Luab: Sometimes our best is not good enough

MANY parents have lamented this way: “We tried our best to bring them up the right way, where did we fail?”

Children, too, cry out in anguish: “We have not been problem children, how come our parents are the ones giving us problems?”

I wish we had simplistic answers to questions like these; however, even psychiatrists and psychologists have to go into lengthy explanations. Sometimes, they can’t even come up with answers.

Take for example a young couple we thought were really ideal for each other. The wedding ceremony was perfect. Both families agreed that they were the perfect match. Twelve years later, they both agreed to go their separate ways while their only son was left to the care of his paternal grandparents.

Here’s another case. A highly accomplished, intelligent lady married the man of her dreams at the age of 27. Both were considered mature enough to make a go for their marriage. He became the center of her world. They begot six children who turned out to be all successful in their chosen careers.

At an early age, however, the children had become privy to the philandering of their father. He had no less than seven mistresses. They saw their mom bear all his shenanigans with patience and love. They saw their mom give the best of herself to their dad and her family. Many times they wondered at the cruelty of their dad to the point that they would hate him. At one very difficult moment, one son confronted his father saying, “How can you bear to see mom cry so hard! She has given you the best of herself!”

The father turned his back on the son and left the house. Apparently, his mom’s best was not good enough. That was the last they saw of him. He didn’t even come home to attend the wake and the burial of his wife!

Let’s bring the argument to another level. Some employees are very loyal to their firms. Some, however, never make it to the top. They are punctual, industrious, efficient and company-oriented. However, they are not creative, innovative or determined enough to reach the top. When retirement finally arrives, they retire with salary scales well below the expected salary benefits, not for lack of trying but somehow their best was just not good enough.

Some children are fed nutritious food, are not made to do chores and are even given tutors to help them in their studies. They do study. However, many still find themselves just slightly above the required passing mark.

Many small enterprises today are on the verge of folding up. High cost of raw materials, large payrolls, and the red tape choke the life of these small businesses. Proprietors have been really trying to keep afloat for the past 10 years.

However, one really cannot fight circumstances beyond their control. Other small enterprises are still surviving and hope to still survive due to what we call the EMF (extra mile factor).

Our youngsters have coined this acronym. In these present times, they say those who are welling to go the extra mile get rewarded in the end. Swimmers know this. Manny Pacquiao knows this and Tiger Woods definitely know this. It takes stamina, determination and hard work. Never mind the failures. One stands up to try again. Never mind the sweat flowing down one's face, wetting one's shirt, or the near exhaustion that sometimes sets in. The slogan these young executives use is: “Go the extra mile. Do not stop at your best!”

Inspiration does show itself like a ray of light in a darkened room. May we be inspired, too, by those who have succeeded by digging into their gut level and rising to greater heights by “going the extra mile.”