AN EXCELLENT NEW YEAR TO YOU
From Bevan Springer
New York Amsterdam News
ON THE ROAD (December 27, 2012) – “There is no real excellence in all this world which can be separated from right living.”
The words of the late David Starr Jordan resonate with me this week as I pen my final column for the year in this most excellent publication, the New York Amsterdam News.
It is a rare honor to be associated with a champion of truth which has withstood fierce assaults on its freedom to inform its loyal readers throughout a century of publishing.
I admit to being fixated with excellence. Why? Because it is our God-given responsibility to focus on those things which help convert our gifts, talents and abilities into value in the marketplace.
Our scriptures teach us not to be conformed to the pattern of this world, but to be transformed through the renewing of the mind. (Romans 12:2)
As we go about our lives in this world, it is so important that we guard our hearts, minds and our thoughts so we can live right, excellent lives, and be examples for our children and their children.
A few years ago, with the assistance and inspiration of my late business partner, Andria Hall, I founded the public relations company, Marketplace Excellence based the Biblical scripture: “Finally, brothers and sisters, 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).
In the often dark world with so many negative impulses, it is important that we communicate with excellence. We should do so even if we don’t feel like at times, so that we can live a life that is pleasing to God, and one which inspires our fellow man.
Moving along the path to excellence takes work as does distinguishing the difference between light and darkness and righteousness from unrighteousness.
The late Edwin Louis Cole explained that excellence is not the ability to do something once, but to do it successively successfully. “To do it once is skill, but to do it habitually is practice. Practice does not make perfect; it makes for excellence. Perfection is impossible; excellence is possible. Real men know that excellence in life is best achieved by being led by the Spirit of God,” Cole asserted.
He argued that “mediocre men work at their best; men seeking excellence strive to do better.”
As we enter a new year, my prayer is that “the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord” (Psalm 19:14) as I aim to do better.
Wishing you all an excellent holiday celebration, blue skies and silver linings in 2013.