Greatness

Death is not the worst thing that can happen to man--Plato

There is something far worse than death that plagues humanity...

A force that devours dreams.

Defiles dignity.

And steals of the souls of men.

Mediocrity.

Since the beginning of time, this fiend has seduced many into a false sense of security.

Unlike most vices, which lurk in the darkest corners of our mind, this creature comes out during the day to play. It disguises itself in a cloak of comfort and waits until we are at our weakest to strike. When victims are weary from work. Tired of toiling. And ready for relief. This is when mediocrity slips in, singing songs of "someday" and lulling us with words of want. We drink deep from the deep from the wells of desire. 

Food. 

Alcohol. 

Entertainment. 

Indulgence after indulgence, we spin out of control, and eventually fall into complacency.

We settle in. Settle down. Settle for. And settle with... 

Mediocrity picks us up off the floor with a paycheck, and buys us some time. But money only blinds us from the reality of the situation. 

The more that we consume, the more we are consumed.

A house. 

A car. 

A TV. 

All building blocks of the grand facade. This, is where Mediocrity lives. On the road that leads to status quo. With each new thing Mediocrity sinks its fangs deeper and deeper, poisoning us with momentary thrills. Mediocrity feeds on our greatest gifts; creativity, ambition, and resolve. In return we get just enough to keep us at bay. The marks of it's bite can be seen on the blank faces of it's victims. The living dead. Zombies trudging through the world with no purpose. No motivation. No life. 

But no one morns these lost souls. 

Why? 

How can one ever die, if one never truly lived? Answer: They never existed in the first place.

Becoming another drone in this army of average is a terrifying thought. Buzzing about from one place to the next. Completely submissive to the hive mind. Never daring enough to think for themselves. Never willing to go out on their own. 

There is only one thing that can protect us from the same horrific fate.

Greatness.

Mediocrity fears Greatness. For Greatness knows no boundaries. It has no equal. It will stop at nothing to achieve its goals. It has no excuses. Nor does it complain. Greatness doesn't give in or look for the easy way out. Greatness has inner strength. It is bold. It willing to fight. Greatness acts and does not mind failure. Not even Death can stop Greatness from continuing on. Greatness is remembered. It is celebrated. It is replicated. Through memory and song. Through laughter and pain. Through books and buildings. 

Most of all, through the actions of those whom it touches. 

We must look for greatness everywhere we go. In everything we do. Lest we spend the rest of our days roaming the wastelands of inexistance in search of mirages that only lead us closer and closer to oblivion. 

Many chase after Greatness, but their efforts are in vain. For they look on the outside. But Greatness resides within. In our hearts and our minds. 

Greatness isn't found in plans or ideas. 

It's found in actions. 

Little moments of boldness that cross the lines between Fear and Madness. Greatness holds a balance between both, which are always trying to pull us over the edge. Because of this, Greatness never rests. It's always on the move. If you stay in one place for too long, you'll lose it. But there's no mistaking when you've found Greatness. Because it speaks loud and true. All those who hear it, listen. It lifts us out of obscurity, and raises us to new heights. Each new challenge we face broadens our horizons. 

Mediocrity is too lazy to fight against Greatness. Instead, it retreats, hoping one day we'll get tired and fall back into the mundane routine. 

This is why we must dedicate ourselves to the pursuit of Greatness. 

Not as a chase. 

Rather, as a dance across time and space. 

Revolutions and revelations of life itself. 

And in the end, when the waves of darkness come crashing down, we will walk hand-in-hand with Greatness along the shores of Eternity. 

No wants. 

No regrets. 

Just transcendence.

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And he has a book on military transitions here: http://www.amazon.com/About-Face-Josh-Coker-ebook/dp/B00N4GYB84/

Eternal Gifts

Stop justifying.

Stop pretending.

The only person you’re fooling is yourself. The reason you procrastinate is that you’re scared.

Scared of change.  

Scared of failure.

Scared of vulnerability.

