ENCOURAGEMENT

Any culture that glorifies mediocrity and consistently denigrates performance will produce much more of the former and a lack of the latter. One of the ways we can change this is by encouraging excellence in all that we do and say. When you see someone going beyond their responsibilities to get the job done tell them that you noticed and appreciate their hard work. George Roche said:

“Why do we honor none like them (heroes) today? Surely this is a clear sign of our own faltering convictions and failing courage. Our debt to heroes is no metaphor, but the substance of a free society. It is our duty to one another and to moral law, a duty exemplified at its highest by the hero’s own selflessness. We have not kept our end of the bargain. The very words we need to think about heroes – valor, magnanimity, fortitude, gallantry – rust from disuse.”

Let us begin today by recognizing our heroes who by their example point to the better life that is possible through discipline and thought, character and action. Call up the heroes in your life who have inspired you to do more than you thought possible and thank them. I know in my own life how much my heroes have meant to me and anytime I see them I make sure I communicate my love and respect. There is nothing that feels better to a man or woman living a heroic life than to know that their life and example is having an impact.