May 9th, 2009

Dear Crimson Chronicle Editor:

Being mediocre and average seems to be the accepted norm of our nation. No longer are we encouraged to excel and to push the limits of our skills and education. “We are like eggs at present. And you cannot go on indefinitely being just an ordinary, decent egg. We must be hatched or go bad.” C. S. Lewis’s quote strikes at the heart of the problem. Going outside our comfort zones is the only way we grow: physically, mentally, and spiritually. With our current state of mediocrity, will we continue in our self-destroying lifestyles, or will this economic downturn, as in the past, prompt us to greater heights of achievement and excellence in technology, science, and society?

The personal challenge of excelling, perceived in our culture as ‘over achieving,’ is a hard concept for many of us. This battle against the easy way out is difficult not only because of our sin natures, but because we as a nation have come to accept mediocrity as the norm and actually look down on those that do excel. I myself have struggled many times and still struggle with combating these attitudes. Even now as I write this letter I am tempted to compromise the standards I have set for myself and skip this assignment, trusting in my grade to carry me through. Can I, like Stonewall Jackson, continue without compromising my principles, or will my laziness win out? Alex and Brett Harris, authors of “Do Hard Things,” have this to say about the issue: “…as young people we are called to be exemplary in all areas of life. Our generation is falling incredibly short of that calling. Instead of serving as the launching pads of life, the teen years are seen as a vacation from responsibility.” Their blog called “The Rebelution” has given much inspiration to young people, encouraging them to “rebel” against low expectations.

As a student of this university, I ask my fellow students, “will we continue to be content with being the average, or will you join me and others across this nation in striving for excellence?” It may be that we can reverse this mindset of mediocrity, and once again establish America as the leader of nations. Instead of trying to figure out the loopholes for approved laziness, let us take hold of the mantle of responsible citizenship and “abound” in excelling.

Sincerely,
Matthew Alumbaugh