In the previous post I referred to author Jose Ortega y Gasset's classification of man into two distinct groups, the "mass man" (or "common man") vs. the "excellent man." As stated by Ortega,
". . . we distinguished the excellent man from the common man by saying that the former is the one who makes great demands on himself, and the latter the one who makes no demands on himself, but contents himself with what heis, and isdelighted with himself. Contrary to what is usually thought, it is the man of excellence, and not the common man who lives in essential servitude. Life has no savour for him unless he makes it consist in service to something transcendental. Hence he does not look upon the necessity of serving as an oppression. This is life lived as a discipline – the noble life. Nobility is defined by the demands it makes on us – by obligations, not by rights. Noblesse oblige. 'To live as one likes is plebian; the noble man aspires to order and law' (Goethe)."
My favorite sentence in this paragraph is "Life has no savour for him unless he makes it consist in service to something transcendental." To me, that is the very definition of excellence; the service of something larger than ourselves, something significant, meaningful, and lasting. The "excellent" people are classified as such by choice, by the way they live their lives, and the purpose for which they strive. These people make demands upon themselves, they live a strenuous life in pursuit of greatness. Why? Because without such striving "life has no savour," in essence, life has no meaning, no joy, no fulfillment.
Here lies an interesting paradox; that the comfortable, easy life has an appealing appearance. However, for most of us, living a life of peace and affluence is unfulfilling and hollow. What appears alluring is actually fools gold. Authentic satisfaction and happiness comes when we sacrifice peace and affluence on the altar of significant service, accomplishment, and striving towards the desires of our hearts. It's when a man's actions are in line with the highest opinions and aspirations he holds for himself that he will feel the most alive. In fact, it is when he is the most alive.
Strive to be excellent. Make demands upon yourself to be all you can be. Serve others and live for a higher purpose. Read, study, and challenge yourself daily to improve. We forget the hours of our lives spent in leisure, but those given in service to our calling will long be remembered by others.
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