Developing Your Code, the Struggle for Virtue

"How do we preserve in peace the virtues necessary to win in war?" - General John Vessey, Jr., Introduction to Once an Eagle (by Anton Myrer)

Be a competitor worth following. 

Consider your personal goals. Summarize them in one sentence. What would that be?

It might be as simple as "to be a good person" or "to be the best version of myself every day."

“I was raised to believe that excellence is the best deterrent.” - Dawn Staley (US Women's National Team Coach)

The people you meet (your family being primary) and the books you read inform 'models' that inspire, appall, and define all in-between.

Benjamin Franklin sought to understand virtue, even creating a "tablet" with thirteen virtues embossed. 

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Franklin realized that he fell short of his aspirations. For example, he said of humility, "If I should achieve it, then I surely would be proud." 

Author David Brooks discussed resume virtues and eulogy virtues. One can compile a lengthy resume and fall horribly short during life's final accounting. Colleague Henry Haynes put it simply, "there are no U-Hauls behind hearses." Metaphorically speaking, our reputation might precede us but our character outlives us.

In his speech to graduates at West Point, General Douglas MacArthur advised a simple three-word code, "Duty. Honor. Country." 

In January 1974, sportswriter Heywood Hale Broun said, “Anybody who teaches a skill, which coaches do, is admirable. But sport doesn’t build character. Character is built pretty much by the time you’re six or seven. Sports reveals character."

Virtue sometimes exacts prices upon its models. “We realize the importance of our voices only when we are silenced.” — Malala Yousafzai, Nobel Peace Prize winner, education advocate, and a global symbol of moral courage.

The many great players in MVB history shared many examples worthy of your consideration - competition, discipline, sacrifice, sportsmanship, teamwork. Embracing virtue guarantees neither praise nor victory, only private satisfaction. 

Your virtues are not medals. They are your habits, loyalty, and grit. Carry them as shields. Protect them and use them in pressure. 

Be worthy competitors. Be worthy of following. 

Lagniappe.