What Makes You So Great? What Makes Anyone Great?

It is in my plans to make this one of the most content-rich blogs on the internet. With that in mind, I may feature a guest blogger now and then when I am struck by what they have to say.

Many people, especially artist people, suffer from a quiet anxiety over legitimacy –  if they do not have letters after their name, a college degree, or the “correct” amount of formal education.

When I read the following in my sister’s newsletter, I asked if I could share it with you because it is truly wonderful.

So without further preamble, here’s Cassis . . .

What Makes You So Great?What Makes Anyone Great?

On the scales of judgment that rule so prevalently in this country, what makes the difference between greatness and being not so great?

Is it what you DO for a living that makes you great? Is it how you prepared for that DOING, i.e. number of years of formal education, degrees, certifications?
Or, is it who you ARE? Who you aspire to BE? Who you’ve BECOME?
 

I applied to college last night for the first time in my 53 years of learning. Some of the questions on the application ignited in me a familiar feeling of inadequacy. Not that I didn’t know the answers, but that the answers seemed so “less than great.”

After I hit the submit button, I closed my eyes and sat with that feeling; allowing it to go wherever it needed to go and tell me whatever it needed to say.

Suddenly, a wise and wonderful voice rose to the surface and said in a very authoritative manner, “Don’t be Ridiculous!” I recognized that voice immediately. It was an echo from the past. The voice of a highly educated and accomplished man who left this world too soon. “Thanks, Dad,” I said to myself.

And then I decided to indulge in the process of personal inquiry and brave the question, What makes me so great?

And here’s the first thing that came to mind. Like Steve Jobs, I didn’t get a college degree. And also like Steve (as written so eloquently by his sister in her heartfelt eulogy), “Love was his supreme virtue, his god of gods.”

Love…that’s what makes me go great. I believe in love in all it’s forms. I believe that love is the most powerful force in the Universe. Love can heal and evolve us from any state of not so great to pure greatness. Love of self. Love for one another. Love of the planet.

Because of love, I know who I am. I know what I’m made of and what I can and need to do to bring a message of hope, faith and healing to a world that tends to place love in the back seat and allow fear to take the wheel.

This powerful process of discovery served to melt those feelings of not being enough and reminded me of what is truly important in my life.

So, I am going to college! I’m happily expanding my mind and my horizons. I’m pursuing only the subjects that will help fortify my mission to teach mindfulness, movement and wellness in the world.

I’ve learned volumes in this first half of my life. Now I’m excited to see what lies in store for the second half!

I’m feeling pretty great right now. I hope you are too.

Love,


Cassie
Founder, The Alternate Path
cassie@thealternatepath.com

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