I have never met a person who didn’t want to be good, even great. No one strives to be mediocre. We all have within us the desire to be something special, dare I say, even – great. Something in our human hearts want to be described as “great” in some way. Great at a sport, a musical instrument, our ability to teach and speak, as a parent, a friend or whatever else we might choose to pursue.

To be great is at times an overwhelming goal. A goal that feels out of our reach before we even get started. But what if the answer to true greatness was within our abilities? What if getting started on the road to greatness wasn’t as impossible as it might first appear? What would each of us be willing to do to achieve greatness?

James E. Faust, a religious leader, said, “A grateful heart is a beginning of greatness. It is an expression of humility. It is a foundation for the development of such virtues as prayer, faith, courage, contentment, happiness, love, and well-being.”

My prayer for the new year is to recognize the blessings of God in my life and to be quick to express my thanks for all that I have.