I read a quote the other day that said “If you cannot do great things, do small things in a great way.” Whilst this quote was not attributed to any specific individual, I feel that it is a wonderful way to look at how you go through life, and how you handle adversity and the challenges that life throws at us.
We all meet many different people from an assortment of life backgrounds each and every day. We don’t all move in high end social circles, or have a lot of material wealth, but to my mind that doesn’t – or shouldn’t – matter.
In today’s world, we see a celebrity, whether they be a movie star or professional sportsperson, and you might see them as ‘great’ people because they were your idol growing up or they are fortunate enough to be living your dream, but just remember that they are all human just like you. They may be living your dream existence, but I am pretty sure that they also have fears and anxieties just like you. Their ‘greatness’ does not diminish your own greatness. If you spoke to them, I am sure that they will say that they had fear and uncertainty about how life would turn out. They might also say that all the things that have come with their success would mean nothing without the people that helped them get there – family, friends, their fifth grade teacher who was also their football coach.
For me, I have always suffered from a – somewhat severely – diminished sense of myself and never thought of myself as particularly strong or ‘great’ at anything. I just wanted to have friends, a loving family and be ‘normal’ but there was always a sense within me that I wanted more. I was always awkward around girls as a teen and this carries through to this day in some sense. After going through a number of personal tragedies, losing a sister to cancer and a brother to homicide, as well as my separation and divorce, I became stronger mentally, psychologically and emotionally. I found that, whilst I still consider myself to not be anyone particularly special, I am a good person and stronger than I give myself credit for and that through my own sufferings and grieving can use my new found inner strength to help others. I have found a cause or calling that I am especially interested in, if not full on passionate about. Having struggled all my life with self esteem and mental health issues, I am going to use my new found inner belief to help guide others to greater certainty about themselves and their lives.
I don’t consider myself to be personally great, but if I can give back to others in this way then that small thing will fill any void I may have.
Health-your-self.com 