Don't Be the Best In the World

​“Don’t be the best in the world. Be the best for the world.” - Dewitt Jones

This quote has been circulating around social media for the past few weeks.

It rang particularly true for me today as I sang for the funeral of a man who—from the small glimpse into his life I gathered through the eulogy and homily—took this concept to heart.

He didn’t set out to “be the best” at everything he did, though he achieved many things in his lifetime.

Instead, he approached life with joy and curiosity. He went out of his way to help others, and he cared not just ABOUT but FOR his community of family and friends in his own special, actionable way.

The love they felt for him was palpable.

THAT is a true achievement—the mark of a life well-lived.

In the end, what truly matters is not our career highlights, or the challenges we’ve overcome, or our personal claims to fame.

But did we show up every day—even when we’re in the weeds—and work toward being our best self FOR the world.

It’s not an easy task, AND it’s so worth striving for.

With gratitude,

Ashley