April 2. 2025
Like it or not,
Knowing or not,
We test our character every day.
And whether we meet our aspiration
Is not the point of the exercise,
But it is the act of trying each day.
That defines our identity.
And when we fail our aspiration
We do not crumble,
Nor do we give up.
We are given the grace to grieve,
Regret,
And reflect,
Before we are asked to try again.
For character is the measure of a person,
Measuring humanity one person at a time.
And unlike a chain,
Whose strength is its weakest link,
We are the sum parts of our character,
Creating a foundation,
Defining humanity.
So take your responsibility seriously,
Take care to honor not only your effort,
But the efforts of all of humanity around you,
For we need not only to lift ourselves,
But give grace to lift those whose turn it is to fail.
Always with forgiveness,
Without judgment.
And when they fail their aspiration,
When they crumble,
And fail in your eyes.
We must give them grace,
and respite,
And reflection,
So we can ask them to try again.
And humanity can persevere.