When was the last time you gave to charity or spent time doing something good for someone you didn’t even know?
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things.”
Philippians 4:8
Chores, tasks or errands are all part of our daily lives. What makes these duties stand out is the measure of excellence and dedication applied to each one of them.
Excellence is an act of quality, doing what is admirable, respectable, commendable and extraordinary.
Excellence does not start with love, but starts with moral excellence shown in acts of dedication, decency, honesty, goodness, kindness, perseverance, godliness, justice and commitment. Its quality is obtained through the little gestures we show in our everyday life. Whenever we smile at a stranger, listen to a friend in need of comfort or just babysit for a married couple, we show this spirit of excellence.
“This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and pro? table for everyone.” Titus 3:8
Efforts that help humanity have distinction and should be undertaken with thorough excellence.
Our society is enduring moral chaos not because we lack love, but simply because we lack moral excellence. The acts that lead to an excellent spirit are the foundation of our behaviour. When excellence is a way of life we pro? t ourselves and also those around us, people we know and those we meet for the ? rst time on the street, in the office or on our way home.
Rising above the rest, doing a little extra, pursuing kindness, even to a stranger. Excellence in spirit and excellence of mind go hand in hand.
In this campaign of a spirit of excellence, you are going to take an hour of your time to show an act of kindness. Remember to present excellence in what you do.
There are many ways for an individual to show an excellent spirit in his or her daily life. Here are a few suggestions:
Stop Negative Comments: Stand up for a woman who is the target of a sexist remark. Teach your children the value of using kind and gentle language. Thank a friend or colleague who stood up for someone who was the target of a derogatory comment. Send an e-mail of appreciation to someone in the media who has challenged sexist remarks. Support your local schools in developing policies that prevent sexist language in the classroom. Organise a group at your college or university. Help to educate a friend about how negative comments diminish all of us.
Start with the Ones Closest: Do something kind for those closest to you. Give your housemate a hug in the morning, for no reason. Help your mother, brother, father, or sister with something that they would not expect you to do. Leave a flower in your brother or sister’s room. Spend some time with your grandparents. Make breakfast for your partner. Call your parents just to say ‘Hello’.
Honour Your Heroes: Honour your heroes with kindness. Dedicate a small act of kindness to your hero by writing them a letter about your experience. Find your favourite elementary school teacher and send him/ her some ‘thank-you’ flowers anonymously. Get a ‘just because’ gift for your dad even when it isn’t Father’s Day. Tell the story of your hero to a young child. At your next family gathering, have everyone share each other’s heroes. In honour of your pet, volunteer at a local animal shelter.
www.helpothers.org