an unlikely source: Sports Illustrated.
The article that caught my attention, was an op-ed about ex-quarterback, Jake Plummer.
In 2007, at 32 years of age and healthy, the All-Pro Plummer was on track to make $5 million for the coming season.
And then he retired. Just like that. Why did he leave the average American male's dream? To spend more time with family & enjoy life.
That decision caught my attention, but what really inspired me, was what Plummer had to say at the funeral of his good friend, Pat Tillman.
Another special, interesting sports figure, Tillman also left football at the prime of his career; but for a different reason.
He left to serve his country, enlisting in the army. Soon he was sent off to Afghanistan, and was tragically killed in 2004.
At his funeral, Plummer had this to say:
"I was in the store the other day, and I saw PEOPLE magazine, and it had the cover of the 50 most beautiful people in the world,
or in America, and there was a picture of Pat. It was kind of ironic because I really looked and said, What is beauty?
Is beauty a pretty face, a nice smile, flowing hair, nice skin?
Not to me, it's not. To me beauty is living life to higher standards, stronger morals and ethics and believing in them, whether people tell you you're right or wrong.
Beauty is not wasting a day. Beauty is noticing life's little intricacies and taking time out of your busy day to really enjoy those little intricacies.
Beauty is being real, being genuine, being pure with no facade - what you see is what you get. Beauty is expanding your mind, always seeking
knowledge, not being content, always going after something and challenging yourself."
If 2 sports stars could realize what is truly valuable and beautiful, how much more so should we take to heart was is real in life.
I don't know if I could have this clarity if I was worshiped by millions of adoring fans, immersed in fame and fortune.
Let's remember what real beauty is; not a transient beauty that wrinkles & fades, but a beauty that lasts forever.
When one dies, his muscles and wealth don't accompany him, but his Torah & good deeds do.
"Beauty is living life to higher standards, not wasting a day, noticing life's intricacies, expanding your mind, not being content." Focusing on what's right.
As Hillel the Elder said over 2,000 years ago: "If I am not for myself, who is for me? And if I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?" (Ethics of the Fathers, Ch.1, 14)
Shabbat Shalom!
-Daniel
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