Harnoor+B’s+Final+AmEx+2013+Speech

=Title of Speech=

Greatness Personified

=Text of Speech=

What does it mean to be great? It seems like all we see nowadays is people who want to be great, great in every aspect of life, whether its sports, school or life. Every individual in this world gives greatness its own definition. To be great, could mean anything. I could say I’m a great brother, a great son, a great student, etc. Many of you have your own definition. To many of you greatness is ultimately defined as who has the most money, the better car, the nicer house. To me, one does not have to be wealthy; neither has to be a champion, a scholar, whatever the case may be; to be great. In the world that we live in today, their never will be a lack of champions or great achievers. Then what does truly define greatness? What does it mean to be great?

We hear on a daily basis of athletes that break world records. Two years ago, Usain Bolt beat the world record again by .6 seconds for the fastest 100 meter dash, previously held by him himself. Now does holding the world record make him great? As a track athlete? Yes. As an individual? Maybe not. What about gifted musicians like Justin Bieber? Is he great? As a musician? Yes, definitely the man has talent. Is he a great role model? Someone you should live your life according to? Most likely not. The guy has been a terrible role model. Getting caught smoking marijuana, almost kicking a paparazzo’s ass, issues with being able to keep his pants up. Not enough? What about Kim Kardashian? Is she a great role model? (says sarcastically) Yeah… thanks Kim. You taught your young fans how to make a sex tape.

Since humans are constantly being exposed to the term great so often, I understand that it’s completely normal to make comparisons between what we are and what others are. Am I saying that looking up to athletes and/or celebrities is a bad thing? No. It’s a good thing, but living your life according to how an athlete or a celebrity lives their life is not the best idea. I definitely agree that making comparisons between oneself and athletes and/or celebrities could be beneficial and may possibly encourage us to improve our lives, but that doesn’t mean that we should live our lives how other people live their lives. When ideas like these roam in our mind, we commit mistakes, and we dwell on our failures while ignoring the great things that we have accomplished in our lives that may not have been rewarded but still define true greatness. In the America I want to grow up in, I don’t want to see people underestimating there own capabilities, because at the end of the day what really matters is what being great means to you.

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