Abstract
Embracing greatness, for surgeons as well as for other professionals, brings about a positive state of mind that permits us and others to better appreciate the performance of our working activities and our lives. Celebrating greatness is unique and should not be overlooked at any time in our professional development. The surgeon gains from this attitude of celebrating greatness because he/she applies it to the betterment of both patient care and physician improvement. Surgeons advance their art and techniques by believing in themselves, by better defining their qualities, and, of course, by embracing greatness. Believing in their possibilities of success, promoting their confidence, and celebrating greatness should be important qualities to seek in the life and career of the modern surgical specialist. The surgeon as an individual, as a professional, and as a human being would enormously progress in life and in working endeavors when embracing greatness thoughout personal and professional careers.
Greatness is on the “Way of Being.”
Embracing greatness is everything.
Know your “Way of Being” and
you will know your soul.
There is nothing better than feeling good about yourself. And feeling good does not necessarily come from good health but from a good mind and good emotions, and why not from good attitude? My intention is to demonstrate that we all have a great deal of greatness within ourselves, and we should discover it and embrace it to the betterment of our well-being. How does this apply to surgeons? How can this make us better professionals? Is there any program that can enhance our own abilities by stimulating greatness in us? Let's begin our quest.
WHAT IS THE EMBRACING OF GREATNESS?
Embracing greatness, I believe, is the emotional state that permits us to accept ourselves and others at the highest esteem level possible. Recognition from our peers does not enter into the equation. Embracing greatness is special, unique, and the basis for a better life. I say, then, believe in greatness, believe in yourself, and be ready for a new life. It is not being great that we should necessarily strive for, but having greatness in our souls and in our values. And there is a big difference! For some people, being great is innate, but more frequently greatness is acquired and demonstrated through exemplary deeds. Embracing greatness is the desire or state of mind that recognizes and accepts personal values, as well as those of others, and converts them into a superior sensitivity. In being great, usually you focus on yourself; in embracing greatness, you readily accept not only your own virtues and aptitudes but also those of others who deserve recognition.
HOW TO PRACTICE THE EMBRACING OF GREATNESS
There is no substitute for practicing the embracing of greatness in your life. Yet practically speaking, how do we achieve or maintain an attitude of acceptance and optimism rather than rejection and pessimism? Not an easy task, but certainly a goal to pursue, reach, and maintain.
By now, I think, you have a better view of the essence and value of embracing greatness. In practice, embracing greatness means:
Understanding what embracing greatness is all about.
Believing in the virtues of the state of embracing greatness.
Reaching awareness of its value.
Accepting its presence throughout your life.
Maintaining a positive attitude toward its continuous practice.
A fictional example illustrates how these principles might apply. Since I am a surgeon and have been writing about surgeons, I concentrate here on our profession, even though the principles could apply to any other field of human endeavor. A mature surgeon, trained at Michigan State University, possessed incredible knowledge and experience in all types of inguinal hernia repair. He was about to take a patient with bilateral inguinal hernia he had refused before. The patient had been referred to many outpatient centers, surgeons, and important hospitals, all to no avail, since no consultation had been secured.
The surgeon, knowing the severity of the case, proceeded to accept the suffering patient into his clinic. The challenge: a 50-year-old male patient, morbidly obese at 500 pounds, with severe liver failure and aortic insufficiency. As if that were not enough, the patient had undergone six previous unsuccessful inguinal hernia repairs, four on the left and two on the right. The chances for a curative treatment were unbelievably small under these conditions. The surgeon accepted the challenge, not because he felt he was the greatest surgeon alive, but because he knew he could help this unsatisfied patient. In a way, the caring surgeon embraced greatness in his own manner. That is because the surgical specialist was confident of finding the best treatment for his patient. He reached greatness by effectively evaluating the patient, the disease, and the therapy. The opportunity for being an excellent source of treatment presented to the surgeon and his patient a special condition comparable only to embracing greatness. It is as if someone said, “Be good, believe in yourself and begin to embrace greatness, the greatness you already have in your values and in yourself. Begin helping your patient!”
