Hi Reader,

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"Did you do your best?"

It was school report card day.

Time for my mother to pose her usual question to me.

No matter what my grades were, that was all she wanted to know.

And thus, the desire to fulfill my potential was born.

And, of course, to make my Momma proud along the way.

At every life stage since then, in every job, and with every community role I take on...I've held the intention to do my best.

Sometimes, I took that desire a little too far.

By working longer and harder than I might've needed to.

Or by wanting to get more straight As or perfect scores on my school report card.

These days, I've gotten clearer on what "do my best" means.

By asking questions like:

Best for whom?

Who gets to pick the yardsticks I live by?

And...if things feel like they're falling apart - in the world, in your country, or within your family - is doing your best still worthwhile?

My idea of "best" has evolved a lot over time.

It's had to, for both practical and spiritual reasons.

But two things have remained constant.

1. If I have what it takes to do more, and I feel an inner nudge to stay the course...then there's more distance to cover, to reach my best. 💪
2. I still want and hope to make my Momma proud. 💐

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Rock on, Reader ✌️

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