A vision of greatness

It's Wednesday and it's time for some wit and wisdom.

This time from Dr. Cornel West.

He's a professor, a philosopher, and of course, a presidential candidate.

Because it's 2023 and why the hell not?

His words come from an interview on PBS with his frequent collaborator, Tavis Smiley.

West argues that we need to have a habitual vision of greatness.

You see, you have to believe in fact that you will refuse to settle for mediocrity.

You won't confuse financial security with your personal integrity.

You won't confuse your success with your greatness or your prosperity with your magnanimity.

If you have a vision of greatness, there's something that's luring you all the time for something grander than you.

And of course, as a Christian, for me, he who is greatest among us will be.

Your Servant, the quality of your service to others.

Do you find joy in your service to others?

Do you actually believe, in fact, that living is connected to giving?

With that vision comes responsibility.

Well, those things require what?

People willing to pay a price, bear a burden.

And if you think it's cost-free, if you think there's no price to be paid, then it's easy to slide back into

Conformity, complacency, and that goes hand in hand with our market-driven, narcissistic, hedonistic society where more and more people are concerned just about getting over as opposed to being a better, more decent, compassionate human being.

These words stayed with me, shaping me for the better part of two decades.

I come back to them when I need to remember that burdens aren't always bad things to bear.

What do you think?

And what burdens do you carry?

Let me know what you think in the comments at jamesbrowntv.substack.com

Email: jamesbrowntv@gmail.com

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