I love the absolute brilliance of variety and diversity in our world. Every sunset is a unique masterpiece. So many different and colorful birds. Music collections of countless genres and masters in so many differing styles, instruments and vocals. Galleries of enchanting art of differing styles and tastes. Social media content creators sharing their talents of seeming unbelievable abilities. I love them all.  I could write volumes on all the amazing varieties of our world.

(U2 at the Sphere in Las Vegas with my wife, Lori.)

What I call greatness may or may not be appreciated by those around me, and boy do we have the means to overshare about that. Still, what I call greatness matters to me, and it’s worth pursuing and worth sharing.

My thirty-three years in education and many travels have introduced me to so many who sadly believe there is nothing great about them, nor ever will be. A good part of my career and passion as a parent, educator, author and speaker has been to convince otherwise.

I remember teaching one of my daughters to drive and in that very special time being alone in the car and free from the chains of devices, she shared a thought on life, “I just want to be great at something, dad.” She was. She is. I told her.

We all want the experience of greatness. Society’s measurements of greatness are harmful. This toxicity spreads into our homes, workplace, leisure and it spoils the living of life in the sense that things we should be proud and happy about are soured by the awfulness of comparison. Comparison can paralyze and impede.

Greatness is not a template or scale that we stand upon to be measured and weighed. I do not need a publisher to tell me my story is worth reading. I do not need a gallery’s invitation to give my art value and meaning. I do not need a calculation of likes or hearts to make a post worthy of sharing. Greatness is not a number in a record book. No, greatness to me is in fact defined quite differently.

Greatness is…

• triumph over your greatest challenge.
• positively impacting the life of another.
• the courage to share something of which you are deeply proud.
• the pursuit of a dream or personal improvement.
• helping others to feel valued.
• deeply personal.

Find your greatness. It looks different for everyone.

Be kind to yourself as you pursue it and measure your greatness against no one but yourself.

Feeling a bit braver? Offer authentic encouragement and joy to another for their efforts.

Getting your feet on the floor in the morning or taking one small step to toward your greatest challenge may seem personally insignificant, but in reality its greatness is as significant as the Olympian who shaved seconds of their last time.

You have greatness inside of you at this very moment. It’s waiting to be released. At any moment you have the capability to do great things. Immerse yourself in the positivity of this knowledge. In that moment of choice to move forward and advance, something wonderful is happening. Greatness.

It takes to courage to be great. The only way we can find the courage is to say ‘yes’ and take action.

Always forward,

Kelly

I am a professional speaker, and I would like to speak at your event.

Order Kelly’s books, Along Came a Leader and Unthink Before Bed: A Children’s Book on Mindfulness for your personal library.

Educator, Author, Keynote Speaker
Twitter: @kellycroy
Instagram: @kcroy
Website: kellycroy.com and wirededucator.com
Podcast: The Wired Educator Podcast
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