Be Something Greater Than Yourself
"You have everything you need to build something far bigger than yourself." - Seth Godin.
Image Source: Brett Jordan (Unsplash)
In 1956, then-Senator John F. Kennedy authored the book Profiles in Courage, for which he received the Pulitzer Prize in 1957 (2000). Kennedy highlighted the works of eight of his contemporaries who occupied the Senate Chamber long before he stepped foot through those hallowed doors. These men rose to a challenge (on specific issues) and stood by their convictions against either the populist views of the country or the wishes of their party line. For several, it cost them another term in Congress or a chance at the Presidency. Ultimately, they maintained a high level of integrity at a sacrifice to their aspirations, something Kennedy termed heroic (2000). Facing adversity, they took the road less traveled and left a lasting legacy for the advancement of the United States.
While not all of us will ever aspire to political office, many, as a course of human design, will face our challenges in life. How we respond to and overcome these bumps in the road can steer us to become something far more significant than ourselves, which, in the end, will benefit humankind for ages to come. Leading from the front (not standing on the sidelines) is one of the best ways to teach others to take the high road. Let's explore examples from everyday life.
Rewind to the year 2015, when 12-year-old Emily Beazley of Chicago lost a four-year battle with the most aggressive form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Instead of curling up in a ball and accepting the fate that life dealt her, this inspirational young girl began to advocate for others who may have had the same illness by asking that fundraising efforts for research into this disease continue long after she was gone. Her story commanded a solid social media presence that brought attention to this terminal illness. Emily's younger sister Olivia donated stem cells to save her older sister's life. For their efforts, both girls received the title of honorary police officer by the Chicago Police Department.
Image Source: Cristi Ursea (Unsplash)
The story of Danielle Green is yet another example of committing to something greater than yourself. During the 2015 ESPYS, she received the Pat Tillman Award for Service. Her story demonstrates how one could rise above circumstances to benefit the greater good. You can find her inspirational story in the video after this post.
Think of a time when you stood by a friend, family member, or work colleague when they were in dire straits due to circumstance, only to be ridiculed by others in your circle who had turned their backs on this same individual. Even though it cut against the grain of the majority view, the lasting friendship that you maintained and strengthened more than likely outweighed the others that fell by the wayside. It is a great reward (example of courage) in and of itself.
In the foreword to the 1964 memorial edition of Profiles in Courage, Robert F. Kennedy left us with some sage advice that still rings true to this day when he said: "This book is not just the stories of the past, but a book of hope and confidence for the future. What happens to the country, to the world, depends on what we do with what others have left us." The next time you face adversity, what will you do: take the high road or remain idly on the sidelines, subservient to the majority view? At the end of the day, how do you want to be remembered? Until next time -
Namaste,
Tim
Reference
Kennedy, J.F. (2000). Profiles in Courage (Perennial Classics ed.). New York: Harper Perennial.
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