Great

It is amazing how this dictionary thing seems to be the way I am heading.  This morning I was considering the word “great”.  I use it and consider I know what it means when used in a sentence.  But I thought I would look up the dictionary meaning and it mentioned three types of greatness.  One refers to like way over the average.  Another refers to a person like “a great man.”  And another refers to doing something really well.
I do know when I have done something really well.  It is a good feeling.  Whether it is something only I and the boss would know about, or something obvious really makes no difference.  But doing something well does make a difference.
Merril and I have a philosophy that wherever we go we try to leave it better than we found it.  I remember beating someone in table tennis (it can happen) that was way better than me and the recorder could only say “wow.”  I did feel for the guy I beat as at one point he went near Merril to pick up a ball and Merril said to him “there is no way you can win cause I’m praying for Peter.”  That is the sort of thing that could get in someone’s head.
Naturally Merril praying for me does not mean I always win despite the access it gives to great power.  Sometimes, no mostly, no just about always there is something else for me to learn.  It seems I learn lots of other stuff.
Still, I would rather lose that win at any cost.  A great time is more important to me than a great win (though a great time and win is even better).  I just know that when I have not been upfront about something (like knowing a ball touched the table) if I win it is hollow.  Even if I would have won anyway, the deception remains front and centre for me  Instead of exalting in victory, I am reliving the moment I am not proud of.
I reckon I do not need to be mighty and powerful to experience great.  A mighty and powerful person may have more influence, but my good greatness does influence those I have influence with.
For me greatness starts with me.  Being born into greatness does not make a person great.  I have seen it in so many family dynasties.  The father is great and the son squanders.
I am not responsible for the choices of another, but I am for me.  I can not be suddenly great without groundwork. Greatness is a little by little thing.  For me many little things make a big thing.