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What does “greater than” ( > ) define within me? More importantly, “Who am I now?” “Who will I become?” Maybe, becoming greater than I know has nothing to do with what I have. Five-time Super Bowl Quarterback Tom Brady asked, “What are you willing to do and what are you willing to give up to be your best?”
One of my favorite movies of 2017 was Writer and Director Greta Gerwig’s “Lady Bird”. In “Lady Bird” Saoirse Ronan’s Christine aka “Lady Bird” discusses her college application essay with Sister Sarah, played by Lois Smith. Sister Sarah recognizes Lady Bird’s love for hometown Sacramento in her essay. Lady Bird says, “Sure, I guess I pay attention.” Sister Sarah says, “Don’t you think that they are the same thing? Love and attention?” Pretty much. Love is being present, paying attention.
Love sources from getting other people, who they are for us. Werner Erhard said that being gotten is what we long for most as human beings. We get others by paying attention; by being present with them.
In the Facebook Watch series “Tom vs. Time” Tom Brady continues his journey of becoming greater than even he knows himself to be. At 41 years-old, Tom transforms his physical, mental, and spiritual game. Tom masters paying attention; he masters being present.
The greater than journey isn’t about figuring out ‘what greater might be’. I believe becoming greater than I know myself to be is about what I’m willing to give up. For one thing: I give up being right about other people and particularly being right about me. Let go. Sensei always reminded, “Have no pre-conceived notions.” Giving up being right is my on-going lesson in humility and grace.
I give up that “I suck.” I give up: “I’m not good enough.” I give up rigorously gathering evidence supporting that “I really do suck.” I recognize those constant voices in my mind. Instead of listening to them as the truth, I listen to those who listen to me as greater than like John, Sensei, Mom, and Cheryl. Cheryl might even say, “Be kinder to Jon, too.” She said, “Kindness begets kindness.” Amen. Amen.
Aikido Sensei is my greatest joy. It’s my authentic self-expression. Sensei give me life and purpose. I listen and see others as greater than they know themselves to be. I get to create the greater than that students don’t see or listen for themselves.
Thankfully, it’s not at all about me. The greater possibility within others arises as others discover their greater than within for themselves. I’m privileged to be a guide in that discovery. Students arise as the greater than version of themselves. That’s my distinct reward.
Over the years I’ve had the honor in teaching and in training those who have become greater, greater than me. That’s the Sensei’s purpose. That’s what I live for. That’s the gift unto itself. Because it was really never all about me. It was always about them.
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Photo credit: Pixabay