I have seen this father and son combination before as ‘they’ competed in triathlons and it has the same effect on me whenever I see it. I get a lump in my throat as I am stunned at the physical stamina of the dad, the commitment to his son, the obvious joy on his son’s face and the profound love, on display for all the world to see, that they share.
Why is that? What chord deep within us does this story strike and cause to resonate to anyone who sees it?
I think the answer is that in these two people we see the best of the human spirit as it overcomes something much more than mere adversity. It is triumph over what could have easily been a life destined to despair. It is deep appreciation of joy, love and the spiritual value resident in every human being no matter their physical condition.
Right there in front of everyone are the factors that define and determine success. It seems to me they are: commitment, desire, effort, love, joy, shared vision and unselfish achievement to raise, not only yourself, but those around you up to extraordinary accomplishment by the single-minded pursuit of your chosen goals.
There are those who claim success is financial prosperity, political power, the imposition of their religious values on others, or world domination. They live in the facade of form. For those of us who understand that true success is in the substance, the chord of truth, it is important that we hear the ‘chord’ in this video story. And that chord, the one that resonates in us as we watch this video is extraordinary commitment fueled by unconditional love.
We know what constitutes heroic achievement when we see it and we know deeply felt passion for the immense effort required to achieve when we see it. And, when we do behold it in such purity, we weep in appreciation of it’s value.
Fill your efforts toward success with values that are lasting and timeless because they are right and good. Values that resonate with freedom and liberty for the human spirit yearning to be free. Values that others pledged their lives, fortunes and sacred honor towards. Values of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
It is the nobility found in this father and son team that we admire, respect and love. It is the nobility of our view of freedom which we possess in ourselves and long to see rise again in this land that moves us. It is the nobility of their quest that strikes a chord deep within us all as we each reach within ourselves to fulfill success in our own quests for liberty and justice for all. As this father reached deep down inside himself and drew upon a strength of character to give to his child all that he could, we also must do the same to maintain the light of liberty for our children upon this earth.
"Let us not abate our courage in doing what is right; for in due time we shall reap a reward, if we do not faint." Galatians 6:9
"Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war's desolation,
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the Heav'n - rescued land
Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserved us a nation.Then conquer we must, for our cause is just,
And this be our motto--"In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave."
(The fourth stanza of the Star Spangled Banner)
Our cause, our quest for liberty is just. May all of your successes be timeless, fill you with joy and lift up those around you.
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