Where do you see greatness? Think about this question for a moment. Do you see it in your family, your friends, coworkers? The real question is do you see it in yourself?
I have a friend that the word "greatness" is a normal part of her vocabulary. She uses it in everyday conversation about herself and others. It is not presumptious when she tells you she sees your greatness, or she recognizes her greatness, because it is her way of life. When I spend time with this person I feel empowered, that I can accomplish anything! She consistently recognizes my victories in life-no matter how small. Even when I try to undermine myself, she brings it back to my greatness and what I have done and what I will do. She often says that what you see in others, you already possess, that is why I know she sees and lives in her greatness daily because of what she so easily recognizes in others.
So I ask you (and myself) do you see the greatness in you and can you recognize it in others? Truth of the matter is, if you see it in others, you see it in yourself! Sounds simple doesn't it. But, not only do you need to see it in yourself, you need to accept it. Let me demonstrate...
I recently received a note of greatness from an 11 year old girl. In her note she told me how much fun I was to be around, how kind, how positive and how I inspire her. When I read the note my heart was overwhelmed and full as I was truly humbled that I could touch the heart of a child in this way. Her greatness recognized my greatness and an amazing interaction took place. But it is what happened next that is truly profound.
The following week, I hit a wall of negative emotion. I was tired, overwhelmed, frustrated, angry, and saw not one ounce of greatness in myself!! You would think after getting such a note the week before that I would remember who I was and be able to shake the negativity off, but I wasn't.
I met with my counselor and shared all my frustration. In the course of our discussion, I pulled out the note and shared it with her and she had me do something that was ackward and difficult, read it in first person. I struggled, I cannot say these words about myself! But she persisted, so I did and boy was it difficult. So, got through it, but then she said for the next week I want you to read this aloud in the first person everyday. Internally I groaned, but agreed. Over the days that followed I was amazed at how energized Ifelt! How the cares of earlier that week semed to dissipate. How I was able to hear my heart so much better and what it was saying versus my head and what it was saying. In addition, I was able to recognize not only my greatness but see it in others as well. I came to understand more fully the statement that what you see in others you also see in yourself, these words now took hold in my heart!
Here is what is truly incredible that I was was reminded-by an amazing 11 year old, that greatness is a part of my life and how I live, I just needed to see it for myself and not just go through the motions. What she saw in me was greatness, I just needed to see it for myself! So I ask you again...do you see your own greatness? Trust me, once you do and accept it, a new perspective will come into play and you will look at yourself differently, I know I do.
