What Makes Someone Great?

What really makes a person great? What is it about someone that makes one look up to and respect another person? Are there different forms of greatness in life, love, work, friendship and family?

One of the greatest men in my life is my father. He’s a first generation Croatian immigrant who dedicated his life to providing for me and my other five siblings. He would sometimes work seven days a week to ensure that we could play the sports we wanted to, go on school trips and do all the extracurricular activities our hearts desired. He also has a wicked sense of humour that would sometimes infuriate my mother.

His greatness is different from Nelson Mandela; a man who kept his dignity throughout his life and acts as a shining example of how a statesman should conduct himself.

Then there’s my friend Starr who stands by my side even when both him and I know I am embarking on some or other foolhardy adventure or enterprise. He is always there when I come crying on his shoulder when my heart is broken. He always says; “You know monkey I’ll never say, I told you so”, while pouring us a glass of wine, even though I know that’s what he’s thinking.

Even my ex has some great qualities. We had some memorable times together and our bedtime fun was truly awesome on occasion. He has an incredible sense of humour and has the potential to become a great writer too. He also showed me that kissing and showing affection in public is a beautiful thing and is something to be celebrated - but I’m still not going to do it if you’re drunk or doing it because you feel guilty about something you’ve done. It needs to be a sincere gesture.

There have been and still are many great people in my life. People who taught me things about life. People who showed me how to do things. People who supported me when I was going through some or other drama. People who showed me what love is. People who let me love and be loved. People who brought out the worst in me and made me see the dark side of love too. People who put a mirror up to my face and made me see myself for who I am. People who challenged my ideas or decisions. People who brought out the best in me and helped me work on some of the not so good things about me. People who made me laugh at myself and loosen up more.

There have also been those fuckers who are the black holes of my life and filled it with negativity and misery. I try keep away from these types but sometimes their sweet words can be so mesmerizing that you can’t see them for what they are, and before you know it your life takes a wrong turn and you have to work really hard to get back on track.

I believe the universe put all these people in my path for a reason. It may be to teach me a lesson or bring me back onto the right path. But mostly I’ve been very fortunate to come across people who helped me get closer to reaching my true potential or to help them achieve theirs. Sometimes it’s a fleeting encounter, other times it’s a lifelong experience. Whatever the reason and no matter how long the encounter, I try to keep my heart and mind open to the all possibilities and experiences so that the greatness in all of us can shine through.