Exceptional Excellence
I came up with the phrase Exceptional Excellence a few years
ago. I needed to define a venture that I founded. My venture is called STRIVE
for Exceptional Excellence. I started striveforexceptionalexellence.com in
2018. A program focusing on inclusion and diversity. STRIVE for Exceptional
Excellence supports different abilities in the workplace; I shortened the name
to Exceptional Excellence in 2022. I
think of the phrase Exceptional Excellence as being like a coin. Coins look
different on each side; however, they possess the same value. A quarter has a picture
of George Washington on one side. It has an eagle on the other side. Nevertheless,
both sides are still worth 25 cents. To me, Exceptional is one side of a coin
and Excellence is the other side of the same coin. If a person is characterized
as being exceptional that means they are unique. It’s that uniqueness that
makes them excellence… correct?
I also thought about
my son when I “coined” (Get It “coined”) the phase Exceptional Excellence. My
son is autistic. My son’s autism exudes a flair of uniqueness. It doesn’t lessen
his worth/or value. My son is Exceptional, and he is Excellence! I can’t imagine him being any other way. As a
child, he could recite every line in his favorite movies. I still remember the day that his little
sister dropped a gallon of Kool-Aid on my newly mopped floor. My son used a single
paper towel to clean up that mess! Literally and figuratively speaking. I couldn’t help but laugh watching him drag
that poor paper towel across that pool of red Kool-Aid. How could I get mad at my daughter
when her brother was exhibiting such an act of kindness? He is an adult. He is
the gentlest gentleman I know. He remembers to get my workbag everyday and puts
it in the car. If I attempt to carry it myself. My son will say, “mom I got it!”
“I can carry it for you!” My son’s voice is monotone. His voice doesn’t rise even
when his day wasn’t the greatest. About a year ago my son was scammed. Some FOOL
used his bank card. They withdrew all his money. The bank reimbursed his funds.
My son stayed calm throughout the entire incident. If that was me being scammed,
I would have used my arsenal of profanities until my money was replaced
(probably even after the money was returned)
Society is made up of people with different abilities. My
son can drive but I can’t (ok the secret is out - I am a nondriver ) We aren’t the same and that’s ok. Exceptional
Excellence is the idea that being different is what makes us great! Exceptional
is defined as being unusual, uncommon, or atypical. Excellence is defined as being
outstanding or extremely good. Together they can help to characterize a person’s
uncommon qualities. People with different abilities are Exceptionally
Excellence!
Keep STRIVE-ing 
