“Learn to operate in the duality of 
owning your brilliance and imperfections.” 
Sope Agbelusi 

As I gratefully approach yet another birthday, I would like very much to believe that I have my life in order. I’d like to believe that, through all the trials and tribulations of the past sixty-nine years, I have mastered all there is to be mastered in this amazing Game of Life. I would also like to believe that life is fair, that global hunger will be eradicated in my lifetime, and that justice for all is a reality in our country. Sadly, it’s not that easy.

Aside from my own actions and attitudes, I have no control over the fairness of life. I cannot guarantee that global hunger will cease to be a crisis in our world. I cannot promise that each and every American will experience the justice they deserve and desire. I would like to believe that I might have some type of positive influence on these things, but I know my ability to do so is severely limited. This, however, does not preclude me from seeing the world, those around me, and myself as inherently good.

I’m not perfect. I know this. Like most others I know and love, I am a work in progress. I live each day with the hope of making a positive difference in the lives of those around me. I’m aware of my foibles, but I’m not going to allow them to interfere with my purpose in life. Rather, I make a conscientious effort to target them as a way of improving myself.

Each morning, when the sun comes up, I make a commitment to myself to be a better person than I was the previous day. I know many others who do this, as well. In a recent exchange of email, a friend shared with me that a few years ago, he identified the five biggest weaknesses or challenges he’s faced in his life. His list included humility, patience, empathy, giving, and forgiveness. Today, at the age of 82, he acknowledged to me that he still has to work on the first three. What an impressive example for us all — to identify our most significant areas of weakness and to commit ourselves to consciously working to improve in those areas of our lives.

Those familiar with my writing are well aware of my love and respect for Coach John Wooden. He is probably best known for leading the UCLA Bruins’ men’s basketball team to ten national championships in twelve years. Yes, Wooden was an amazing coach, but he considered himself to be a teacher, first and foremost. In basketball, he stressed mastery of the basic fundamentals of the game. He took the same approach to life. He was well aware that perfection is unattainable, so he focused on constant improvement. His quote in the image above has inspired me for many years.

Yes, perfection is unattainable. This, however, should not deter us from striving for excellence. One day at a time, we have the opportunity to be better than we used to be. What more could anyone ask of us? After all, we are all a work in progress.