What About You?

A blogger said, greatness comes in surprising places.

For the last ten years, I have been fortunate to meet and mingle with a number of people -- some big and famous, others, truly great; mostly, incredibly talented, and a few, simply popular. A few years back, I wrote a piece for my 25th birthday (and that was admittedly a long time ago, hehe) about the 25 influential persons I called “heroes and heroines of my life”.

Pondering about the more than 13 million Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW), I believed that most are endowed with talents and skills to excel even in the most menial tasks they do and in the most hostile environment they are in. I know that from the people I am working with, and from the OFWs I know and mingle with. Most OFWs are head and shoulders above others, and are considered as company's assets, though, sadly, that do not always translate to higher salaries. And each individual, OFW or not, is inherently special, unique, and in possession of abilities and capacities to be admired.

Some are endowed with pretty or handsome faces while others are blessed with sexy and hunky bodies, though this may be nothing compared to having an excellent health.

Some are great thinkers; great ideas, thoughts, and wisdom flowing freely from their beautiful minds. Some are mathematicians, scientists, economists, and the best teachers laying the foundation and molding the minds of children of the countries they are serving.

Some are blessed with tremendous wealth, high salaries, success in businesses, and elevated to higher positions. Some are gifted with creative hands: sculptors, cartoonists, architects, artists, and painters. Some are masters of music and excel in playing the guitar, drums, piano, and other musical instruments. Some possesses angelic and soothing voices, are singing sensations, and divas on their own.

Some are natural leaders; born to lead and influence others,while others serve as doctors, engineers, and the best technicians in their field.

Some are poets, and others are writers of the best-selling books in the world. Some are programmers, graphics artists, and photographers.

Very many others take the world by storm because they are the best in a particular field.

I believe that each and every OFW is brought to their individual host nation with some special purpose. Well, anyone can refute that, but that’s what I believe in. Only He who knows what His plans for us, and for me, we are here for a reason. I believe too, that we are here to make dreams -- ours' and others'-- come true, and to contribute something unique for the world to be a better place. I believe that each of us is endowed with gifts and talents to realize that. I truly believe that we have the best within ourselves, and that in our own little way, we can make a difference. We don’t need to be famous to be the best. We know that deep within us, there lie goodness and a longing to be the best, to matter, and to be remembered.

In the words of Anthony Robbins, “I decided many years ago that the most important way I could spend my life would be to invest it in something that would outlast it. I decided that somehow I must contribute in some way that would live on long after I was gone.”

There is greatness in each and every one of us. The problem is we define greatness to be almost synonymous with fame. We can be the best; we can be great to ourselves, and to our loved ones. That greatness will be worthy for emulation and will touch others to unleash the greatness within them too.

Some are great fathers, great mothers, great brothers, great sisters, outstanding teachers, the best nurses, great engineers, and even great bloggers. PEBA is not choosing the top 10 GREAT bloggers, but the top 10 Best and Inspiring bloggers. I firmly believe that that inspiration is the seed to greatness. You can be inspiring, you can be the best, but you need to work it out to become great. Greatness for me means you not only sit and relax because you’re the best, but also wanting to develop the best out of people. Those who stand up and roll their sleeves, leaving their comfort zones and making a difference in people's lives – without expecting anything in return -- are truly what we call great.

There are very many people who know what to do, but only a few do what they know they should do. Life is great, but it is greatness to give something positive to those who think that life is a mess.

We have read several people with disabilities and frailties, and yet despite of being handicapped, they overcome self-pity and wallowing. Instead they work on to become some of the greatest in this world. Remember that we as living souls have twins within us; our bodies may have limitations but our spirits are divine in potential.

Some master their fields and make this world a better place. Some simply rose to greatness because they decided to share their very best.

What about you? Become your own person. Don’t bury your talents. Nurture it. Let it flourish. Share it.

Kenji is Mr. Thoughtskoto in the blogging world. His story and his life is one of endurance: he was six when his dad left him; he is the eldest among four siblings; his mom died of cancer when he was 16; he self supported himself through college. He now works as a quality engineer in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia, and is a doting father to Hevyn and a loving hubby to Shiela (and adds: "a grandfather to Hevyn's pet duck".)