Lessons in the 'Fierce Urgency of Now'

Yesterday, President Obama awarded 15 people the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor our country can bestow. I watched the ceremony and was moved. These noble people picked themselves up and then helped others do the same. I've pulled some short bios from the President's remarks. Find some inspiration....

As President Obama said, these people are "the best of who we are and who we aspire to be.”

John Adams – In 1970 he and a small group of unpaid attorneys and law students setup an environmental law office with some old desks, chairs and file cabinets. The group became the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). Sitting at the same desk for 36 years he said “if people want to protect the environment we’ll support their efforts…if not, we’ll play hardball.” With more than 1 million members they have acted as the planet’s lawyer.

Maya Angelou – As a girl she suffered trauma and abuse that led her to literally stop speaking. She found a voice in poetry and writing and inspired millions with her words. She taught us “History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived. And if faced with courage, need not be lived again. Lift up your eyes upon the day breaking before you. Give birth again to the dream.”

Warren Buffet – At age 11 he invested all of his savings in 6 shares of City Services Perferred at $38 per share. The stock dropped sharply but he stayed the course. 70 years later he is not only one of the world’s richest men but one of the most admired and respected. He now devotes the vast majority of his wealth to those around the world who are suffering, sick or in need.

Gerta Klein – She spent 3 years in concentration camps enduring a 360-mile death march and weighing only 68 lbs when she was found by American forces. Now an author, historian and champion for tolerance she said, “I pray you never stand at any crossroads in your own life. But if you do, if the darkness seems so total, if you think there is no way out, remember to never ever give up.”

Rep. John Lewis - “If not us then who? If not now, then when?” is the sign posted above a doorway in Nashville where students refused to leave lunch counters 50 years ago. Now a civil rights leader and considered the conscience of the U.S. Congress, he understood change could not wait for some other person at some other time. His life is a lesson in the fierce urgency of now.

Tom Little – An optometrist from New York he spent 30 years with his wife Libby in Afghanistan serving the children of the region and giving them sight amid the horrors of warfare and repeated invasions. Amid the recent conflict he was ambushed and murdered last year in a senseless act of violence. He was a true humanitarian.

Silvia Mendez – As a young schoolgirl in California her parents fought a landmark school segregation case to allow Latinos into public schools. That case in 1946 paved the way for the historic Brown v. Board of Education ruling. Constantly told by her mother that she is every bit as good as anyone else, she has made it her mission to spread a message of tolerance and opportunity.

Stan “The Man” Musial – A Hall of Fame baseball player who lost one of the prime years while serving in the U.S. Navy. Musial was the first player ever to earn $100,000 and then insisted on a pay cut when he did not perform up to his own high standards. He remains an untarnished pillar of the St. Louis community to this day and happens to be one of my dad’s favorite ballplayers as a kid.

Bill Russell – Cut from his basketball team in junior high, he led the University of San Francisco to two NCAA championships and in 13 seasons with the Boston Celtics his team won 11 NBA titles. He stood for civil rights and marched with Dr. King and stood by Muhammad Ali. He became the first African-American to be the head coach for any major sports team. I his words, “I am not a basketball player. I am a man who plays basketball.” Bill Russell was the consummate teammate and defined what it meant to be a winner.

President George H. W. Bush – His 70 years of public service included being a decorated Navy pilot, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., CIA Director, Vice President and eventually the 41^st President of the United States. A champion of service to others and to country he continues to lend his efforts to aid Haitian earthquake relief. His humility and decency reflects the very best of the American spirit.

All of these people took a stand for themselves first and then took a stand for others. All I ask you to do is take a stand for yourself. What are you waiting for?

Be well,

Paul

www.ActivePersonalFitness.com