Maybe its because I think that we all have something to contribute. But really, Karl Marx and Frederich Engels, who penned the Communist Manifesto, cannot be seen as intellectual giants or two that had the power to change the favour and fortune of millions. They certainly were applied. All great people throughout history seem to be applied in their efforts. Look at musicians who are uncompromising and work towards their craft, or aerospace engineers, who work tirelessly to create new technology to take us further. Or those trying to cure AIDS, or cancer.... Or that great athlete who devotes his/her time to being the best they can be. Are these people better than all the rest? Certainly not, they are simply applied.
And application comes with discipline. and discipline, well, that doesn't come easy. That's why it is discipline.
I often feel that there is within myself, and within people that I observe, the ability to be great, not for fortune or fame, and not for some vain conceit, but for the betterment of society and humanity in general. Whether they end up being a positive influence is another issue. We are all conditioned by our biases and beliefs, which is why Hitler thought he was doing something for the benefit of the world.
But you see my point: It is in the application that we find within and without ourselves that ability to affect our surroundings. This is what makes us human, what makes us adaptable, and, sadly, what many of us lack the courage to confront. Our application, our discipline.
Well said.
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