Greatness...

Snow falls quietly outside my window as I contemplate world events, those closer to home, and much more mundane. As I think on these things I run across a story of untold heroism and courage, grit and determination and tears as silent as the snow track their way down my face.

We are meant for more...we are meant for great deeds and acts of humanity.

We seek stories of sensationalism when heroes exist walking side by side with the rest of us average humans.

They come in all sizes and shapes, span ages across generations, and often appear in the most unlikely of people.

This is something which occurs without fanfare, especially here in Canada, where braggadocio is rare and self-effacement is the norm.

I've met many such souls across numerous fields of work and life.

The gentleman tasked with picking me up from the airport to ferry me to the tiny Albertan town of Lac La Biche, Alberta. For four weeks, every Monday and Friday he would pick me up and drop me off after a three hour drive. After some coaxing and quiet persuasion he confessed to formerly being a Seargent Major in a Paratrooper forward Reconnaisance group. Once the floodgates were opened, stories poured forth of the brave men and women he had the pleasure of serving alongside. Fellow Canadians, Americans, British, Aussie and more.

The absolute bravery of a American flown Chopper flying in under heavy artillery fire to scoop his bayoneted body up and off to triage. The heavyly accented Texan voice calmly stating over radio that they were on their way and to 'hold damn tight.

As they pulled him from the chopper and onto a stretcher, what he saw took him from amazement to sheer awe at the courage of each of those flight boys. The body of that chopper was riddled with bullet holes, so many he lost count.

Greatness doesn't start big, it starts small. It doesn't announce with trumpets and cymbals...no my friends, the bravest among us do not look for accolades or pats on the back. It stands quietly by while others take the praise, it confidently looks on as others fall back, and stands resolutely protecting the fallen and those unable to protect themselves.

I see it everyday in a forever friend who gets up every morning and does what needs to be done. Bearing up under immense pressure, still she takes the time to listen, to smile, to hand out grace and mercy, to love while her own heart breaks.

Yes, that is courage.

I see it in a son who isn't afraid to stand for family, who quietly goes about doing what needs to be done without fanfare, without asking for anything in return.

Greatness doesn't always come with big stories, or flashy details.

It comes in every day living...it comes with making choices to do more, be more, give more.

We are all meant for this.

Each one of us meant to be the best we can be, whether that involves civilian or military life. Front line work or hidden behind those out front and centre, doing necessary and often dirty jobs so the general populace can live in comfort.

No matter the age, no matter the gender, no matter where along our timeline we happen to be, we have a capacity for greatness. Levelling up season to season.

My prayer for you today is this; that you may find the courage to be the best version of yourself, whatever or however that may come to be.

May God gently remind you of your worth, and what you can accomplish in your lifetime.

All things are possible...dream that dream, write that plan out and watch as your steps lead you to a life full of grace, joy and love.

Each one of us has a destiny meant for more, meant for growth.

"Every individual matters. Every individual has a role to play. Every individual makes a difference." — Jane Goodall

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." — Margaret Mead

We are living in an age of change and discourse that will not be forgotten any time soon.

Let us lead with love where we can, and with a spine of steel where needed and see what changes we can make.

Greatness.

Exists within each one of us.

Each one.