Define Excellence

I am a firm advocate for seeking to set high goals and striving for excellence. I watch in great awe and appreciation those who have natural talent but also work hard to be the best at what they do.

For me DEI stands for Discipline Endurance Inspiration

But sometimes there is a bit of leeway in the definition of excellent. If I am never going to be seen as ‘excellent’ does that mean I should do nothing? Should I not try? [Meema Rule #8 - Whatever Works]

When you choose to be (or perhaps just are) a ‘do it anyway’ kind of person you might have to set aside any expectations for credentials, titles, categories, awards, recognition or being understood or accepted. You will likely never be an ‘influencer’ and quite often you will feel invisible. Which can be a blessing in disguise though. Imagine all the things we can do for God while under the radar, and thus unchallenged.

Of course, we have to stay at the ready to receive the prompts to do, I call it listening to the still small voice. It is easier to hear when you aren’t constrained by the noise and pressure of worldly expectations.

Interesting though, this do-it-anyway attitude has taken me places I never imagined I would have ever gone - unrestrained by the tidy outlines of how things are deemed to be correctly done, by the book, that which is defined by current established consensus.

Classic example: In my homemaking years, deep in the task of decorating our lake house, I had a spot that was just right for a grandfather clock but I could visualize a lake life folk art style - which, of course, did not exist - so I made it myself. It’s one of a kind, has zero value other than it has worked perfectly in four houses over the last twenty eight years.

Regardless my shortcomings I have managed to pull off some interesting things in my time, excellence notwithstanding. In the process I have hacked out my own path and found joy in the doing, even as I watch as others struggle to find a label to put on what I have done. Sorry. Not sorry. [Cue crickets].

But there is a greater lesson here to share when you dive into doing things not with fame or fortune in mind which seems to be the most common goal du jour. I did things anyway. Just for the challenge and, more often than not, as one-of-a-kind solutions to personal momentary problems. I used to refer to this as ‘making do’.

But here’s the kicker - it is this independent mindset that has allowed me to be a free agent, unencumbered by the opinions of others and therefore, by default, an open vessel dependent on God to inspire solutions that the world cannot see. I can attest to Divine Intervention in many a project I have dived into recklessly.

Historically speaking, those who dared to try and do regardless others’ understanding - did it anyway. And sometimes those crazy ideas launched excellence that took time to be categorized and accepted.

Only someone with the do-it-anyway attitude/mindset will likely understand so I can’t recommend this as a chosen lifestyle unless you are willing to be a nobody by world standards. Personally I can claim it has served me well for 79 years because now I have great memories of just doing anyway, especially of all the things learned when I failed, which I recognized as knowledge God wanted me to have for His reasons.

When the doing was done, the problem solved, challenge met, even if no one else knew, I can recall and be so thankful for God’s Divine Creative Intervention.

I can say I have been free to be true to myself - and, more importantly, to God, as I put His opinion first above all else as I accept that I am here - but not of here.

That defines excellence for me.

The thing that really testifies for God and for the people of God in the long run is steady perseverance, even when the work cannot be seen by others. And the only way to live an undefeated life is to live looking to God. Ask God to keep the eyes of your spirit open to the risen Christ, and it will be impossible for drudgery to discourage you. ~ Oswald Chambers

It’s a joke with my peeps that whatever project I am deep into here in my wind up s I call my last big thing’ but I really mean it this time. Making music with my lyrics - is my last big thing.

https://www.youtube.com/@MeemanatorMusic