Did You Do Your Best?

If you follow the news, you’re probably aware that Jimmy Carter, the 39^th President of the United States is on hospice care. While his days on this planet may be numbered, his legacy (both good and bad) will live on. Part of this legacy is a story I once heard that I felt was worth sharing today.

As the story goes, in 1952 Jimmy Carter applied for the prestigious nuclear submarine program under the demanding Admiral Hyman Rickover. During his interview with the Admiral, Carter was told to discuss any topics he wished to talk about.

Fortunately, the future Nobel Peace Prize winner was well-versed in the areas of current events, seamanship, music, literature, naval tactics, electronics, and gunnery, and thus chose those subjects. But as Rickover grilled the former president on questions about each of these topics, Carter soon realized how very little he actually knew. He started to sweat under the collar as he felt less and less qualified and more and more inept with each question that was posed.

Finally, Carter was asked the question he had waited for, which he felt would redeem himself:

“How did you stand in your class at the Naval Academy?”

“Sir, I stood fifty-ninth in a class of 820,” Carter replied with a sense of pride.

As Carter waited for a congratulations that never came, he was asked another question:

“Did you do your best?”

Although tempted to say yes, Carter mulled over the question and recalled times he could have learned more about allies, enemies, strategies and weapons. He finally replied, “No sir, I didn’t always do my best.”

Admiral Rickover then turned around his chair to promptly end the interview. On his way out, he asked one final question of Carter:

“Why not?”

During this Lenten time, it’s a great time to ask ourselves, “Are we doing our best for God?”

Even if you’re not Catholic, it’s still a great time to ask yourself if you really are doing your best.

And depending on your answer, an even better question to ask is: Why not?

Whether or not you believe that you will one day have to answer to God, think of all the other individuals in your life who have sacrificed for you – parents, teachers, coaches, friends, etc.

You did not get to where you are today by your actions alone.

We owe it to all those who have helped us, as well as ourselves, to always do our best. It is a great way to show our gratitude and appreciation to others. Not to mention, it usually benefits us to put our best foot forward in all circumstances, whenever possible.

As I have previously said, “Life doesn’t owe us anything. It’s us who owes life our best.”

A group of people who will be giving it their best are those participating in the Glass City Marathon in honor of Getting Back Up. The marathon is a month away and we have reached 25% of our goal, but still have more work to do.

Please consider supporting this worthwhile endeavor with a donation you can make here.

Any support is greatly appreciated!

Stand Strong!

Scott