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Jay Rifenbary's Blog
Achievement - Celebrate the Human Spirit
There is little that comes close to the
excitement and satisfaction of human achievement. Yet, there is a prevailing
wind that achieving success is being stifled by the continuous emphasis on
class differences, and often political maneuvering for the purpose of gaining power.
An energy promulgating the need to compare, rather than inspiring one to
individually excel is socially debilitating. It is always easier to use the
achievement of others as an excuse to justify your own inabilities, than it is
to take the initiative to learn and apply the principles that created that
achievement. Of course, I am referring to those who achieve ethically and
fairly, and not at the expense of others. In addition, I am not including those
who are genuinely in need, and have been victimized. I am referring to the
pseudo victims who have the capability to achieve, but decide to use those who
do achieve as their excuse for not achieving themselves.
It is destructive to a
society when more attention is paid to having been the victim, rather than
encouraging a path of self-reliance, self-respect and personal accountability.
The backbone of human achievement has been independence never dependence,
freedom never tyranny, and free markets never controlled markets. These
principled applications are far from perfect, and their have been many
instances of unfairness and injustice throughout history, but it has been those
ideals that have created, for this nation, the greatest innovation, creativity,
and achievement the world has ever seen. Human achievement should never be
frowned upon and never used to divide its citizenry, but a catalyst to inspire
every citizen to strive toward their own potential and ultimate achievement.
Achievement is defined as, "something accomplished, especially by superior
ability, special effort, great courage, etc., a great or heroic deed." I
may be an idealist, but I believe everyone has the ability to achieve if the
resources and education are available. In this nation, with all of its
abundance, there is no excuse not to promote that potential in all of us. The
foundation of any achievement stems from an awareness of the values, skills and
characteristics that it takes to achieve. Ayn Rand stated, ”Happiness is that
state of consciousness which proceeds from the achievement of one’s values.” Personal accountability, awareness and
acceptance are the cornerstones to begin to understand those values, skills and
characteristics. Secondarily, confidence and self-respect are the result of
acting on those cornerstones. Without a foundation of what you stand for and
believe in, your core values, the soul is lost. Without confidence and
self-respect the mind is discouraged and the spirit depressed.
It is not
someone or something that limits your own achievements. It is the understanding
that it ultimately comes down to your attitude, and your desire to break away
from the old, and strive for the new. As Helen Keller said, “Optimism is the
faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and
confidence.” There are those who can influence you both positively and
negatively. Ultimately, it is your responsibility to embrace the challenge to
achieve, or live as a victim and believe some outside entity will rescue you
from yourself. The answer to your ultimate happiness never resides outside, but
rather an internal sense of living a life that is honest, honorable and aligned
with what you project to the outside. Stuff may suppress having to take
accountability for your life, but it will never fill the void of being
personally dishonest.
To achieve is to reveal who you are to yourself, and the potential you possess to be a successful person. Success is different for everyone, but it is the individual that defines it for themselves, not a corporation, not reality television, not your friends, and not the government. The beauty of who we are as a people has always been the belief that the sky is the limit of what is possible. Does anyone honestly believe that to devalue achievement motivates anyone? Achievement will never be celebrated when it is limited, dictated and controlled. It will breed apathy, a lack of work ethic, decreased morale, dependency, and little motivation for an individual to take the initiative to do anything different. As author Denis Waitley said, “The most splendid achievement of all is the constant striving to surpass yourself and to be worthy of your own approval.”
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