Arete

Note: "Arete": Pronounced [ ahr-i-tey ] Sometimes our best efforts go unnoticed by everyone but ourselves. We strive mightily to succeed and accomplish something we think is important and of value to others that ultimately ends up in the proverbial wastelands of unseen and unrecognized accomplishments. Poets know this all too well as we put in endless hours of deep thought and effort to mold a few letters and words together into something never seen, heard, or experienced by another to lift one's heart and soul up off the ground or change or challenge a reader's perspective on any number of the innumerable mysteries and enigmas of life profound. In sum, we strive to shed new light on those around. Too often, however, our efforts fall far short of those whose eyes we hope to entertain and our endeavors appear to be all in vain. But are they? While we may be writing for the response and recognition of others, above all, we should be writing for ourselves, because at the end of the day, good writing is an arduous, lonely and persnickety pursuit towards happiness, self-satisfaction and improving our own mental well-being and state of mind. Writing builds character and helps us shine. The ancient Greeks called it "Arete," meaning excellence, or the extreme commitment to attain. It's nothing new to poets or writers of any kind or any other person who's dedicated to being, doing and/or becoming the best that they can possibly be at whatever it is they're striving to achieve. It's just a little something we would all do well to remind ourselves from time to time. When the recognition doesn't arrive to fill our hearts and heads with pride or obstacles stand in our way, remember writing means more than what we say. And blessed are they who think in terms of Arete`.