AND THEN SOME

Many years age, a famous song writing team, Kalmar and Ruby, wrote a popular music score entitled, Three Little Words. The song entertained us, and also became the title of a 1950 hit movie starring Red Skelton and Fred Astaire.   The words deemed to make the world turn, and most certainly they motivate mankind to do his best, and at times his worst, resounded in every phase of the life cycle.  The words, of course, are “I love you.”

 However, another set of words more impressive for motivation than “I love you” have been a challenge in my life.  A successful businessman, speaking with a group of professional workers, answered without hesitation when asked this question. “What factor most contributed to your success?” His response motivated each of them to greater efficiency.  He stated that when he had a task to complete or a problem to solve, he simply did his very best, and then some.  He believed these three little words, “and then some” made the difference in his life.

 After reading his philosophy, my approach to each challenge became more manageable.  Every  facet of life deserves full attention and the best one can do, whether it be gaining education, preserving a marriage, rearing children, living a Christian life, protecting our freedom, remaining loyal and committed to our employer, respecting our friends, contributing to our community, or growing old gracefully.  Imagine a world where every citizen embraced such a philosophy and joyfully traveled the extra mile or offered the extra boost so badly needed at times.

 Actually, I have met many people who live by this standard.  They bring joy and pleasure to all lives touched by their generosity and kindness.  You will not always find them where heroes stand, or in the battlefields of life.  You may find them waiting on the sidelines to dress and heal the wounds of the battle-scarred heroes and to encourage and inspire them to fight another day.  Our present world is in great need of strong men and women who can build sky scrapers and plant a flag on the moon, and they are there just waiting to be discovered.   However, just as important are those who hold up the hands of the mighty, encouraging and inspiring them to greater heights  as they do the very best they can, and then some.

As another year has passed, and I cope with the December side of life, I look back over the path my feet have traveled.   I hope I have helped lift a burden born by a friend,  journeyed that extra mile, listened carefully to that child tugging at my skirt, gave 110 percent to my employer, graciously loved and cared for my family, responded to community needs, and prayerfully respected and heeded the God to whom I truly entrust my soul.

If He chooses to allow me another year, I will continue to walk forward, one foot in front of the other, one day at a time, continuing to grow older gracefully with optimism, meeting the challenge each dawn brings always with the very best I can do, and then some.