“… we cannot achieve greatness unless we lose all interest in being great. For our own idea of greatness is illusory, and if we pay too much attention to it we will be lured out of the peace and stability of the being God gave us, and seek to live in a myth we have created for ourselves. It is, therefore, a very great thing to be little, which is to say: to be ourselves. And when we are truly ourselves we lose most of the futile self- consciousness that keeps us constantly comparing ourselves with others in order to see how big we are.”  – Thomas Merton

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The quote above came from a wonderful book : The Great Work of Your Life by Stephen Cope. It looks at the lives of great masters and ordinary people to see what it took for them to listen to, and follow what felt to be their true calling.

Reading about other people’s journeys reminded me the individual’s purpose is so unique, and shouldn’t be discounted if it seems too “small” or not making a big enough impact. The nurse, the teacher, the friend, the artist, the mother, the assistant, whatever it may be… is incredibly important and a sacred role to fill, especially when it is aligned with your heart and your life’s work.

It’s worth exploring.