Greatness Is Not Something You Are Born With

by Eric Armusik

Greatness is not something you are born with.  Greatness is something you achieve, and most of the time; it’s acquired through great struggle, failure, and disappointment.  There’s no equation or scientific formula that can predict who will become great or who doesn't. Being born into a wealthy or prominent family cannot guarantee you greatness nor can it be deterred by a lack of money or opportunity. At the source, greatness comes from the soul of a human being.  Greatness comes from passion, desire, courage, and determination.  If you want to be great as an artist, learn to stand up and be proud of who you are, what you create and what you dream of becoming.  If you don't believe in your innate greatness how can you expect anyone else to?

Example #1

A baby boy was born in a one-room cabin in 1809.  Seven years later his family was forced out of their land, and he’s forced to work to help ends meet.  At age 9 his mother passed away.  With little or no education he has to support his family and begins to educate himself by reading books.  At age 19 his sister dies.  In 1831 a business venture of his fails.  A year later he runs for State Legislature and loses.  Later that year he lost his job and tried to go to law school but couldn't get in.  A year later he was bankrupt.  In 1834 he ran for State Legislature and finally won.  A year later he was engaged but his fiancée died, and he was grief stricken.  In 1836 he had a total nervous breakdown and was bed ridden.  He runs for office two more times in four years and is defeated.  He finally gets married in 1842 and has four children, though only one live to maturity.  He runs for Congress in 1843 and loses.  He becomes a Congressman in 1846 but loses re-election.  In 1850 his son dies.  He runs for Senate in 1854 and 1858 and loses both times.  In 1860 he is elected president.  In 1862 his son dies at age 12.  In 1865 he is assassinated.   This man failed all his life but got back up and kept going.  Today he is one of the most famous presidents of all time - President Abraham Lincoln.

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