Ah, if we could stop at peace and joy, what a wonderful world it would be. Not really; we are made for more. Our moms were right; we possess and must use our unique talent.
For this reason, a fulfilling life requires accomplishment – the ambition to do something meaningful supported by the activity leading to its fruition.
Why Do You Aspire?
Pursuing accomplishment fulfills our purpose and satisfies our innate desire to grow and serve others. It goes beyond the biblically-inspired obligation declared in graduation speeches, “to whom much is given, much will be required.” Inaction coupled with an awareness of unfulfilled potential causes a corrosive malaise.
Accomplishment comes with acing an exam, completing the big project, comforting a friend, or simply playing with your children at the park. Witnessing the effect of our actions compounds our satisfaction.
To What Do You Aspire?
Every endeavor serves a purpose; do not sell yourself short or unduly burden yourself.
You can have a meaningful influence as a teacher in one classroom. Many remember the modest teacher who made a lifelong impact as Sister Jean did by believing in me in the second grade. However, if you can develop a curriculum that benefits the entire school, state, or nation, you should provide it.
At the same time, saving the world is not your responsibility. Of the billions who have inhabited our planet, only one has, and He was half-human. Consider the advice of someone who started small and impacted the world. Mother Theresa said, “Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time and always start with the person nearest you.”
What will You Do to Achieve it?
Whatever you do, do it exceptionally. I did not choose “best” to avoid the peril of perfectionism. You know in your heart when you are making a worthy effort.
Martin Luther King famously said, “If a man is called to be a street sweeper. He should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all hosts of heaven and earth pause to say; ‘Here lives a great sweeper who did his job well.’”
Reverend King’s words literally came to life in Charleston when I interrupted my walk to compliment the sweepers who immaculately maintain the streets. They proved to be as hospitable and as they are diligent by recommending a great place for grits.
How does our effort compare to theirs? Your grandparents probably told you some form of “if it is worth doing, it is worth doing well.” I could write a blog article in a few hours, but investing twice the time yields a better product, and the additional effort evidences respect for the message and its recipients.
What is Our Excuse?
You can rationalize but not justify inaction. For every preemptive explanation (i.e., excuse), you can make a more compelling case to justify action.
Too old? Colonel Sanders started frying chicken at 65. Grandma Moses picked up the paintbrush at 76. There is hope for me; Laura Ingalls Wilder and Frank McCourt published their first books after turning 60.
Under-resourced? Do what you can with what you have. Uncle Dave can no longer accomplish much physically but works magic with his spirit. My friend who brought him to an AA meeting told me Uncle Dave’s presence visibly inspired the attendees. What would be lost if he hid his light under a basket?
Limited by past failure? Recall many of your most treasured victories came after and because of your defeats. Missing the final shot or being passed over for the promotion motivated you and taught a lesson, enabling you to make the shot or secure the coveted promotion the following year.
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When you wholeheartedly invest your talent, the resulting accomplishment fulfills you and enriches others. How can you resist?