I’ve been a lot of things in my life— a husband, a father, a journalist, a professor, before that a bartender, a musician, a writer, a casual observer of American politics.
I serve on a lot of boards and volunteer probably more than I should.
I don’t say this to be self-aggrandizing. Far from it.
Jennifer and I both just believe that you get out of life what you put into it. And we try to put into it as much as we can. Sometimes it is too much. It’s overwhelming.
That’s evident as it is almost 1 a.m. Wednesday morning as I’m pinning this column.
I’m behind deadline again on multiple projects. It has been a long day. But it has been productive. Productivity is good.
Our values keep us centered in our community and there have been some key community organizations along have the way that have done just that. One such organization is Rotary International.
I’m not an active member these days. I’m a backsliding Rotarian and need to rectify that. I have been a Rotary Club member in different communities across the state.
My longest tenure at any Rotary Club was in Whitesboro.
I was a club president and presided over the last three members closing our club in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. What had once been the oldest club in Grayson County dwindled away to nothing.
I felt bad about it.
Though I haven’t found another Rotary Club since, I’m still compelled by its motto of “Service Above Self.”
Those are words to live by— “Service Above Self.”
Rotarians also have a way of making decisions. It’s called the Rotary Four-Way Test. It is a nonpartisan, nonsectarian ethical guide for Rotarians to use for their personal and professional relationships.
Rotarians say it is “the things we think, say or do.” And it shouldn’t be just for Rotarians.
The Four-Way Test informs every decision we make and influences every relationship we foster.
Every bit of business we conduct should be determined by asking ourselves these four simple questions.
In the wake of our political divides at home and nationwide, I believe the Four-Way Test is more needed now than ever.
So much so that I will just leave you with it now:
1) Is it the TRUTH?
2) Is it FAIR to all concerned?
3) Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIP?
4) Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?