Are you 1 OF 7 billion…OR…1 IN 7 billion?

*This post is dedicated to Kimberly Gant. A woman who has achieved GREATNESS of her own*

About a year ago, I discovered this amazing gift. At the time, this gift was simply 1 OF 7 billion in the world. (Pretty rare huh lol?) . Bare with me here, I’m taking you somewhere. As I became more aware of the potential GREATNESS of this gift, its value began to grow. I saw that his gift could go from valuable to invaluable, limited to limitless, good to….GREAT. What was this gift?...A seed, BUT, not just any old seed. This seed was 1 IN 7 billion. I believe that deeply planted within all of us lays the seed of GREATNESS, anxiously waiting to bloom. I write this specific blog because I have a sincere desire to help you surround that seed with the nourishment that will allow that seed to blossom. If you are someone who seeks to achieve your deepest desires, I believe you will find this message GREAT for you.

As you read the words on this page, do not make the mistake in letting the message remain confined to the computer screen. Let the words jump off the monitor so that you may internalize the message. You deserve to be made aware of the untapped potential of your GREATNESS. Sometimes it is hard to take an honest look at ourselves without feeling a bit uncomfortable. Battling through this temporary discomfort is simply another forward step in our progression toward nurturing the seed of GREATNESS.

One of society’s misconceptions of the word GREATNESS is that it is reserved for a select few….The rich, the famous, the political and social elite… Certainly these individuals have achieved a level of GREATNESS of their own. However, I’m here today to tell you (and you can quote me) that no matter your social status, age, financial standing or physical appearance, within all of us lays the potential to become truly GREAT. The moment that we recognize it, honor it, and live to become the GREAT person you can be, we will live a much happier and fulfilling life.

Of the approximately 7 billion people that walk the face of the earth, we were all born with a unique genetic makeup (including identical twins). Yet, some of us perceive ourselves simply to be 1 OF 7 billion, instead of 1 IN 7 billion. There is a slight difference in word choice, but the implications are enormous. What does this mean?... It means we are all blessed with a unique gift…I’m sorry. Let me make this more direct….YOU are blessed with a unique gift. Something that no one on the world can do quite like you… A gift that cannot be replicated by the 3,999,999,999 other humans. The ultimate act of selfishness would be to deprive the world of our value. On the other hand, the ultimate act of giving is to nurture that seed of GREATNESS and share it with the world… How do we find what our true value is?... The answer is simple in the sense that it has always been with you. You just may not have recognized it. Here are some questions that may help. What is it that gets you so excited that it could keep you awake all night? What is it that you could do all day with a feeling of excitement? What do you consistently find yourself attracted to? No idea is too big or too small for you. Your GREATNESS is not dependent upon what society perceives it to be. After all, it is YOURS, right. Take ownership!

While I was at the Yale Pre-MBA Leadership Program, I was fortunate enough to meet a fellow participant named Jon McCoy (not the John from the last post LOL). It was clear that Jon had a bright future ahead of him. At the time, he was beginning a career in Consulting at Booz Allen Hamilton, a top tier consulting firm. A few months into his career Jon sent out an announcement that he had left Booz for a greater opportunity, one that would maximize his potential for GREATNESS. This was quite a bold move for a 22 year old with an amazing job. Jon is now National Program Manager of Operation Hope’s 5 Millions Kids Program.

As National Program Manager, Jon and the children of 5 Million Kids (5MK) have entered the Pepsi Refresh Challenge. Pepsi will be giving away a $250,000 grant to support great ideas. You can show your support for Operation HOPE’s 5MK by clicking the following link.  aahttp://refresheverything.com/fivemillionkids.

What is interesting about us as humans is that we have this obsession with measuring everything. We feel all things must have a number tacked to it signifying its value. A common quote says “if it exists, it can be measured.” The problem with this idea is that things that can be measured must also be finite or limited. When it comes to our GREATNESS and the value we bring to the world, there is no number that can be attached. The number of iPod’s sold by Apple can be counted, but the company’s impact on technology is limitless. Michael Jordan making $30 million dollars in a single year contract can be measured, but the way he changed the game of basketball is limitless. The amount of money Jon makes or kids that he works with can be measured, but the impact he has on their lives is limitless. I say this because I believe that our true GREATNESS lays in our pursuit and execution of things that have an immeasurable value.

We all must understand that GREATNESS is not reserved for a chosen few, but deeply embedded within us all. It is our responsibility is to provide our seed of GREATNESS with the proper nourishment so that it may grow. By pursuing our greatest desires, I believe that we are sharing with the world the gift which makes all of us unique. In doing this, our own GREATNESS is realized and we see that our value becomes….INVALUABLE.

I appreciate you taking time to check out this post.  Feel free to leave comments, even if you’re not tagged.

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