“Man gives you the award, but God gives you the reward.” - Denzel Washington
“The wise person doesn’t ask, ‘What have I achieved?” but rather, ‘What have I contributed?’” - Marianne Williamson
This last weekend, I had the opportunity to attend our annual Lions District 1J Convention in Carol Stream. I have been a Lion for the past 36 years, and I have attended this convention for over 30 years. This gathering is always a special event for me, in that I get an opportunity to meet my fellow Lions from over 50 clubs throughout the 1J district, as well as learning about the impact of Lionism throughout the state and at the national and international levels. There is also a secondary reason I attend, and that is to honor those who are noted for their outstanding contributions to their communities as well as their work with those in need throughout the state.
There are two major awards given at this event; the George Lazansky Humanitarian Award is named after District 1J’s first district governor, whose humanitarian contributions left a lasting impact on District 1J as well as the state of Illinois. The other award is titled the Jim and Joyce Davis Lifetime Achievement Award, and it is presented to Lions who have demonstrated their dedication to District 1J as well as to Lionism in general. This past weekend, I had the privilege of seeing our Darien Lion nominee, Lion Tony Gricus receive each of these rewards. Lion Tony has been a member of the Darien Lions Club for over 42 years, having served in all major positions, including club president. Lion Tony has dedicated himself to not only the success of our club but to enhancing the lives of residents in Darien and in the surrounding areas. Since I had the honor of nominating Lion Tony, it gave me great pleasure to see this very deserving Lion receive this recognition.
Individuals such as Lion Tony are driven by a sense of duty, a deep passion for what they do, and a commitment to making a meaningful difference. While recognition can be gratifying, to individuals like him, it is often secondary to the inherent pleasure of creating something lasting or enhancing the lives of others. For many, it is the intrinsic reward, the sense of fulfillment and purpose that drives their efforts. Moreover, each day, we are creating a legacy, whether we realize it or not. Our actions, decisions, and the way we engage with others will leave a lasting impression.
Authors James Kouzes and Barry Posner in the book “A Leader’s Legacy” state, “Your legacy is the life that you lead.” This succinctly captures the essence of how our legacies are shaped. Individuals such as Lion Tony don’t seek fame; for them, it is the way they live their lives, navigate challenges, and the mark they leave on others that truly matters. In the end, true achievement is found not in the applause we receive, but in the quiet satisfaction of knowing that we have done our best and live lives full of purpose. Congratulations Tony!