the shadow of greatness

Sorry for the lack of pictures in my last few posts. I haven't been able to get them to upload but I will make up for it here. I arrived in Rome where I have been busy. The very first trip I made was to Vatican city where I toured the art galleries, the square, St. Peter's Basillica (including the Pieta) and of course, the Sistine Chapel. Like all famous places, there is a bit of the surreal when you enter. I have seen Michaelangelo's famous ceiling paintings and sculptures in books, I have read about the magnificence of his work. But there is something about actually being in the space that cannot be replicated, no matter how many pictures one studies or art books one reads.

I am going to keep my post short today. I reflected on so many things yesterday and I am finding it difficult to wrap words around my thoughts. I guess what I would like to share is how much I have reflected on greatness. I think if I am honest with myself, I want to help create something truly great. In the shadow of amazing art, enormous structures, beautiful architecture, and the truly great people of history - I cannot help to consider my own contribution to the world. Have you ever thought about greatness? There are surely times when my desire to be or do something great comes from an unchecked pride, a sort of arrogance and conceit. At other times, I think the desire to be great mirrors the hope that we will be remembered for something.

I suspose in my own humble way, I consider The Gathering part of my contribution. All of us who are a part of it have created something new and offered it to our city. It is something significant. But I think there is more left for me to do, more for us to do.

After looking at the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, I cannot help but wonder what my contribution is going to be. Michaelangelo had a blank ceiling, paint, a work ethic that was unparalleled, and a lot of talent and vision - the result was a contribution worth remembering. What is my blank canvas, what is my medium, what is my vision and what are my gifts? These are questions I have been thinking about. They are questions I think we all should think about.

p.s. thanks to everyone who has posted. It has meant a lot to me to hear from you, but more so to hear your thoughts.