“You are not here merely to make a living. You are here to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, and with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world. You impoverish yourself if you forget this errand.” ~ Woodrow Wilson
I was giving thought yesterday evening to the people who have inspired me most and it occurred to me that the biggest impressions were made by those who challenged me to live more amply, with greater vision and with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. In every case they topped the list not because of something they gave me, but because they enkindled – quietly or by way of direct confrontation – my passion to give more freely of myself.
My hope in this blog (and in my living for that matter) is not to stroke the egos of you, my dear readers and those with whom I am privileged to associate through other venues, but instead to encourage you to see that you can almost always give more fully of yourselves. In many cases what you are capable of giving, right here and now, could quite possibly exceed even your wildest imagination.
I would be content were you to see my life as a constant irritant to the part of you that is willing to settle for mediocrity. In fact, I don’t really feel like I am doing my job if you don’t feel a little bit of pressure every now and again from that which I feel blessed to convey to you through my writing and living.
Those who inspired me most always found a way to convey their love, respect and appreciation for me while turning up the heat, directly or indirectly, on those parts of me that were in need of renovation or revitalization and it is my greatest hope that I might be able to extend that same influence into the world around me.
Life is too precious to spend wallowing in self-pity, skimming the surface of purpose and meaning in vanity, or railing in accusation against that which you feel has limited you in some way. It may not be comfortable to hear this, but these imbalanced expressions are nothing more than symptoms of the failure to come to terms with the greatness that resides within.
I believe that every single person on earth is endowed with the capacity to break through the glass ceiling of human nature. I believe that each and every person on earth has the opportunity – and in many cases second, third and fourth chances – to rise into a state wherein spirit, soul and body are unified in purpose and in function. I am convinced that most of the limitations that people accept for themselves are naught but paper tigers.
My challenge to you today is to take a stand where you haven’t until now, to declare your integrity in an area where you’ve previously been on the fence, to release your ties to that which chains you to a darker or more glorious past and to let the genuine, victorious, honest, strong and noble you pierce the veil of limitation that you’ve let enshroud your radiant expression for far too long.
Gregory Hake 
I don’t think there has been a day where I have read this blog and not felt the need make progress in some area of my life. I know that I have made many improvements in the way I live and will continue to do so, but the real pressure I feel is to make sure that I am not settling for making small improvements in my life, when what you are really offering is so much more than that. You are offering the chance to fundamentally change the way we live and even think about ourselves and what we can provide, and I will take the opportunity to make those significant changes, as well as the incremental small ones.
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Thanks Gregg for the reminder to focus on what can be done versus what cannot! This simple change of vision and creative living in my own life is the only way to raise the bar. Your vision and your example are appreciated deeply, as well as your humor!
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Why would we not agree with your words. Obviously to maintain mediocrity. One of the ways I see how mediocrity is maintained is by casting judging aspersions upon others. The other night there was a program that talked about President Kennedy and the extra marital affairs he has been said to have. Having watched it I found myself casting aspersions on the former President. Today I have awakened to the need to be alert to not cast aspersions upon President Kennedy and really not anyone. For this is a way mediocrity is maintained as well as enshrouding our radiant expressions. If anything forgiveness can be extended into areas where there has been casting down judgements opening the way for a true perspective to be seen. Today I stand with the integrity of life you are proclaiming. Really how simply and profound your words are. How can we not love them and live by them as we accept the gift of life that we have been most graciously given.
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The constructive pressure you and this blog offer to be great is much appreciated!
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There are so many ways to slide into mediocrity. We can coast, we can bail, we can shut down, we can accept a date with self-pity…the list goes on! Or, we can agree with the voice of all that is noble and creative, not on random occasions but regularly. On this basis, each day presents particular opportunities to go beyond, to pierce the veil of illusion and futility, to let sunlight and fresh air flood each room in our houses and their neighborhoods beyond. Your daily posts provide a fine means to embrace this dynamic process.
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I believe this too:
“I believe that every single person on earth is endowed with the capacity to break through the glass ceiling of human nature. I believe that each and every person on earth has the opportunity – and in many cases second, third and fourth chances – to rise into a state wherein spirit, soul and body are unified in purpose and in function. I am convinced that most of the limitations that people accept for themselves are naught but paper tigers”
Thanks!
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Look out world!
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I know there are things that I wish to change about me. Thanks for your encouragement that I can do it! Your inspirations start my day by nourishing my thoughts. You’ve heard of sugar coated words, well yours are protein!!
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I had a mole poblano the other night at the Mexican restaurant, a sauce made of 20 plus ingredients including spicy chili peppers and chocolate. I’m partial to that mix! Gracias for your regular comments.
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Thank You! You are such an inspiration to all of us who read your wise words. The other day, I found myself in a situation that was unpleasant for me, and I found myself stopping and saying to myself “what would Gregg do”. And I found within the right action, and thinking. You do challenge us to become better beings, but in the most wondeful of ways. We are all so much more than we realize. And the importance of our living and being tremendous, we can not with the limited knowledge that we currently have, fully understand this. You hold forth a light that shows us clearly the correct path, that we can chose to follow or ignore. Words are so easily given, but it is in our living that we see the heart. Thank You.
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My pleasure, Carmen. Helping prime the pump for creative thinking and living is one of my highest privileges and greatest daily responsibilities, but I must admit, seeing others like you go beyond hearing to doing – with a unique creative signature – is one of my greatest joys.
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Well, thank you for that challenge and your blog has not only been an inspiration, but has turned up the heat on many areas in myself that have needed review.
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The whole notion that we can improve ourselves without the help and encouragement of others is bunk. We need one another. We complement one another. No man is complete unto himself. Thanks for your comment, Rebecca.
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