Ordinary, Daily Greatness

We just finished watching Secretariat.

I smirked as Uno raised her hands during the tense moments of the race, giggled as Tres danced through the credits in a happy little bob.

Dos, well, she fell asleep through the middle but cheered at the end as we watched Secretariat decisively win by 31 lengths.  Then she asked what that big red horse’s name was.

I’m sitting here with a throbbing pain at the bridge of my nose, trying not to cry.  Because I’m a blubbering idiot when it comes to watching greatness in action.

I hope you don’t mind I’ve had a few serious-themed posts in a row.  I suppose it’s a mood brought on by the exhaustion of trying to recuperate from the family reunion and the realization that every day you wake up, put one foot in front of the other, and choose to be productive and positive is, in fact, a sincere accomplishment.

(One that is best accomplished with the help of strong coffee and many fluid ounces of Coca-Cola.)

Today my sister and brother-in-law stopped by.  We got news that she is expecting another little girl this December and we couldn’t be happier!

Everywhere they go my sister and brother-in-law work to make the people around them feel comfortable, loved and supported.  Their daughter is a joy to be around and a witness to the authenticity of their desire to treat others with respect.

Just being around them is watching ordinary, daily greatness in action.

My husband is also one of ordinary greatness.  No matter what challenge faces him he looks for a way to be a blessing to the situation.  He is gracious and responds soothingly when others throw fiery arrows at him.  He’s not perfect (who is?!), but he’s a role model to me, our family, and the people around him.

That’s ordinary, daily greatness.

The world looks at the amazing, the shocking, the stunning – and they should!  Watching Michael Phelps in action is breathtaking.  That goal by Abby Wambach in the World Cup made my stomach sink with pride at her skill!

But, similarly, when I watch Uno give Dos a stuffed animal in contention just so she can try to be a part of the solution instead of the problem, that’s greatness on a normal, everyday scale I might miss if I don’t make the choice to note it.

I’ll never forget my good friend’s wedding day.  Both she and her husband were from divorced families – in fact, both of their parents had divorced and remarried twice (yes, that’s eight broken marriages between them).

I still believe walking down that aisle and choosing to place her faith in a covenant she knew full well could go terribly wrong was the bravest thing I’ve ever seen anyone do.

That was greatness.  (And they’re still happily married, which is also awesome!)

My challenge to you today is to take a look around your world.  Look hard.  See where your heart tightens and your sense of pride flourishes.

Then appreciate it.  Remark on it.  Be grateful for it.

Because that’s the good stuff.

What examples of ordinary greatness do you have in your life?