What defines greatness? Power, money, or person? We live in a confusing time, consumer societies are reduced to money and what is needed: power, in the most intimate and closed circles always value altruism and humility as fundamental values that make great people. More than ever, the phrase of the Baron of Montesquieu is blunt: “To be truly great you have to be with the people, not above it. “
The problem arises when they think we need to be above others, internalizing stereotypes that make us feel better than others and fostering competitiveness. The groups we form with our family, friends and colleagues are full of distortions and prejudices.
- If a group is very conservative.
- It will boast of its values and its adherence to standards.
- Discrediting the change or transformation of things; if a group is very innovative.
- It will have a new rhythm of time and evolution.
- Regardless of the roots.
- And processes that are respected when the past becomes important.
- To be truly large.
- We need to see people as nuanced people.
- Not stereotyped and inferior groups.
What’s the first thing we do when we get good news?Think about when you’ve been able to accomplish something like, for example, finishing college, finding a job, living with your partner, all this news that fills our hearts with joy are more satisfying if we share them.
When we share with people, we feel more satisfied with life and connect more with others, keeping our bodies and brains healthy for longer. This was demonstrated by the “Adult Development” study, the longest-running happiness research that began 76 years ago and continues today at Harvard University.
For decades, study participants answered questions about their families, their work, their lives in the social environment; In addition, researchers also had access to their medical records as their health status evolved, not only from the perception of study participants, but also through the use of tangible data, such as those described in medical records.
It was extracted from this study that relationships give us energy when we invest in them, when we dedicate time to them, becoming more alive and less exhausted, this happens when we cooperate and do not compete to be above others. On the other hand, even if the social tendency is to isolate ourselves, stay at home to watch TV or stay on social media, we are generally happier when we share our time with others.
To share, give, connect equally and healthily with others, it is good to work with humility, humility is a key value for our inner peace, to address personal well-being, the lack of humility of the new generations is surprising and disturbing. This is partly because humility is an underestimated, sleepy, degraded and valued value in a competitive society.
What our society and the men who manipulate it moved by totally opposite values are not aware that humility makes us great, humility allows us to control excessive behaviors, leaving a space for the virtues of others to manifest thee and be appreciated. it’s the best vaccine to keep them from sitting above someone.
The proud, narcissistic, boastful and wise by nature, who believe themselves great because they interpret their way of life as valid, can attain material power, but their masks will prevent them from continuing to grow. recognize that our limits are not filled with material goods.
“The important thing for us to stay happy and healthy throughout our lives is the quality of our relationships. -Robert Waldinger-