On the cusp of greatness. . . .?

As your other answerer's have pointed out, it usually pes and the reason is that when we give up that anticipation the coming awakening never happens. When it doesn't come as we imagine we give up and accept a life of quiet desperation as Thoreau pointed out. Keep that urance alive and you will discover that one day the mind and heart will burst open and great insight and understanding will come. I waited for more than thirty years before it came to me. There is no way to know when it may come. To be ready is to keep alive the patient anticipation. Giving up puts it out of reach forever and most lives never taste that awakening.