As much as the concerned surgeon wanted to operate on this patient, at the end of the evaluation, he recommended observation and no surgery at this time. It was evident that the dedicated specialist was seeking the best treatment for this complicated condition. Greatness came, then, in caring for his patient, in offering sound advice, in studying the case as if it were the last he would ever do, in providing knowledge, support, and compassion for his patient. In this respect, greatness is represented at each step we ever take, professionally or personally. One could appropriately agree that “greatness is a state or condition of being above the ordinary” [Citation[1]] and includes “nobleness of character” [Citation[2]].
WHY EMBRACING GREATNESS CAN MAKE US BETTER PROFESSIONALS
To my knowledge, there are no prospective, randomized studies indicating that embracing greatness would make us better professionals or better human beings. Therefore, we should rely on common sense as a way to explain the positive underpinnings of embracing greatness [Citation[3], Citation[4]]. If the principles of embracing greatness are clear, what lasting characteristics of embracing greatness will benefit us all?
I have been pondering some thoughts that perhaps might be useful in conveying why the embracing of greatness is good:
Embrace greatness in your life
Let's recognize it
We barely do it at times!
Let's accept it
It is a routine development
But we do not do it every day!
There is no substitute
For practicing embracing of greatness in your life
You need greatness at all times
And you do not even know it!
Do not be afraid of it!
Embracing greatness should be a way of life
Let's recognize it
We do not do it enough!
Embrace the best of yourself
Celebrate your mind and spirit
Do it every day!
The value of embracing greatness is unique and of enormous proportions. Surgeons who consider embracing greatness, as well as individuals who care about this principle, have an added advantage when accepting greatness in their lives or professional activities. Why? Because embracing greatness is based on understanding human beings, on caring for them with special interest, and on accepting and tolerating others as we do ourselves. Greatness gives us life by providing self-respect and awareness.
Several other thoughts come to mind when attending the principles and values of this unique “way of life.”
Greatness should be a “Way of Life”
We do it all the time!
It is a routine development!
Do it every day!
Greatness is on the “Way of Being”
Embracing greatness is everything
Know your “Way of Being” and
You will know your soul
Greatness is all
You need the embracing of greatness to survive
You do not even know it!
Embrace greatness every day!
IS EMBRACING GREATNESS THE OPPOSITE OF HUMILITY?
I do not believe embracing greatness is the opposite of humility. On the contrary, greatness and humility can be complementary if appropriately utilized. How is that? Well, embracing greatness allows us to recognize our values and the virtues of others, and to fully appreciate our and their commitment to life. This is in tune with humility, since we emphasize the accomplishments of others as much as our own. In the same way, embracing greatness permits us to evaluate, in some form, the best of human conduct. Accepting greatness and humility revitalizes the depth of our human souls, and orients us toward better defining the general perspective of our careers. In sum, embracing greatness first will bring us closer to recognizing humility as an important force behind human behavior and professional attitude.
As mentioned before, it is important to differentiate embracing greatness from accepting yourself as being great. These are two completely different and separate entities. Be aware of remaining humble as you embrace greatness and celebrate the acceptance of such an important behavioral attitude. Consider always the importance of celebrating greatness in your life, in your virtues, and don't be afraid to walk away from ordinary thoughts and actions!
CONCLUSION
The value of celebrating or embracing greatness in our personal or professional lives should be of unique importance since it will give us a positive sense of ourselves not attained before. For a surgeon, embracing greatness brings about a worthwhile and improved state of mind because of the acceptance of essential values and traits not recognized previously. In other words, embracing greatness presents surgeons with opportunities of great significance for helping patients and themselves as well. I will add, celebrate greatness and enjoy your profession more fully! And finally, embrace greatness as you believe in yourself.
REFERENCES
- Covey S R. Everyday Greatness. Thomas Nelson, Nashville, TN 2006
- Compact Oxford English Dictionary, 3rd ed. 2005
- Toledo-Pereyra L H. Integrity. J Invest Surg. 2006; 19: 5–10
- Toledo-Pereyra L H. Respect. J Invest Surg. 2005; 18: 281–284