The Basics of Excellence

The basics of excellence grow from the talents and weaknesses each of us is born with, and how very different they can be from one person to another.  This blog is a wonderful example of this.  I have a mind that can delve deep into questions that most people can't but because I delve so deep I can get lost in the 'unreal.'  My oldest daughter is someone who keeps herself well  grounded.  She set this blog up for me as a Christmas present.  The results of my delving and her focus can now be read by you.

As is usually best, let's start at the beginning.  We humans exist on four levels: Soul, Heart, Mind, and Body.  We are healthiest when each is in balance.  When we are tapping into each as a source of energy on an equal footing.  Kind of like aligning your dilithium crystals.  But each of us relies on some of these levels more than others.  We've all probably known a great athlete who wouldn't stop until he won but was near the bottom of the class academically.  The friend who was Mr. Popularity but never seemed to compete anything he started .  The bookaholic who was shy and awkward in social settings.  But let's put these three together.    Their coalescing of skills would make a very dynamic team that could create so much more than the three acting on their own.  That is provided their association included the five traits of a Community of Excellence: Security, Courage, Justice, Tolerance, and Celebration.

I give these traits very specific definitions in this context.

1. Security - is the shared belief that all are in this together.

2. Courage - is the commitment to do the right thing for ourselves and the others.  We must have the courage to see our own strengths and weaknesses.  The courage to offer them freely. The courage to act.

3. Justice - striving for what each of us has earned.  Not a penny less.  And what's more important, not a penny more.

4. Tolerance - allowing each of us to offer their contribution on their own terms and at their own speed.

5. Celebration - the occasions where we declare our kinship.  Where we laud triumphs, console shortfalls, and welcome new community mates.

With these elements our three examples of "incomplete" humans can now share their talents and  rely on each other to engage in efforts that will lead to successes on both the individuals' and community's level.  

A community of excellence.