“The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor.”
–Vince Lombardi
Our purpose in life is not personal success, so to speak. Rather, it is to have an impact on the success of others. It is to be other-centered and to be (extra)ordinary. I spell the later as I do to emphasis what Coach Lombardi expresses in the above quote—to remind myself, first and foremost, the quality of one’s life is a reflection of the commitment to being excellent in the chosen field. “Excellence” is not necessarily the best. Excellence is being one’s personal best. Moreover, it is being excellent for others.
I was discussing greatness with my son recently. Naturally, being a native Pittsburgher, I brought up Roberto Clemente. Clemente is, in my mind, the greatest centerfielder to play the game of baseball—not because he was great positionally, though he was. Clemente will always be special in my mind because of how his career ended. He died prematurely in a plane crash, personally delivering aid to the people of Nicaragua following a devastating earthquake in 1972. Many gifted people, who have the resources, give to charity—and often contribute significant amounts of their wealth to help others. This is great, and is needed, but the message I tried to convey to my son and my family as we discussed this at lunch is that It is easy to give when we have much, but the greatest gift we can give humanity is to lay our life on the line helping others. Clemente did more to be remembered than entertain baseball fans. He did more than help people in need. (He did not have to board that plane, but he wanted to make sure that the supplied made to the people who needed them.) He gave his life doing good.
Few of us will live a life like Roberto Clemente’s. We are supposed to, per se. That was his life to be lived. We have our own (extra)ordinary to live every day. It may not be the life we want, but it is the life we are living. Commitment to excellence is a choice—it is a responsibility.
I personally struggle with my commitment to living the “I am third” philosophy (i.e., my God is first, family and friends are second, and I am third). It is not in our human nature to live this way. We are instinctively self-centered—self-preservation is natural. “I am third” requires sacrifice. It sometimes requires doing that which we don’t want to do for the benefit of others. I is living a right and just life.
(Extra)ordinary leaves a lasting impression. It has a rippling effect on the Universe. It is not to be confused with “extraordinary” which is merely greatness. Extraordinary is short-lived success. One is only extraordinary until talent fades or someone more talented comes along to unseat the king-of-the-hill. (Extra)ordinary remains as its impact is carried and magnified in the lives of others.
I grew up wanting to be like Roberto Clemente. I played but a few seasons of little league baseball. I was no Clemente in the outfield or batter’s box. I actually never really liked playing baseball and have no passion for the sport, but I will always remember hearing the news of Clemente’s death on the radio on New Year’s Day, January 1, 1973. I remember how he played the game—and he was amazing to watch—be I was shaped by how he died.
I am no Roberto Clemente. I am not (extra)ordinary at really anything, but it is a goal. It is a reason for being.
Be your best today; be better tomorrow.
Carpe momento!