“To be great is to be misunderstood”

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

We live in a world where greatness is measured by popularity and records broken. Our generation is one of ignorance wrapped within flattery, where sports players and half talented entertainers are paid more than nurses and teachers. It is my belief that in order to truly judge greatness we must first define it. But that may be hard for some because truly how can you define a word that can be used to describe a wide range of subjects.

Admiration plays a huge part in my definition of greatness. If I can’t respect you and to some extent your actions then how can I honestly be in awe of what makes you above the rest. Also, to put it simply, I respect those who first respect themselves-respect for others comes secondly in my eyes. Self-preservation is key to survival in any situation especially now in this time that we live in.

I can not say that I am immune to the charms of actors and models; singers and dancers etc, but why should being an expert at preening in front of camera’s and wearing the latest fashions allow “the Hollywood Elite” to have separate rules befitting their lifestyles. Not to sound childish, but hey if they get them then I want some as well.

Now on to the question at hand

Do I believe that everyone has the potential for greatness? Yes of course I do but not everyone lives up to their potential. I myself as well as many of my fellow classmates are a testament to that. We are seemingly given every possible opportunity in world to succeed in life. If that is true then technically we should have no problem doing well outside of our high school setting once we step into the “real world” but again that remains to be seen.

Also, what about those who don’t live the ideal lifestyle; families living in the ghetto; people starving in Africa; children born into poverty and strife. No one has yet to have given them a get out of jail free pass. Whether or not you believe that these types of people should/shouldn’t be treated differently at the end of the day it doesn’t matter because the majority of the people in the world don’t give a damn about anyone but themselves and I can’t say that I blame them.

"Everyone has the power for greatness, not fame but for greatness, because greatness is determined by service. " - Martin Luther King, Jr.

A/N-I am aware that this essay is really all over the place but I am a bit tired and I think that I may be coming down with something. I know that neither of those reasons are an excuse to give in less than substantial work, but this has to be handed in tomorrow.

Please Forgive Me

dark88poet

Have lovely evening