Par excellence
Nothing could be more tragic than a singular talent, carelessly discarded. If we are possessed of a strong sense of achievement, not simply ambition, but the propriety and splendour of accomplishment, we are well on the path to excellence. Mercurial, elusory, intangible, excellence is a state or condition many seek, few achieve. Is it a destination we should all strive to reach, a gift of nature afforded to some, or an accident that the serendipitous stumble upon? Some define it as an ever growing process of an indefatigable pursuit for perfection. Perfection is unattainable, but excellence is a never ending road that can lead to that euphoric state of achievement. Those of us who can, do! The rest of us watch with deference and reverence, mindless of the fact that we too may possess similar powers.
This space and this pen have been dedicated to the exposure of such excellence by men and women in every walk of life. While the arts may take precedence in refining and elevating the human spirit, we also salute excellence in science, sports, politics, business, medicine, technology, et al. Little room is allowed for criticism or disparagement unless it pertains to the unconscionable demeaning of human beings and human rights. The selection of the subject, events, and individuals, is admittedly not free of personal bias, Still, paying tribute is always the final aim, even if it is not always reached. Excellence is not restricted to the high and mighty, or to the rich and famous. Its achievement is to be applauded wherever it may be found. We are reminded of what the late Martin Luther King Jr said about the subject: "If a man is called to be a streetsweeper, even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry, he should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, 'here lived a great sweeper who did his job well.'"
Granted we cannot cheer every streetsweeper, because he has not achieved fame, but he may have well achieved excellence.
Pursuing our own individual vision of excellence, is the key to a better life, indeed a better life for all humans. Yet how many among us engage in such a pursuit! How many of us resolutely, regularly and religiously try to do better, try to do more, every day of our lives? According to one study in the US, only 25 per cent of workers perform at full potential, the factor that discerns the ordinary from the extraordinary. Sixty per cent confessed that they did less than they did in the past, and 75 per cent admitted they were not doing their best. Mediocrity is rampant, why not excellence?
Is it a duty incumbent on men and women of all ranks to perform their best? Is it an honourable task to give of themselves all they can give to benefit themselves and ultimately others?
Rambling on about this subject of excellence was inspired by the barrage of critical and public acclaim for the latest effort of one performer, namely John Travolta. His appearance in the screen version of the 1988 John Waters Broadway hit musical Hairspray, has once again resuscitated the career of a middle- aged moderate talent, who seems incapable of being KO' d. Time and time again, Travolta climbs out of the dark pit of defeat to reach the sky and triumph in the limelight of success. Admittedly I am no fan of John Travolta -- not as a dancing stud in the 1970s or 1980s ( Saturday Night Fever, Urban Cowboy), not even in his highly acclaimed heavy thug role as Vincent Vega in Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction (1994), and not in any of the dozens of films that followed. Perhaps this is a sound declaration of why he was never featured in this column. Yet how can one ignore this 53-year-old overweight, less than exciting or highly talented performer, whose ebbs and flows are so numerous they could empty and fill an ocean.
During the 1980s, Hollywood considered Travolta "finished", "washed up", "wiped out". A decade later he bounced back bigger and better than ever. He presented a new version to a public that seemed to adore whatever he had to offer. Earning up to $20 million per picture, mostly portraying villains in colourless, fair to middling productions, producers still came back for more, and more, of Travolta. Why? Writes critic Richard Corliss: "he is so well liked that fans automatically edit out the discordant aspects of his life and work." In Hairspray, those diehard fans are in for a big surprise. This is a Travolta they have never envisioned. Without fear of disapproval Travolta dons this fleshy suit, black wig, and mile-long lashes of femme fatale Edna Turnblad. Travolta in drag -- more desirable, more alluring than any Tootsie, or Mrs Doubtfire. He even dances to the lead of that irrepressible Oscar-winning actor Christopher Walken, who plays Edna's adoring husband. Rather than raised eyebrows critics are heaping congratulations and adulation.
It is common thought to express astonishment at this good old Irish-Italian Catholic boy, who embraces a strange religious cult, becoming a devoted member of the Church of Scientology. But there is neither astonishment nor contempt, reserved only for others. There seems to be unanimity of approval for Travolta whether he is up or down, in or out, good or bad, hero or villain, man or woman.
Does Travolta wake up every morning and persuade himself that he will be better, do better, feel better than he did the day before. Could there exist in some of us a superior principle of reflection or conscience which passes judgement upon ourselves, our performance and our potential? Must we taste pain to reach the ultimate pleasure and depth of satisfaction of a job well done? Is it that drive, that solace of the soul, that is afforded us when we feast our eyes on the canvas of a great artist, or the revival of a great survivor?
Well done Travolta! By extending your powers and your inner strength you have not only increased your joys and ours, but shown us that it is alright to stumble and fall as long as you rise again and continue your journey on the road to excellence!
The best is the enemy of the good
-- Voltaire, François-Marie Arouet (1694-1778)Caption: John Travolta keeps coming back
C a p t i o n : John Travolta keeps coming back
Al-Ahram Weekly Online : Located at: http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2007/856/pe2.htm