Nobility And Greatness.

The cultural whisper since I’ve been able to listen has suggested that everyone should try to be great.  To pursue greatness is tantamount to our existence as Americans, for it we all seek greatness, we are great as a whole.  And if the whole is great, then we can become the greatest whole on the face of this planet.  The benefits of being the greatest whole on this planet should go without saying, but I will expound: security, abundant food, shedding of manual labor, and a high quality of living.

This all seems fundamentally sound, but we’re about to pull the emergency brake and turn this vehicle sideways.  ‘Great’ is but an idea; an idea which manifests itself in our minds as a real place that we try to get to.  In order to bind greatness into one place we must make goals: short term and long term goals.  Short term goals usually provide relief from acute problems, whereas long term goals tend to portray our linelong efforts to amount to something worthwhile.  This is all fine, I suppose.  So the idea has been divided into two categories: short and long term.  And these goals are then truly made manifest as objectives.

Examples of short term goals: Save $2,000; renovate the house; learn Spanish.

Examples of long term goals: Obtain a Bachelor’s in Science majoring in Biochemistry; Have a family of five; retire at 55 years of age.

And that’s when we’ve reached a treacherous place.  The idea was divided, and then subdivided into tangible objectives.  The dream, lofty and floating about the heavens, was ensnared and brought crashing down to the surface where we all live – and we ALL know that where we live kinda stinks after a while — because if it didn’t stink, why would we strive for greatness?  Why would the cultural whisper be so prevalent?

You are graced with good fortune, solid work ethic, and a great supporting cast, and you achive your goals; both short and long term.  Now you are retired, with a B.S. in Biochemistry, and three children plus a wife.  You have a fixed income and you’re truly on top of the world.  Or are you?

It’s disheartening to say, but this person isn’t so rare, and this person is likely itching to achieve something else.  You see, greatness isn’t a place.  It cannot be had my goals and objectives.  Greatness is a state of being in every moment, in my opinion.

And furthermore, greatness is much different from nobility.

I define nobility as a state of greatness with merciful withholding of the application of your power.  Much like a 600 horsepower sports car with a level-headed driver, your output potential is great – destructive even – but your application is gentle, and welcoming.  Nobility was made manifest in powerful leaders with endless resolve and compassion.

Greatness and nobility are all relative, in my humble opinion.  One can be great as an automotive mechanic and noble as a father.  Nobility is undeniable in its presence; one cannot doubt the experience of a noble moment.  This is not bound by socioeconomic status, religion, sex, or geographic location.  Greatness and mercy equal nobility.  Nobility was an inherent lifestyle to maintain by the ancient Greeks, because the cultural whisper made it so.

We’ve lost our way since then, and the whisper has changed from a constant imploring to be noble, to a constant imploring to be great.  But being great can be selfish, and being great can certainly be destructive.

I will work dutifully toward being noble.  Vigilance must be maintained so that each moment is met with greatness and mercy.  There is more that is needed.  This is a standard that we as human beings have come to expect of ourselves, and it is with contrast that we have come to identify these traits.  To be great, one must be excellent in contrast to their surroundings.  And to be merciful, one must be great, for a bum with mercy is still just a bum, as he holds no dominion over any other living thing.  The moment you are tasked with the fate of another living being – be it bagging their groceries, legislature, or CPR – you must make a choice to advance toward or fall away from nobility with your mercy and compassion.

Compassion!  Compassion is similar to love, but it is less subjective and likewise less emphatic.  Compassion is a slow and steady leaking of love without regard for its recipient.  Compassion is that one extra moment of reflection before speaking in a damaging way.  Love has led to hatred and wars and infighting, and for all its marvel love can be a devil.

So perhaps that is the equation that the ancient Greeks lived by, then?  Achieve greatness in every moment without ever arriving at a specific ‘point’, and while maintaining that greatness, weigh all judgements with the resolve of compassion and mercy, which will in turn manufacture a noble moment.

A new cultural whisper is in order!  Let us not strive for greatness.  May we strive for nobility.  Humble, merciful, and compassionate nobility.  Not for our own sake, but for the benefit of mankind.  For our vested interest in prosperity and in peace.

~ by dupu on January 12, 2009.