Walking in the footsteps of a giant.

Usually this means that you are figuratively following the spiritual path of a great person that came before. For example, we walk in the footsteps of a giant when as a young person we work underneath a master, or take a job once held by some larger than life, almost mythical person.

Well, I had the opportunity this last week to literally, not figuratively, walk in the footsteps of a giant. Just after I got off the metro transit train on my way to work, I realized that Dr. Ben Carson had just gotten off ahead of me. We had both taken the 6:31 to Johns Hopkins that morning. As we walked to our respective sections of the hospital, as I followed him into work, I was literally walking in the footsteps of a giant.

As you know, this last week the national and world news is focused upon the financial crisis that we are facing. The stories that are coming out are truly startling: a CEO just ran his company bankrupt, yet received $25 Million USD retirement parachute. Another politician gets on TV and congratulates herself and her political party friends about the wonderful job they have done passing a $700 Billion USD bailout package. Instead of an apology for the mess they have collectively wreaked upon America, they openly congratulate themselves on their plan to spend $700 Billion of our money. The outrageous stories go on and on.

Yet this same week, I got off the metro with a truly great person. An incredible pediatric neurosurgeon with a personal style and approach to life so radically different than all of those politicians and all of those CEO’s. Truly in his prime, Dr. Carson is a person that has inspired millions to learn, to think, and to become the best person they can be.

We got off the metro together. Just before 7am. Going to work.

Walking in the footsteps of a giant is always inspiring, and when following Ben Carson, a profound reminder that the truly great are truly humble.