Commentary: In New Year, Dare To Be Extraordinary

Commentary: In New Year, Dare To Be Extraordinary
by Howie Nestel
San Antonio Express News
December 2021

I’m not a billionaire philanthropist. And I’m certainly no Mother Teresa. But I will tell you that the secret to a life worth living is service — and in my book, that’s extraordinary.

So as you resolve in 2022 to exercise more, get organized and lose weight, may I be so bold as to suggest that you challenge yourself to also become extraordinary?
Doing so means you’ll have to deprogram yourself. In other words, you must unlearn the customary new year goals you’ve been conditioned to strive for by social media, family and peers.

Human beings, like other animals, are motivated by two factors: the proverbial carrot and stick.

My carrot is a belief that to live an extraordinary life, one must destroy the law of familiarity. You know, those resolutions that are rarely attained, year after year.

The stick part centers on a question I fear most: “Is this all there was?” I never want to look back on my life and have to ask myself that.

These two factors have led me to a life that includes serving others and, as a result, a journey toward an outside-the-ordinary existence.

Most of us have a dysfunctional relationship with life. In our younger years, we have an idyllic vision of how our lives should be, and at some point we become disillusioned and disappointed.

That happens primarily because we value elusive goals like youth, beauty, fame and fortune. These objectives constantly outdistance us and often leave us wanting something different, something more.

But what about aspirations of happiness and fulfillment? And while I prefer to not speak in absolutes, I know that service is almost always the answer to important questions like “what is the meaning of life?” and “how do I find happiness?”

If five decades on this crazy planet have taught me anything, it is that service is a key that unlocks the fullness of life. You see, by serving others, one can’t help but feel a deep sense of gratitude for what we have. Then, we can use our gifts — time, talent and treasure — to give others a hand up.

I have served on 50 nonprofit boards, raised millions of dollars so children battling cancer can enjoy forever experiences, and 25 years ago, I founded the Gotcha Covered Collection Drive that provides clothing, toiletries and food to those less fortunate.

On ExpressNews.com: ‘We are responsible’: San Antonio charity hosts drive to help homeless and less fortunate

Full disclosure — my efforts are not purely altruistic. They may have started that way, but because my life has been enriched in so many ways by giving, I almost feel guilty. I don’t give to receive, but life has a way of reflecting back what we put out — the positive effects we have on others. And that, my friends, is the most valuable currency there is.

So, while there’s nothing inherently wrong with resolving to improve one’s appearance, decluttering or shedding a few unwanted pounds in the new year, achieving these goals will, at best, dot your life with so-called pleasures of the moment.

But if you dare to be extraordinary by serving others without expecting anything in return, then you’ll most certainly be met with a success unachieved by most. And, hopefully, you’ll be rewarded with a true sense of happiness.

Read article on San Antonio Express News Here