Friday, January 08, 2010

Humility

the quality or state of being humble; not proud or haughty : not arrogant or assertive


I have been humbled tonight. It is interesting to see when I am feeling good and start to feel a bit of a swagger or arrogance creep up how easily it is to be humbled. I have not qualms with that. It is something that should happen and seems to happen on a very regular basis to me. I can see how I have actively matured though over the last few years. It used to be that I would get down and become very frustrated for extended periods of time when this would happen. It is not an easy thing to be humbled. It tears at ones insides, works on their frustrations and feelings of ineptitude. The difference now is not that it doesn't affect me, it does and it is a horrible feeling, but that I now have the constitution to work hard in order that the next time it happens it will be of a lesser extent. I know that nothing comes easy, but it has become apparent that it is not if the task is easy, but but if one has the dedication to put the work in to finish what has been started.

I will leave you with this. It is something that I have said more than a thousand times but is worth constantly remembering.

EXCELLENCE
For us, Excellence is an aspiration, an attitude, a pursuit, a way of life. Excellence is all of us working together, aspiring to the fullest of our potential, always in pursuit of Higher standards, determined to do everything we do, somehow better than it has ever been done before. Excellence is found in the caring, the trying, and the doing. It's our objective, we seek it with dedication, it is the reputation of this team.


-Fletcher

1 comment:

  1. While I don't totally agree with your exegesis on excellence, I would like to say two things.

    On Arrogance. When we are beginning to become adroit at something it is natural to have pride in our successes. However, is remained unchecked, that pride spiral into unbridled arrogance. This arrogance is not always a bad thing, because, if nothing else, it teaches us to respect ourselves and builds our self confidence. The trick is learning to have that self confidence, while also being receptive to the idea that our skill isn't perfect (it the "there is always someone better" idea). To be totally forthright I am arrogant as hell (and I don't really give a damn who knows it), but the reason I can sleep at night is that I always know that there are people smarter, faster, and better than I am. And that pisses me off because, (in my arrogance) I believe that I can do anything as long as I put the effort in!

    On Humility. On a daily basis I make it a point to humble someone. Occasionally people humble me (more often I do it to myself), and each time it is fuel for my becoming better. Sure it stings, but it is also the portal of discovery.

    Tt

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