Rockridge High School
Taylor Ridge, Illinois
Teacher: Barbara Downey
Excellence in 21st Century America
By Abby L. Parchert
12th Grade
Excellence: the quality of being excellent; the state of possessing good qualities in an eminent degree; having exalted merit; and having superiority in virtue.
Every person in his or her own way strives for excellence each day in one form or another. Whether it is physical excellence or metaphysical excellence, most people have subconsciously established goals and standards for themselves.
However, by simply living in the 21st Century, the average American is distracted from the one thing they should work the hardest for: achieving excellence. People from every walk of life stumble across opportunities each day to be excellent; however, it is that person’s choice whether or not to act on those chances. Even if there is nothing tangible to back such achieved excellence, the feelings of gratitude in the heart and mind will be overwhelming.
Every person has a different definition of the word “excellence“. One may believe he has reached excellence because of a well paying job, a loving wife and children, and a warm atmosphere to come home to each night when the five o’clock quitting time bell rings. But someone else may believe he has achieved excellence by simply sitting on the couch for the majority of the day, flipping through the channels, snacking on a stale piece of pizza, and living off the government. We as Americans have no right to judge who is or who is not excellent; however, we do have to face the facts that we know that some have indeed abandoned the goal of reaching excellence in their lives.
Excellence comes in two forms: metaphysical and physical. More Americans seem to strive for physical excellence as opposed to metaphysical. It is disappointing sometimes to look at America in the 21st Century because it seems that all we see is jealousy and competition. Physical excellence is viewed by some as having a bigger house, a fancier car, or even by wearing tons of make-up and high-heeled shoes. Physical excellence once achieved can be seen and touched. However, I do not believe that physical excellence is what makes a person happy today. I believe instead that metaphysical excellence is what Americans should truly strive for.
Metaphysical excellence actually rewards a person internally for the good works they have accomplished. This reward warms the heart and brightens the mind. Merely stopping by a food pantry on the way home or helping out with the school PTA can change a person’s life forever. If more people in America focused on this form of excellence, I feel there would not be as much competition and boasting as we seem to encounter now. Metaphysical excellence can also be described as a feeling one gets inside after having achieved such goals and having reached the level of excellence they had hoped for. However, by human nature it seems Americans automatically strive for physical excellence instead, completely overlooking the satisfaction that metaphysical excellence can bring.
Albert Einstein once said, "try not to become a man of success. Rather become a man of value." Within this quote are noted aspects of physical and metaphysical excellence. He relates this quote to the people who are trying too hard to be rich and famous but not trying hard enough to be worth something inside. Every American should follow the words of Einstein and actually strive to achieve something they want to be recognized for.
When I ask myself if I personally have abandoned excellence, I am torn between yes and no. I am not the type of person who cares about what kind of car I drive or how much money I earn at my part time job, but I am a typical American. I do enjoy the luxuries of having a little extra money to enjoy a big shopping spree, and I like to go out with friends to have a night on the town. Participating in acts such as these does not bother me. What bothers me is when I find myself not volunteering as often, forgetting to stop in to see older relatives who will not be around much longer, or even overlooking my brother when I can tell he needs someone to talk to. I even get too caught up in this fast paced society to seriously stop and concentrate on making a difference. In my daily life I try my hardest to strive and achieve metaphysical excellence. I am not a material person and I hope I never become one. The feeling I receive inside after helping someone in need is good enough for me.
America in the 21st Century may have abandoned the idea of striving for excellence, but only the metaphysical form. I believe that we strive too hard most of the time for physical excellence, with our focus on material things and the possession of wealth. We cannot judge a person for his/her personal definition of the word. In the 21st Century, the only people who matter are the ones who make a difference. And those making a difference will discover the true meaning to the word “excellence“.
Questions
Q1. Am I really where I want to be?
Yes, I believe, for the time being I am where I want to be. I have to go to high school and I get through every day knowing that going there is helping me plan for my future. I am very happy with my relationship with my family as well as my friends, and I would not change any part of it. I am looking forward to attending college this fall and pursuing a career, which will get me through the rest of my life.
