Dear Marshallans, I recently read a quote by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: “If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry.” The measure of our success therefore should not be defined to our particular career or what we earn but on our character and what we give.
I am motivated to write on this theme to encourage marshallans to avoid mediocrity and the lack of persistence in various fields of endeavours. Whatever our role, our position, our organization, or our lot in life, we should strive for the best. The desire to pursue perfection and excellence is a heavenly quality. When our Heavenly Father created the universehe realized that all that he had brought into existence was perfect. Moreover He always gave us His very best, His son, Jesus Christ to die for our sins. Excellence does not mean being the best but being your best, understanding that variation makes all the difference in the world. Excellence is being better than you were yesterday. Excellence means matching your practice with your potential.
My brothers and sisters as we pursue excellence in our various fields of endeavors, let us be mindful that, effective leaders accomplish seemingly impossible tasks because they never give up. They never buckle under. Despite mounting criticism, intense opposition, and overwhelming obstacles, they persevere with determined resolve. They refuse to throw in the towel.
Often, the easiest thing would be to quit. Just give up, give up to the opposition, give in to the words of the critics and forget about one’s dream and return to the comfort and convenience of mediocrity. When you are tempted to quit, resist. Press on in the face of the temptation to quit and until the war is over, we must fight to the end.
Finally as we pursue excellence as Marshallans, I urge you to pay attention and ALWAYS express what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely and admirable. It is not a superficial luxury but an urgent necessity. It is being a light in the darkness.
Fraternally yours,
Sir Kt. Derx Baffour
(Supreme Knight)