At the end of a week of homegoings and life-celebration services, I’m sitting here reflecting on many things, with one thought in particular that I want to share. It’s the notion of wanting to be better.
I want to be better.
I’m asking myself about what I can do to make America even better.
What can I do to encourage more unity and less division?
What can I do to better understand perspectives that are different from mine?
What opportunities do I have to show grace to my fellow human beings so that they can be better?
How can I show love to people who are as flawed as I am and need forgiveness vs. making judgments so that we all can be better?
What am I pursuing right now that is bigger than me and not about me? This is something that I often mention in commencement addresses. “Take up a cause that is bigger than you and not about you!”
What’s the next cause that will enable me to be better and do better?
I don’t necessarily need to live better, as I’m beyond blessed. I probably can stand to eat better by resuming my post-cancer diet. I don’t really need to work harder, as I leave it all on the court every day. I certainly can stand to benefit from praying harder, as I’m not leaving it all on the altar each night. I don’t need to focus on giving better financially, as that has long been a priority and I’m reaping the blessings daily of being a cheerful giver, but I do need to get better at giving more of my time to those in need.
So, today, I’ve decided that I’m going to do better and be better. Although I’ve identified a few areas on which to focus, I can’t quite put my finger on exactly what this means. I just know that after what I witnessed this week I want to be a better American. I’m reenergized about my mission to leave places better off than when I found them. Thus, I will be better in how I impact others and how I contribute to society.
Somehow, I am going to figure out a way to give back to my country in unimaginable ways. I hope you will join me in finding:
I want to be a:
Now, many of you will say I don’t need to get better at some of these things. Thank you. I love you. However, I’m not going to let your flattering comments stop me from starting my journey to be better. I’m going to use you as part of my support system. We will get better, do better, and be better together.
We live in America. We hang out daily in the best nation on the planet. As a kid, I used to dream of making BIG contributions to my country. I saw the caskets of some amazing people this week who did just that. I’m proud to be an American, and I’ll be even prouder to be a better American.
Do you want to be better? In what ways? Let’s start this journey together!