May 31, 2021
If I asked you who was the first person to break the sound barrier, who would you say? The answer would most likely be Chuck Yeager and that would be correct. If I asked you who was the second person to do it, who would you say? My guess is that you would not have an answer as I too did not when I was asked this question. When I was given the answer by the person* who achieved such a miraculous feat in aviation, albeit the 2nd time, he reminded me of an interesting axiom: “No one remembers 2nd place.”
Throughout my career I have thought a lot about the idea that no one remembers second place which has pushed me to work harder and try to accomplish just a little bit more in many of my endeavors. In the end, I suspect it is true in many cases, but what if we asked a different question?
What if we asked: When I Serve those around me, will they even care if I have finished in 2nd place? Or last?
For example, what about the man who flew fast? He was a man I knew in my childhood and was a decorated Air Force pilot who not only broke the sound barrier but also flew the SR-71 Blackbird at speeds most could not comprehend. This gentleman did not just fly fast but he also Served his country as he piloted the U2 spy plane over Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union. I like to think these acts of Service to his country provided information that bolstered this great nation and protected his fellow Americans and members of the Armed Services.
Does only being the 2nd person to beat the nature of sound negate a lifetime of Service? I would like to think that No, it certainly does not. In fact, if we turn the equation around and look at Service from the other side it shows us it is really about the ones we are Serving. Service is about helping others. Doing things that benefit others with no expectation of receiving anything in return. Sometimes at great cost to yourself.
A little-known chapter in my early career was that I served in the United States Army for a time. I followed in the footsteps of my Father, Grandfather, the man who went fast and others like them whom I idolized as a youth. During my time in the Service, I did not fight any wars, nor did I fly at super-sonic speed, but I did Serve. I gave my time and effort in the Service of others. I hope I made a difference in somewhere in all of those dusty and remote projects I worked on.
There is no question this time of Service in the Armed Forces is one of my proudest accomplishments. It was not glamorous or well-documented save for a few photos captured on the medium of film. And since I hung up the uniform, I have asked myself a time or two if it was worth the sacrifice and effort and the answer is one of the surest ones I have in this time of self-imposed introspection. Absolutely. I would do it again and encourage everyone to do something and Serve others.
I posit Service may just be one of the greatest acts anyone can ever do simply because it is not about you. It is about your fellow inhabitants of this crazy world that appears to be spinning ever faster. What if we all looked around and took a moment to find an opportunity to Serve others?
It can be a simple act of kindness like helping someone load groceries into their car, volunteering for a project at work, or spending time with an after-school/church program. It can be Anything! In fact, I challenge all of us to commit an act of Service and when it is Done, post in the comments, a simple ‘Done.’ I will be right there cheering you on.
Take note, I did not challenge you to take a photo. Service is about the one being Served and the second you document the effort it is no longer about the Served, it is about you. Simply execute. No frills, no fanfare, just you Serving without any exaltation.
Take the challenge. Do something in Service without expecting anything in return. Do it today. Do it tomorrow. And then do it again. Can you imagine how much good could be generated with little bits of effort all of the time?
Happy Memorial Day my friends. Fly fast in Service.
- Clayton P.
*Post-Script. I did a little research, and it turns out there is a lot of discrepancy on which flying ace broke the sound barrier second. The above claim may simply be Bravado, but I have no doubt his Service is not.
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