Striving For Excellence: By Diran Avagyan

“But you are called to something higher: ‘Be perfect, as your Father in heaven is perfect.’”

— Matthew 5:48

Last year, Lifestream Blood Bank organized a drive at our hospital. I decided to donate my platelets and went to the designated area. Sitting on the armchair was my boss, Mark Witas, donating blood. As soon as he saw me, he said, “Diran, whatever you do, give your 100%, except when you give blood.” We both laughed.

Somehow, I remembered this anecdotal episode a few days ago when I heard the 100-year-old Japanese sushi master, Jiro Ono, speak at a ceremony where he was honored by the Governor of Tokyo on his 100th birthday. Jiro, the owner of a three-Michelin-star restaurant, shared that the secret of his longevity is continued work. “I will continue to work every day, even at one hundred,” he said.

Despite his advanced age, Jiro continues to give his 100%, not out of necessity or for reward, but simply because he loves his work.

Often, for various reasons—both objective and subjective—we grow tired of pushing forward. We become less productive, unmotivated, and disheartened. And when responsibility begins to feel like a burden and calling loses its meaning, we are tempted to quiet quit. The reasons that hold us back from doing our best are many. H.A.L.T.—hungry, angry, lonely, tired—are just a few of the triggers that can literally halt our progress.

Yet, as the crown jewel of God’s creation, we are called to something greater—to unleash our potential and to strive to become the best version of ourselves, always giving our 100% in all that we do, except when we give blood, because He has already shed His blood for us.

Therefore, let us excel in our respective fields and offer God the best we have, just as Abel did, not for recognition or reward, but out of love for God, for others, and for the work entrusted to us.