Music has an amazing ability to subdue the mind, touch the heart and stir the soul. There are reasons that great films all have great soundtracks. There are also reasons why nation’s and their military have anthems and songs designed to motivate their young to fight bravely – and if need be – make the ultimate sacrifice. Of course, the goal for a soldier, sailor or aviator – as brilliantly stated by George C Scott in that memorable opening to the movie Patton, – is to “make the other poor dumb b-st-rd die for his country. “
We sit on July 4th with family and friends. By the millions, we are relaxing (okay, not me so much, I’m busy writing and editing a book). But on July 4, 1776, the founders signed the Declaration of Independence and the days were dark indeed. England in those days was the world’s superpower. To commit to risk their lives and fortunes, but not give up their sacred honor, many of those founders fought, bled, died and indeed lost their all.
That is what we remember. Sacrifice is the price of freedom. Everything has its price. The price of slavery is arguably higher than the price of freedom. The price of failure is higher than the price paid to achieve success. Biblical wisdom tells us that the luke warm – the mediocre – will get vomited out of the Lord’s mouth.
So by comparison to those brave souls who went up against the world’s greatest power to declare their Independence, what is it that we face, personally or professionally? Are we ready to pop in a CD or flip on the iPod, put the theme to Rocky on or whatever music it is that moves us to give our best?
This morning, as I mediated on our manufactured housing and modular/prefab home Industry and the great Country we serve, I thought about a piece of music, that has long moved me. Let me share the lyrics with you, in the context of the musical story that it was set in.
Then let me ask you to think about these words and what they may mean to your cause as an individual and business professional, our cause in making millions more Americans realize the value that we bring them and to think about how this great land – the United States of America – can turn things around and still see brighter days!
—
“The Quest”
ALDONZA
Why do you do these things?
DON QUIXOTE
What things?
ALDONZA
These ridiculous… the things you do!
DON QUIXOTE
I hope to add some measure of grace to the world.
ALDONZA
The world’s a dung heap and we are maggots that crawl on it!
DON QUIXOTE
My Lady knows better in her heart.
ALDONZA
What’s in my heart will get me halfway to hell.
And you, Señor Don Quixote-you’re going to take
such a beating!
DON QUIXOTE
Whether I win or lose does not matter.
ALDONZA
What does?
DON QUIXOTE
Only that I follow the quest.
ALDONZA
(spits)
That for your Quest!
(turns, marches away; stops, turns bock
and asks, awkwardly)
What does that mean… quest?
DON QUIXOTE
It is the mission of each true knight…
His duty… nay, his privilege!
To dream the impossible dream,
To fight the unbeatable foe,
To bear with unbearable sorrow
To run where the brave dare not go;
To right the unrightable wrong.
To love, pure and chaste, from afar,
To try, when your arms are too weary,
To reach the unreachable star!
This is my Quest to follow that star,
No matter how hopeless, no matter how far,
To fight for the right
Without question or pause,
To be willing to march into hell
For a heavenly cause!
And I know, if I’ll only be true
To this glorious Quest,
That my heart will lie peaceful and calm
When I’m laid to my rest.
And the world will be better for this,
That one man, scorned and covered with scars,
Still strove, with his last ounce of courage,
To reach the unreachable stars!
—
Don’t take the easy way out. If the cause is worthy, then Do whatever it takes. Nobility is found in doing what is right, no matter the cost. ##
