This post was originally published in June 2021
A half-hearted approach to anything will never yield whole-hearted results – Anonymous
The Question
One question stands out above all others when it comes to pressing forward into the next six months of the year: Are you all in? To be all in reflects commitment. I define commitment as the point where belief and action meet. Both must be in place for commitment to be visible and effective. This combination was visible in the life of Ramon “Ray Ray” McElrathbey.
Committed to Being Greater Than
Born into a home where addiction held his parents captive, Ramon had greater aspirations than what he saw every day. As a note to himself, Ramon developed a statement about making the best of your situation on his sleeve. A gifted athlete, Elrathbey eventually found his way out of his current environment through a football scholarship to Clemson University. His choice to go to Clemson was because of their commitment to family.
When his brother Fahmarr was on the verge of entering the social childcare system because their mother couldn’t care for him, Ramon risked his scholarship at Clemson by bringing his brother to live with him on campus. The family atmosphere was displayed as the Clemson community rallied around Ramon, who stuck to his commitment to excel as a student and athlete and care for his brother. He was all in from the start and did not back down or give up when the NCAA rules prohibited Ramon from receiving much-needed help for his brother from the Clemson community. But Ramon stood his ground and took the NCAA to task in seeking a waiver to grant his brother transportation and a trust fund to cover living expenses. The NCAA granted the exception.
The Danger of Half-Heartedness
Ramon did not waver in the face of difficulty. He did not capitulate to the gravity of the situation but rose to meet the challenge head-on because he was all in. Like Ray, we should desire to have an “all-in” approach to reach our goals and dreams. A half-hearted approach to anything in life leaves us stuck in the city of hesitation, where the roads are paved with insecurity, houses are painted with excuses, and the currency of ineffectiveness is exchanged at the rate of fear.
State And Stick With It
A whole-hearted commitment goes beyond mere interest. It doesn’t settle for dabbling in many trivial things but goes all in for a few essential things. To stick with a commitment, that commitment must be first stated. Those who carry a whole-hearted commitment live more satisfying lives despite the challenges and pressures that beat like waves against their commitment. Ray’s commitment was never to let his brother down, and he risked everything to keep it intact. Those who opt for a lukewarm approach only discover a life riddled with constant disappointment and are forever stuck with one of the most regret-filled statements, “If Only I ____________.
Those who carry a whole-hearted commitment live more satisfying lives despite the challenges and pressures that beat like waves against their commitment.
Final Thought: I believe Ray Ray’s life inspires because it reveals an all-in approach to the things that matter. His story is the focus of the Disney+ original movie Safety. What amount of heart are you bringing and giving to the valuable areas of your life? Being all in means you are committed to seeing something through to the end. What is it that you are all in for?
Keep on Keeping on!
Notes
Discover Your Treasure 