Greatness of Man

The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.

Bob Marley

I can’t think of a tidbit for this happy thought, so I’ll share a personal anecdote about spreading joy. A new neighbor couple in my father’s neighborhood helped me with some tasks with no reason other than “we’re retired and we want to help people.” I’ve been learning to paint watercolor and I painted a little postcard rendition of a rooster sculpture they had in their yard, and mailed it to them. When I next saw them, they thanked me for the kind gift which elevated my spirits and I was able to bring home happy rather than grumpy. This is a lot of words to say that, once the joy is spread, its inertia and sphere of influence can grow with little effort.

About the author

Robert Nesta Marley (6 February 1945 – 11 May 1981) was a Jamaican singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Considered one of the pioneers of reggae, he fused elements of reggae, ska, and rocksteady, and was renowned for his distinctive vocal and songwriting style. Marley increased the visibility of Jamaican music worldwide and became a global figure in popular culture. He became known as a Rastafarian icon, and he infused his music with a sense of spirituality. Marley is also considered a global symbol of Jamaican music, culture and identity and was controversial in his outspoken support for democratic social reforms. Marley also supported the legalisation of cannabis and advocated for pan-Africanism.