Dear Editor,
Usain, unlike many of us Jamaicans, is playing his role in life, or he is moving to fulfil his purpose on this planet. He has been on the job and has performed admirably, so far.
Some people have suggested that the gentleman be made a national hero, others have asked that certain buildings, even streets, be renamed after him. A Bolt note (currency) to honour the superb athlete has also been cited for consideration.
Yet, I believe we might pay homage to Bolt by changing our mindset, individually and collectively, to advance honesty, self-respect, civic pride, respect for others, civility, positive work attitude, self-reliance, and productivity, in the first instance.
In primary school, we were encouraged to take note of a piece,
Alumnus Football by Henry Grantland Rice, an early 20th century American sportswriter and poet. The teacher would put her own start to the piece with a resonant: “Play the game!” We would continue with Rice’s:
“…For when the one great scorer comes
To mark against your name,
He writes not that you won or lost,
But how you played the game.”
Beyond Usain Bolt, each person will ultimately have the task of making his/her own assessment as to how well he/she played the game of life.
In the interim, it will serve us well to emulate “The Big Man“ by overtaking idleness and pettiness, as we bolt with concentration and conviction towards our goals.
Erica Brown Marriott
piapam2014@gmail.com
Usain, unlike many of us Jamaicans, is playing his role in life, or he is moving to fulfil his purpose on this planet. He has been on the job and has performed admirably, so far.
Some people have suggested that the gentleman be made a national hero, others have asked that certain buildings, even streets, be renamed after him. A Bolt note (currency) to honour the superb athlete has also been cited for consideration.
Yet, I believe we might pay homage to Bolt by changing our mindset, individually and collectively, to advance honesty, self-respect, civic pride, respect for others, civility, positive work attitude, self-reliance, and productivity, in the first instance.
In primary school, we were encouraged to take note of a piece,
Alumnus Football by Henry Grantland Rice, an early 20th century American sportswriter and poet. The teacher would put her own start to the piece with a resonant: “Play the game!” We would continue with Rice’s:
“…For when the one great scorer comes
To mark against your name,
He writes not that you won or lost,
But how you played the game.”
Beyond Usain Bolt, each person will ultimately have the task of making his/her own assessment as to how well he/she played the game of life.
In the interim, it will serve us well to emulate “The Big Man“ by overtaking idleness and pettiness, as we bolt with concentration and conviction towards our goals.
Erica Brown Marriott
piapam2014@gmail.com