At this point, it is no big secret.

Even the most devout recluse knows the brakes of the global economy have been slammed and that the world is experiencing a collective recession like nothing ever seen before.

What makes this global dilemma so imposing is the pervasive effect it has had on all of us. No matter who you are — wealthy or poor, student or worker — you have been or know someone who has been substantially impacted by the recent economic occurrences.

We have started to move beyond the shock of this event and now find ourselves attempting to acclimate to this new post-financial-apocalyptic world. For some of us, our lifestyles have changed very little. Others, in contrast, now lead nothing more than shambled remnants of the lives they had just a year ago. But the most distressing aspect for everyone is not knowing when, or even if, things will get better.

The encroachment of this seemingly unscalable obstacle has demoralized the majority of the population.

Without diminishing the severity of our situation, or perhaps exposing the naivety of being a college student who has yet to feel the full weight of “the real world,” I would like to offer this: now is the perfect opportunity for many of us to demonstrate the extent of our personal ambition.

Despite how prohibitive this plight may feel, there are still opportunities out there for those daring enough to seek them. In these times of collective discouragement it is easy to assume the role of a victim, to sit back and settle for a life you did not dream of simply because there are obstacles standing between you and your dreams, or because the fear of failure stops you from even trying.

The path to greatness is not paved with bricks of ease, but rather distinguished as such by the many brick walls that stand in the way.

In his deeply moving speech entitled “The Last Lecture,” the late Randy Pausch, a professor from Carnegie Mellon University diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer shortly before his famous lecture, offered these as some of his final words of wisdom:

“But remember, the brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. Because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough. They’re there to stop the other people.”

These times of trouble have brought all of us our personal brick walls. There is no doubt that the economic hardships we all face will have a drastic effect on our lives. For many, this era will mark a time when childhood dreams of glories had to be let go in the pursuit of mere survival. But for those daring enough to take the risk, to take on intimidating brick walls, now will mark the first step on a hard-fought journey to greatness.

In fact, overcoming adversity to achieve success is the staple American story. Whether it be overcoming polio to become one of the greatest presidents of the age, overcoming a childhood filled with drugs and violence to make Super Bowl history, or even as simple as overcoming personal reservations to finally ask out that girl that you’ve been smitten with since freshman year, these challenges offer us the chance to show the world the best of ourselves.

William Shakespeare once said: “Be not afraid of greatness; some are born great, some achieve greatness, and others have greatness thrust upon them.” Although these challenges have been thrust upon us, I hope that all of us forgo the path of ease and seek out the opportunities hidden among the rubble. I encourage each of you to rise to the current occasion by demonstrating your determination to succeed. Let’s face our fears, take the risks, and dare to be great.

Reach columnist Jeff Dickson at opinion@dailyuw.com.