This quote by Dr Martin Luther King resonates with me for a number of reasons. It’s the thought that “everybody can be great…” that is such a powerful and enlightening awakening. It goes, to some extent, against what some of us were led to believe were the prerequisites of attaining greatness. This is because it sometimes felt, based on previous experience, that to be great you needed to be brash, brazen and dare I say, a bit arrogant.
The realisation that Dr King, all those years ago, was highlighting that being great is synonymous with being able to serve is amazing. Yes, there is humility in being great. The ‘light bulb’ moment is when you accept the privilege and honour to be able to make really positive and inspiring changes to the lives of others. Such a humbling and emotionally charged moment. A moment that stays with you and keeps you going when challenges and obstacles inevitably present themselves.
“The stacks are against some people”, I have heard. “Those who are ‘different’ need to try to fit it or risk exclusion”, I have also heard. “Those of us from a minority background, have a smaller chance of getting opportunities to attain ‘greatness'”, I have heard and felt.
For me, this quote means that nothing can stop you from achieving if you truly believe, achieve and persevere. There’s no need for ‘airs and graces’ or any other forms of pretentiousness. You can be great by being simply being yourself. Yes, you can be great by keeping it real and telling it like it is in your world.
As Dr King said,
“Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”
This Black History Month and beyond, I challenge myself and my readers to accept the mission that has been offered to us. It, most certainly, is mission possible! Together, we can and will be great! The next generation are depending on us!❤
Photo credit:
Nichole McIntosh FRSA 