What does a GREAT life mean to you? That is one of the most important questions an adult can ask - and answer. No one wants to live a life of misery, but in many ways I think it's even more important that we refuse to live a life of boredom, repetition, or a life filled with "partly cloudy" days. Too many of us settle for safety or comfort or convenience instead of actually living our own unique and wonderful lives. I think it was Henry Thoreau who said he did not want to find, when it was time to die, that he had not truly lived. Too many of us fantasize about having great wealth or fame or power, or owning a house in the Hamptons, but we never seriously decide exactly what our one and only, unique, life should look like! Rather than fantasize about the unlikely, why not actually create an life that is truly your own?
We all know that a great life does not happen by accident. A great life is not easy and it does not come with a diploma, a promotion, getting married (or divorced), having kids or retiring early. It cannot be inherited and it never comes packaged with the "goodies" of life. Sure, money, a penthouse apartment, political power or winning the Nobel Prize are wonderful things.But none of them will guarantee a great life.It seems to me that a GREAT life has a grand purpose, a central theme and a unifying vision. A great life is a lifestyle that is chosen "on purpose" and is lived in the service of a vision greater than itself. A great life is living "a life of one's own" and it is invested, not merely spent.Second, it seems to me that a GREAT life makes a contribution. A great life uses its talents and abilities to make at least one small corner of the world a better place. A great life stands up, speaks out, and gets things done. A GREAT life makes a difference and leaves the world better than we found it. Third, it seems to me that a GREAT life leaves a path for others to follow. It is good to do great things; it's even better to do great things and teach others to follow your lead. A GREAT life leaves a legacy. A GREAT life inspires the next generation to go further, reach farther, dream bigger and achieve more. I am convinced that every one of us has the right to a GREAT life. Greatness is not reserved for a lucky few, for the rich or the powerful, for the artistic or for any small category of people. Living a GREAT life is the birthright of every human being, whether we express greatness in designing tall buildings, or by teaching children to stand tall.
Greatness is your birthright!
I love the story of the "star thrower," about a man walking on a beach after a storm, throwing starfish back into the ocean so they won't die on the shore. Someone criticizes him for wasting his time, noting there are millions of starfish and the few he saves won't make much difference. The man silently bends over, throws a starfish into the surf and replies, "It made a difference for that one."Set it as your minimum standard to live a GREAT life, to make a difference and have some fun! Eventually, down the road one day, each of us must look back and assess our life, and when that time comes we want to smile, knowing we did it right. Set that as your standard, and go for it!
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