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I couldn't sleep last night, and for some reason, possibly related to Queen Elizabeth II passing, I was thinking about who could be regarded as the greatest living American. It surprised me that there wasn't an obvious answer or even obvious candidates for me.
I'm not sure exactly what I mean by greatest. I don't mean most famous or most powerful, but probably some element of fame is involved, or we wouldn't all know who they are. There might be a granny in Hoboken who has actually done the most to love and serve and help other people, spread joy throughout her community, encouraged countless people on to grow and become better, and is the best example of a life well-lived, but we won't know who she is.
I was trying to think of what public figure I respect and would want my kids to emulate. That's tough. Among politicians, Jimmy Carter probably comes close. But if he's the greatest living American, it's for what he did after his presidency.
I couldn't think of a nationally-known religious or spiritual leader that I admire, which is sad. Maybe Beth Moore, but I suspect I may know of her more than others because she is local to Houston.
I couldn't think of a national business leader that I admire either. So many of the richest and most powerful ones are awful people--Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, etc. Bill Gates has some qualities that are admirable, but other qualities not so much. The Butt family that runs the Texas HEB grocery chain, which I believe is the nation's largest grocer, is a family that I really admire, both for how they run their business and how they contribute to the community.
Sports and entertainment figures don't really come to mind, either. Perhaps Hank Aaron would have been such an example, but sadly he is no longer with us. No military leader comes to mind.
Authors, poets, artists could be candidates...no one is jumping out to me. Scientists, doctors..?
What says the Pen? Any good candidates?
I'm not sure exactly what I mean by greatest. I don't mean most famous or most powerful, but probably some element of fame is involved, or we wouldn't all know who they are. There might be a granny in Hoboken who has actually done the most to love and serve and help other people, spread joy throughout her community, encouraged countless people on to grow and become better, and is the best example of a life well-lived, but we won't know who she is.
I was trying to think of what public figure I respect and would want my kids to emulate. That's tough. Among politicians, Jimmy Carter probably comes close. But if he's the greatest living American, it's for what he did after his presidency.
I couldn't think of a nationally-known religious or spiritual leader that I admire, which is sad. Maybe Beth Moore, but I suspect I may know of her more than others because she is local to Houston.
I couldn't think of a national business leader that I admire either. So many of the richest and most powerful ones are awful people--Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, etc. Bill Gates has some qualities that are admirable, but other qualities not so much. The Butt family that runs the Texas HEB grocery chain, which I believe is the nation's largest grocer, is a family that I really admire, both for how they run their business and how they contribute to the community.
Sports and entertainment figures don't really come to mind, either. Perhaps Hank Aaron would have been such an example, but sadly he is no longer with us. No military leader comes to mind.
Authors, poets, artists could be candidates...no one is jumping out to me. Scientists, doctors..?
What says the Pen? Any good candidates?
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