And no, I am not talking about the TV Show, but please keep reading anyway!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A few years back, I was reading the book The Survivors Club by Ben Sherwood.  While reading it, my wife commented on her initial perception of the book being too morbid, since it recounts the stories of several people that almost died. I clarified that it isn’t a book about people almost dying, but instead it is an inspiring book about people that somehow overcame incredible adversity to live!

 

 

The beginning of the book points out the etymology of the word “survivor” and how it comes from the Latin word “supervivere” where “super” means “over, beyond” and “vivere” means “to live.”  In essence, “survivor” literally means “to live super” or, that a person that overcomes adversity to remain alive is able to do so because they are a “super liver.” 

 

 

Understanding the derivation of this word helps explain that the reason an individual “survived” isn’t because they just barely made it.  Instead, they had victory despite the odds because of their personal traits and attributes.  And that is important because life really is all about survival.

 

Every day, we each struggle to overcome all sorts of challenges and obstacles in varying form and degree of difficulty.  Throughout life, we all take turns struggling with essential items such as the economy, finances, jobs, relationships, health, etc.  And to survive the myriad of problems that are associated with these items, we really have to make the choice to live our lives in a superior way.  And we live life in a superior way by being our very best selves. 

 

 

I love that Rotary invites us to be our very best selves with the simple motto and challenge: “Service Above Self.”  As we adopt this phrase to each facet of our complicated lives, I know that we will find ourselves being and doing our very best.  In fact, we each will be super!  We will be better equipped to not just barely make it through our difficulties and challenges, but actually thrive in life despite them.  That is the power of Rotary and living “Service Above Self.”  And now more than ever, “Rotary Opens Opportunities” that will allow us to become even more super when we live “Service Above Self”!

 

Right now, we are facing unprecedented challenges in so many different facets of life.  Now more than ever, the world needs Rotary.  Our communities need Rotary.  And also, we need Rotary. 

 

 

Please accept my invitation during these difficult times to “Grow Rotary” in your life. This will enable us all to be able to better survive and thrive, as well as help others do the same.  That is the power of Rotary and the power that we will feel as we live life in such a super way. Rotarians are literally SURVIVORS!

 

Sincerely,