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"No one ever attains very eminent success by simply doing what is required of him; it is the amount and excellence of what is over and above the required that determines the greatness of ultimate distinction" (Charles Kendall Adams).
WE SHOW GRATITUDE FOR THE GIFT OF LIFE WHEN WE STRIVE FOR THE HIGHEST AND BEST WITHIN OURSELVES. Against the powerful pull of mediocrity, we must exert our best effort. “Good enough” is not good enough. When we give ourselves to those around us, we must give, by God’s grace, nothing less than our personal best.
The concept of “excelling” is a noble one. It’s unfortunate that we think of it so often in competitive terms, as if the thing we must surpass is someone else’s performance. In the highest sense, excellence isn’t measured by comparisons to others but by adherence to objective standards that are higher than any of us. Just as there is such a thing as beauty, there is such a thing as excellence, and when we make it one of our values, we help ourselves greatly.
Even when we consider excellence in comparative terms, we should compare ourselves to our own track record, not to that of some other person. What matters most is not how many of our peers we outperform, but how often we excel what we have previously done. The best lives are lived by those who are always looking to upgrade their personal character, not for competitive advantage but for the inherent value of greater excellence.
Since life is a growth process, we should see the pursuit of excellence as a continuous effort -- a work that keeps going throughout our lives, even in old age. There will be days when our efforts are disappointing, perhaps grievously (or even tragically) so. But those who truly wish to excel will not be defeated by disappointments along the way. As long as life lasts, there is some part of our story that remains to be written, and we should firmly decide to make the next chapter the best part we’ve written so far.
A commitment to excellence is possible for everyone, no matter how insignificant we may sometimes feel. Pursuit of the best is not just for the high and mighty; it is for every living soul. Indeed, we are never more noble than when we give our best effort to the simple duties that are the stuff of ordinary life.
"Great works do not always lie in our way, but every moment we may do little ones excellently, that is, with great love" (Francis de Sales).
Gary Henry - WordPoints.com + AreYouaChristian.com
Inward Ascent
Excellence dwells not in the tasks required,
nor in the narrow bounds of duty’s claim,
but in the soul’s ascent beyond the mark,
where spirit, touched by grace, outstrips the flesh
and wills a nobler measure of itself.
For man was shaped to rise, not to remain;
to press against the weight of sloth and ease,
and wrest from life a stature more refined.
Not ours the petty strife of rival hearts,
nor envy’s gaze upon another’s crown;
the truer field is inward, where we strive
against the lesser selves we were before.
A higher law, unwritten yet divine,
summons the mind to beauty’s ancient throne,
and bids us fashion deeds that bear its light.
Though oft we stumble on the world’s rough ways,
and grief may cast its shadow on our path,
still life, long-suffering, grants another page
on which to script a worthier design.
Thus greatness hides in lowly, common hours —
the sweeping of a floor, the tending hand,
the quiet word that steadies failing hearts.
In such small acts, performed with fullest love,
the mortal frame grows radiant with its charge,
and man, though dust, reflects a brighter fire.
Key Takeaways
1. Excellence as Gratitude. By striving for the highest and best within ourselves, we show gratitude for the gift of life. This idea challenges us to reject mediocrity and embrace a mindset of continuous improvement.
2. Internal Benchmarks. The essay emphasizes self-comparison rather than competition with others. Progress is most meaningful when measured against our own past efforts and achievements.
3. Lifelong Commitment. Pursuing excellence is a journey that spans a lifetime. Despite setbacks or disappointments, the essay encourages resilience and a forward-looking attitude.
4. Excellence in the Ordinary. Excellence is accessible to all, not just those undertaking grand endeavors. It can be realized in everyday actions performed with care and love.