Q2. Am I moving in the direction that will enable me to make the greatest contribution?
Yes, In college I will be taking classes that will enable me to get a degree in agriculture/business. With a career in the agriculture industry I believe I will be able to help my country and my state to further their knowledge of agriculture products.
Q3. If I could achieve my highest goals, what would my accomplishments look like?
Graduating high school and college are my two main goals I hope to achieve. Once out of college I hope to have my degree in agriculture, and hopefully I will get a successful job. I want to get married and raise a family. Being happy is what I most hope for.
Q4. Do I recognize excellence and search it out or do I find mediocre acceptable and am willing to settle?
If I see something in my life that is not “excellent”, I do not usually agree with it, but at times I find myself settling for it. If it is myself that I find slacking in excellence, I will try my hardest to change my ways and become a better person. If something in my life is not excellent, I usually try to make it better so I can live a happier life.
Q5. Do I seek out people, books, movies, and other things that encourage me to be the best I can be?
I basically look to people in my life to give me inspiration. My parents have been a great influence in my life, and they always push me to accomplish the goals that I have set for myself. They expect me to do my best in academics, life in general, and athletics. I really do not look to things other than people to encourage my success.
Q6. Do I recognize the best in others?
I always look for the best in people and I try not to judge them for their place in life. If someone does something excellent, I will tell them, so they know that someone is proud of their achievements. I want people to recognize my excellence, so I return the favor by noticing theirs.
Q9. Do you agree with Morrow (paragraph seven) that: “Excellence demands standards. It does not usually flourish in the midst of rapid, hectic change. This century’s sheer velocity has subverted the principle of excellence; a culture must be able to catch its breath.”
Yes, I agree because everything in this century is flourishing as new improvements are being made to technology etc. It is hard to find excellence when there is so much going on in the world. We all need to just slow down and realize that we are all slacking because of so many advancements around us.
Q7. Interpret this quote from paragraph nine: “Woe to them that are at ease in Zion.”
Do not settle, you can always do something better. Zion was such a place that the people there took life very lightly. They assumed nothing would ever happen to them to mess up their lives. They had everything they needed. This “comfort zone” they were in made them unaware of real life when tragedy took place. When Zion experienced an attack; the people there did not expect it.
Q8. Argue pro and con of Morrow’s contention that “Americans not yet successful (the struggling, the underclass) are apt to aim at ease, not excellence’?
The underclass is more apt to settle for ease than excellence, because they are not likely to brag and be the best. However, even the underclass people need to strive to be the best they can be and not settle for anything other than the point of excellence they have set for themselves. They should be able to achieve excellence just like everyone else in the world.
Q9. Explain what Morrow means when he says (A) “the confusion contaminates character and disables ambition.” Do you agree?
Yes, I agree. If a person does not understand what excellence really means, they will have a hard time achieving it in their lives. Understanding excellence is the first step to achieving excellence.
Q10. Argue pro and con the effect of over stimulation and under stimulation as discussed in paragraph 10.
There are several pros and cons when comparing over and under stimulation. An over stimulation pro is that you feel pushed because people are backing you up. An over stimulation con is sometimes the stress and pressure can cause you to get frustrated and less focused. An under stimulation pro is that you are not nearly as stressed and worried about various things. An under stimulation con is that you have no support and nobody backing you up.
Q11. Contrast practical excellence with metaphysical excellence as used in Morrow’s last paragraph.
The true meaning of excellence does not come from wealth and fame. Metaphysical excellence is felt inside a person after they have done something wonderful. Practical excellence is the kind of excellence that can be seen and touched and Morrow is trying to make us understand that the real excellence in life is metaphysical.
Q12. Copy and interpret your two favorite quotes. Explain why you chose them.
“Nothing can bring you peace but yourself.”
You are the only source of your happiness. If you are personally not happy with yourself, then you will live a life that frustrates you. In order to live a peaceful life you must first find happiness within your life.
“I am the master of my fate. I am the captain of my soul”
You are the only person that can decide your future. You “drive” your soul and you point your life down the path you want it to go down. Nobody else can tell your soul where to go and how to live.