What does a GREAT life mean to you? That is one of the most
important questions an adult can ask - and answer.
Too many of us never deeply examine that question. We
fantasize about having money or fame or raising a family,
perhaps owning a house in the towns, but we never
rigorously decide exactly what our one and only, unique,
GREAT LIFE should look like.
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 like an accessory with the "goodies" of life. Sure,
lots of money, a penthouse apartment, political power or
winning the Nobel Prize are wonderful things and I
encourage you to aspire to ALL of them.
But none of them will guarantee you a great life.
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, a GREAT life makes a great contribution. A great life
uses its talents and abilities to make at least one small corner
of the world better. 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, 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 our birthright, whether we express ourselves
in business or government, in art or music, in parenting,
or in any of the thousands of so-called "small" things.
Most people remember a special teacher, and many of us had
an uncle who taught us to whistle or a grandmother who
taught us to read. Perhaps there was a neighbor who taught
us to fish, who gave us our first job, or dared us to
persevere when things were hard.
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, we all 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!
important questions an adult can ask - and answer.
Too many of us never deeply examine that question. We
fantasize about having money or fame or raising a family,
perhaps owning a house in the towns, but we never
rigorously decide exactly what our one and only, unique,
GREAT LIFE should look like.
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 like an accessory with the "goodies" of life. Sure,
lots of money, a penthouse apartment, political power or
winning the Nobel Prize are wonderful things and I
encourage you to aspire to ALL of them.
But none of them will guarantee you a great life.
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, a GREAT life makes a great contribution. A great life
uses its talents and abilities to make at least one small corner
of the world better. 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, 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 our birthright, whether we express ourselves
in business or government, in art or music, in parenting,
or in any of the thousands of so-called "small" things.
Most people remember a special teacher, and many of us had
an uncle who taught us to whistle or a grandmother who
taught us to read. Perhaps there was a neighbor who taught
us to fish, who gave us our first job, or dared us to
persevere when things were hard.
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, we all 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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