And in order to hide your cowardice, you’ve chosen to commit the ultimate transgression.

Uglier than abuse.

Crueler than torture.

Yours is the sin of Neglect.

You neglected your dreams. You locked them away in a dark dungeon called “someday,” deep in a fortress of solitude. You chained them to the walls of insecurity and sat them down on a foundation of fear. Shrouded in a smokescreen of obligations, this pit remains hidden from the rest of the world. They’ve all fallen for the facade of busy-work you’ve created. Words like, “maybe, probably, hopefully,” are the demons that torment your dreams. They whip and lash, bite and gnash until your dreams have no choice but to hide in the dark recesses of the mind.

There they sit and fester--seething on the inside.

Without proper attention, your dreams grow weak and tired. They hunger for the smallest of interactions. A letter or a phone call. But every time you revisit them, they seem more and more pathetic. It’s hard to look them in the eyes because you know you’ve failed them--completely.

Then, shame sets in and you try to justify your actions.

This wasn’t your fault. There were important things to do. Other people who needed you.

Work.

Friends.

Family.

Obligations.

This goes on and on until eventually, you wish that your dreams would just disappear. You desire nothing more than to be free of their burden, so you allow the waves of time to drown them out and wash them away.

But dreams are not earthly things.

They are eternal.

They are immortal.

They are everlasting.

These specters take the form of regret. And they will come back to haunt you. You, who abandoned them. Who forsook them. Who ignored them. And with one simple question, “WHY?” they will eat away at your soul--one salty, rotten piece of dignity at a time. What will you do when these nightmares confront you in the dark? Where can you run? Where can you hide? Who can you turn to on the day of reckoning? Did you think that the world would protect you from their vengeance?

Heed this warning before it’s too late.

Don’t wait until your life is all but spent.

Take action now.

Yes, it’s risky. Because the moment you take action, your dreams are no longer safe. The world is allowed inside. They can finally see you for what you are. Every flaw and every fault is on display. Make no mistake, it will be painful at times. The world is the consumer of egos and the ultimate judge. It will chew you up, and spit you out.

If your dreams aren’t strong enough, they might end up broken.

And you assume that must be avoided at all costs.

But it is quite the opposite.

Your dreams must be challenged and given a chance to grow. Like a toddler learning to walk, they’re bound to get bumps and bruises along the way. But this is necessary for them to fully develop. Dreams need a little friction. Like a muscle, they must first be torn down before they can be built back up. They must be pushed to failure constantly. Over time they’ll grow big and strong. You’ll build confidence in your abilities and soon enough your dreams will break free from the chains that bind them. The walls of insecurity will crumble and the foundations of fear will collapse under the mighty power of your dreams. A new sense of direction will lead you through the shroud of obligations and into great lands of adventure.

There, your dreams will face the world head-on.

No mettle is mightier, no blade sharper, than those forged in the flame of adversity. And so too, will your dreams be. Battle after battle, challenge after challenge, your dreams will lay waste to all those who question your resolve. Even the Fates themselves are no match for your dreams, for those who take hold of their future steer their own destiny.

Alas my friend, at some point your journey will end.

Everyone’s does.

Take solace in this somber, yet sobering truth.

For it is the only promise that will never be broken.

After sailing along the waves of time, we all reach shores beyond life’s horizon. It is both the final destination and a new beginning. On this glorious day, you will face the ultimate challenge.

Death.

She is mistress of the afterworld and keeper of mysteries. Her undying beauty is known throughout the universe, as is her prodigious power. In her hands, she holds the keys to eternity. One leads to absolution, while the other leads to pain. In order to pass peacefully, you must submit a worthy gift. Yet, many meet Death unprepared. They cower and cry out, begging for more time. Others come empty handed and are completely forgotten. But unlike all those who came before, you will look Death in the eyes and embrace her with open arms.

Because you know her secret.

Dreams are not earthly things.

They are eternal.

They are immortal.

They are everlasting...     

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