the great men of our generation have very few bad things you can say about. FDR was a drunkard, and was terrible in school. However, he was one of the best presidents of all time. Lincoln was great, but he was extremely ugly. This could be said about the other side. Hitler was "greatly evil". He was remembered for killing millions. However, Hitler was a brilliant man who did well in school and was very good when it came to politics. He was an amazing leader. If he wasn't he wouldn't have been able to do what he did. Does this mean that the leader of the football team who is a total chick magnet and a big buff hot head is "great"? To some yes, to others no. Lets say he breaks his neck in a tragic accident and becomes very spiritual and nice to the weak whom he was originally mean to. He would lose "greatness" in the eyes of some, while others would think he became truly great when he got past himself and concentrated on lives of others.
So what is "Greatness" to you?
To me: A "great" man is a man who is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent (Scout Law). A "great" man is a man who is close to God and his family. Even if a man is not successful, if he does what is ethical, right, and good... He has achieved true "greatness" in my book.
