A Quote to Live By

Nathaniel Trying Out Some Big Boots.

Hugh O'Brian was an actor in the 50's and 60's who starred in several movies and TV shows. I got a little curious about him because I had just watched the 60's version of Agatha Christie's Ten Little Indians.

In 1958, Mr. O'Brian started a foundation for youth called the HOBY Foundation. Here is an excerpt of a speech that he gave to his foundation:

"FREEDOM TO CHOOSE:"

I do NOT Believe we are all born equal. Created equal in the eyes of God, yes, but physical and emotional differences, parental guidelines, varied environments, being in the right place at the right time, all play a role in enhancing or limiting an individual's development. But I DO believe that every man and woman if given the opportunity and encouragement to recognize their potential, regardless of background has the freedom to choose in our world. Will an individual be a taker or a giver in life? Will that person be satisfied merely to exist or seek a meaningful purpose? Will he or she dare to dream the impossible dream?"

......"I believe every person is created as a steward of his or her own destiny with great power for a specific purpose, to share with others, through service, a reverence for life in a spirit of love."

Mr. O'Brian's words inspired me today. I just want to share some thoughts of my own in conjunction with his speech.

FIRST AND FOREMOST:

We need to recognize what equality really means. It doesn't include a selective picking and choosing of who is worthy of being elevated up simply because of political correctness. We can't make everything fair to everyone all of the time. But we can respect our individual right to take advantage of all the opportunities that this country has to offer all of us.

NOT EVERYONE IS A WINNER:

As someone who grew up in a very competitive environment, I know that you can try your very best and still come in last. I think that I have gotten more "Honorable Mentions" in Track, 4H or other pursuits in my life.

COMING IN LAST DOES NOT MAKE YOU A "LOSER":

In High School; I literally ran every race in Track that they offered girls in the early 70's. From the 50-Yard Dash to the Mile, I tried to find my niche in Track. Sadly, I never did, but I never quit.

STOPPING TO PICK-UP THOSE WHO HAVE FALLEN:

In the Spirit of Good Sportsmanship, there are times in a race that you are so close to winning, but the person ahead of you has fallen and cannot get up finish. Of course, you can sprint to the finish line and no one will fault you for it. But the 2nd choice is to pick up your fallen competitor and finish the race together.

That might seem a little saccharine to some. A race is a race after all. But would you feel as though you really won if the person just ahead of you suffered an injury? I don't know, I was always dead last in everything. I do know that I would have not had anything to lose if I did stop and help someone over the finish line.

CHOOSE BETWEEN 15 MINUTES OF FAME OR A LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD:

I personally hope that people will say good things about my me when I am gone. I don't want to be on the news or bungee jump on my 80th birthday; I just want to make a difference in someone's life.

As a late-bloomer, finding out that I was worthy of love, respect and appreciation was a precious gift. Our choices in life are always clear-cut if you believe in two things:

Loving our neighbor as we love ourselves and Worshiping God with all of our Might, Mind and Strength.

Simple words that are not always easy to live by.