Why Goodness Matters More Than Greatness

This morning, I found myself in a rare and quiet moment—just me, some coffee, and the early light filtering through the kitchen window. As the world outside slowly came to life, a question stirred deep in my soul.

Am I living for a bigger story? Or has the rat race sucked me in—subtly, quietly—stealing my focus, numbing my spirit, dragging me off-mission?

I don’t ask this lightly, and I don’t ask it just for myself.

Are you living for a bigger story?

The Legacy of Greatness

Do you and I share anything in common with the great people that came before us? I’m thinking of William Wallace, The Founding Fathers, Fredrick Douglass, Winston Churchill, Martin Luther, Anne Frank, and others.

Here’s my hunch, I don’t think the great heroes of the past—those men and women who stood against tyrants, who laid down their lives for their families, their faith, and their countries—were after greatness.

I think there were after day-to-day goodness.

They were:

• Good moms and dads
• Business owners and fair employers
• Charitable neighbors
• Faithful churchgoers

They were ordinary people who didn’t live for themselves and who found extraordinary courage in the midst of danger and tyranny. They possessed the character that would support great acts of courage, but they weren’t out to build a monument to their greatness.

They didn’t chase fame. They weren’t looking to trend. They chased goodness—and greatness followed when it was required.

Goodness > Greatness

It’s countercultural to say it—but I believe this with all my heart—that good men are far better than great ones, and chasing goodness is far better than chasing the vanity of greatness. Because heaven isn't impressed by followers, fame, or fancy achievements.

What matters in the eyes of eternity is humility, selflessness, character, and sacrificial love. Good men are far better than the great ones.

Being “good” may sound boring in a world addicted to instant gratification, but here’s the truth:

• Goodness makes communities thrive.
• Goodness builds strong homes.
• Goodness equips us for greatness, should a day ever demand it.

Preparing for the Call

I’m so proud of our society. I’m surrounded—you’re surrounded—by men and women struggling toward goodness and preparing for greatness, should we ever be called to it. We’re training, we’re preparing, we’re holding the line.

I’m not great. Not even close. But I’m trying to be good, and I consider it a privilege to be counted among you. We’re getting better together. Not because we crave applause, but because we want to be ready to defend what we love.

So, if the day comes when the world needs greatness, we’ll be there because it will be our pursuit of goodness that makes it possible for us to respond with the integrity required. You and I are caught up in a bigger story, and it’s not about us. Don’t live for yourself, live for others.

A Poem for the Warrior Poet

Since we are the Warrior Poet Society, I’ve written a poem. This one came to me during that morning reflection.

It is fool’s gold to live for self.

It is a rotting grave reaching—

Locked in a house with mirrors for walls.

We cannot see a burning sun risen.

We cannot hear the great story whispers.

Don’t live for yourself. Don’t let life become a house of mirrors, where all you see is your own reflection. Lift your eyes. Tune your ears. There’s a great story being told, and you’ve got a part to play.

Live On Purpose

Live on purpose. Be a better version of yourself today than you were yesterday. Because you are caught up in something bigger than you—bigger than me. And that’s a beautiful, dangerous, noble thing.

Remember, Train hard. Train smart. And struggle for goodness.