I think deep down everyone has a burning desire to be great. They want to be the best plumber, the best carpenter, the best mechanic, the best engineer, the best lawyer. They want to be the best dad, the best mom, the best uncle, the best cousin and the best friend. They simply want to be the best – they want to be great.
It’s human nature to want more for ourselves and to want more for others. It’s natural to want to grow and be more.
The other day a good friend of mine gave me a call. We were talking about a recent promotion that I was passed up for. I work full time as a project manager and had been told that I was going to receive a huge bonus for work well done but the compensation didn’t fall through. I was offered a title change but nothing else.
I wasn’t in the best place and my wife and I hadn’t talked in almost 36 hours because of our conflicting schedules. It was in that 36 hour that I received a call from a good friend of mine – my friend Jason.
I was really upset that I had been passed for promotion because I thought there was something wrong with me. Jason didn’t see it that way. He asked me what had happened and listened to my story.
While we were on the phone, something happened. I’m not quite sure what happened, but I felt a shift – I felt lighter. I shared my story with Jason and he just listened.
When I was all done he just said the most beautiful words. He said, Steve, with your skills and experience you can work anywhere you want. You’re going to do great things. I told him how much I appreciated his call and he told me, No Steve. Thank-you. My heart melted. I felt like crying but I didn’t.
In all the years of our friendship, he never said such a thing. It was in that moment I realized what a great person he is – and in his greatness I realized how great I am. If you ever forget who you are, stop and listen to your great friends.
Make great friends and keep them forever. It’s in their greatness that lies the greatness in YOU.
5 Comments
Jassy
May 23, 2009Great story Steve. It’s what friends do – they lift us up and make us feel how much we matter to them and others. They are God’s light that touch us in our times of darkness.
pooj
May 23, 2009hi Steve,
Great thought..!
I happened to read your blog just now, and meanwhile on my messenger I was being ‘bugged’, well thats what i’d call it, by one of my male colleagues…he seems genuine but does irk me at times, so i wouldn’t respond, reading you though made me realise i don’t have a reason to be rude to anyone that way and i responded politely but firmly that i was busy :)
I did learn one on relationships with people we know via your blog!
Vitalia
May 23, 2009Friends are like elevators. They can either bring you up or take you down. It sounds like you choose your friends wisely. :-)
Maximize Your Potential!
Vitalia
Belle
May 23, 2009For years I chose the wrong friends because I stopped listening to my intuition – that gut feeling, you know…
I am blessed for the friends I have now, and most importantly, I am honored they chose me as well!
Steve
May 24, 2009Well said Vitalia.
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