Great achievement is usually born of great sacrifice, and is never the result of selfishness. – Napoleon Hill

I really had to think about this quote today – which is why this blog post is so late.  I don’t really think that I’ve achieved anything great.  So if I follow that thought process, that must mean I’m not willing to sacrifice, and I am selfish.  That saddened me, because I don’t like thinking that I’m a selfish person.  Then, I did some more thinking, and I realized that I was equating great achievement with money and fame.  I’m a teacher, I’m NEVER going to make oodles of money, and while I may be a bit selfish (especially when it comes to chocolate), I am not super selfish, and to some extent, I’ve made sacrifices.  Then I really started thinking about achievement – and what that means.  That’s when it dawned on me, as a teacher, and a parent, I’ve achieved some really amazing things.  I am influencing the next generation, and they are capable of accomplishing great things.  I’ve influenced musicians, and actors, scientists, business people and educators.  I may not have achieved “greatness,” but the life of someone I touched most certainly will, and that is pretty cool.