The beginning don't matter. The end don't matter. All that matters is what you do in between...the greatest reward is to know that you did your job when you were here on the planet.
Interpretation
Focus on your actions in the present rather than the past or future.
This quote emphasizes the importance of the present moment and the actions we take during our lives. It suggests that we should prioritize what we do while we are alive, rather than worrying excessively about beginnings or endings, as the true fulfillment comes from knowing we have made a positive impact in the time we have.
In practice
During a motivational speech to inspire students.
In life, there's the beginning and the end. The beginning don't matter. The end don't matter. All that matters is what you do in between – whether you're prepared to do what it takes to make change. There has to be physical and material sacrifice. When all the dust settles and we're getting ready to play down for the ninth inning, the greatest reward is to know that you did your job when you were here on the planet.
The bottom line is, if you stay home, your message stays home with you. If you stand for justice and equality, you have an obligation to find the biggest possible megaphone to let your feelings be known. Don't let your message be buried and don't bury yourself.
How can you ask someone to live in the world and not have something to say about injustice?
You must find something that you deeply love and are passionate about and are willing to sacrifice a lot to achieve.
Ineffective people live day after day with unused potential. They experience synergy only in small, peripheral ways in their lives. But creative experiences can be produced regularly, consistently, almost daily in people's lives. It requires enormous personal security and openness and a spirit of adventure.
They tell me a revival is only temporary; so is a bath, but it does you good.
It's difficult to excel at something you don't truly enjoy.
I have a big-picture outlook, I am willing to fall, and I understand it's ok to fall, but I am going to get back up, I may take a step back, but in the end, I am going to take a giant leap forward.
If your determination is fixed, I do not counsel you to despair. Few things are impossible to diligence and skill. Great works are performed not by strength, but perseverance.
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