Born for Greater Things

Recently I was asked by a young leader how she should go about cultivating self-belief.

“Ad majora natus”, I replied. “Born for greater things.”

This is what a young Aloysius (Luigi) Gonzaga reportedly said to his father in 1585 when, as heir apparent, his father offered him a life of comfort and luxury. He chose instead a life of service to the sick. And today, we have churches and schools named after him.

Born for greater things. This is the mustard seed from which all self-belief must spring.

It is at first nothing more than an article of faith – an intimation, that you must nurture within yourself, that you were born to do something special – to give to the world something only you can give.

True, a seed on its own is not much good. No seed can flourish without soil and rain and sun.

The soil of self-belief is self-discipline; the rain is self-forgiveness; its sun is the affirmation and guidance of a mentor.

Still, no tree can grow without a seed.

You are born for greater things. The world would be an infinitely better place if we all believed this about ourselves.

Begin with that. Plant that seed. Believe.