Be a Good One

Pablo Picasso, the great Spanish painter and sculptor, once said this about his
ability: 'My mother said to me, if you become a soldier, you'll be a general; if
you become a monk, you'll end up as Pope. Instead, I became a painter and
wound up as Picasso.' No lack of confidence here!

But he would have agreed with Abraham Lincoln. 'Whatever you are,' said
Lincoln, 'be a good one.' He demonstrated the wisdom of that advice with his
own life. And in this present age, which often seems to be contented with
mediocrity, his words summon a yearning for improvement and growth.

I think it helps to remember that excellence is not a place at which we arrive
so much as a way of traveling. To do and be our best is a habit among those
who hear and understand Lincoln's admonition.

Viennese-born composer Frederick Loewe, whom we remember from his musical
scores that include - My Fair Lady, Gigi and Camelot, was not always famous.
He studied piano with the great masters of Europe and achieved huge success
as a musician and composer in his early years. But when he immigrated to the
United States, he failed as a piano virtuoso. For a while he tried other types of
work including prospecting for gold and boxing. But he never gave up his dream
and continued to play piano and write music.

During those lean years, he could not always afford to make payments on his
piano. One day, bent over the keyboard, he heard nothing but the music that he
played with such rare inspiration. When he finished and looked up, he was
startled to find that he had an audience - three moving men who were seated on
the floor.

They said nothing and made no movement toward the piano. Instead, they dug
into their pockets, pooled together enough money for the payment, placed it on
the piano and walked out, empty handed. Moved by the beauty of his music,
these men recognized excellence and responded to it.

Whatever you are, be a good one. If what you do is worth doing, if you
believe that who you are is of value, then you can't afford to be content
with mediocrity. When you choose the path of excellence through this life,
you will bring to it your best and receive the best it can offer in return. And
you will know what it is to be satisfied.

Author - Steve Goodier