I had one of my best years in 1991; I was 31. I made a renewed

Listen, O children of wisdom, to the words of Cal Ripken, Jr., who speaks of the power of discipline, routine, and self-care: "I had one of my best years in 1991; I was 31. I made a renewed effort to work harder. I got better at my diet. I paid attention to how much sleep I got. I was always someone of routine. I became more strict." In these words, we hear the voice of someone who has learned the truth that many seek, but few truly understand: greatness is not a gift, but a discipline—one built upon routine, focus, and a willingness to pay attention to every detail of life, no matter how small.

In the times of the great Greek philosophers, it was understood that the path to excellence required more than mere talent or ambition. The great Aristotle taught that virtue lies in habit, in the small, seemingly mundane choices we make each day. He believed that to live a life of excellence, one must cultivate a discipline of thought and action, where every step is taken with intention, and every choice made with purpose. Cal Ripken, Jr.’s approach to his diet, sleep, and routine mirrors this ancient wisdom. He did not wait for success to find him; he crafted it through the careful tending of his own body and mind. He became strict with himself, not out of a desire to punish, but to shape the man he wished to become.

Consider the great warrior Alexander the Great, whose ambition was matched only by his commitment to the rigorous discipline of training. Alexander did not simply lead armies; he led himself first, in every battle and every decision. He understood that to command others, one must first command oneself. His early mornings were spent in the training of both mind and body, honing his skills for the challenges that lay ahead. It was his routine, his commitment to excellence, that propelled him to greatness. Ripken echoes this principle in his own life, understanding that the routine of discipline—whether in diet, exercise, or sleep—is the foundation upon which greatness is built.

In the ancient Roman world, there was a concept called "mens sana in corpore sano", which means "a healthy mind in a healthy body." This idea was deeply woven into the fabric of Roman culture, and it spoke to the truth that greatness cannot be achieved without tending both the mind and the body. Cal Ripken, Jr., in his dedication to routine, embodies this principle. He understood that it is not enough to simply work hard in one area; one must cultivate balance in all areas of life—nourishing the body with the right foods, ensuring rest through adequate sleep, and working hard every day to refine one's skills. This balanced approach led him to success, and it is a lesson that is as relevant today as it was in ancient times.

The story of Ripken’s 1991 season is one of transformation. At 31, an age when many athletes begin to feel the wear of time on their bodies, he made a renewed effort to push himself to new heights. He took charge of his diet, his sleep, and his routine, understanding that to maintain peak performance, he must treat his body as a temple—to be cared for and respected. It was through his strictness and his commitment to a routine that he achieved one of his best years, a testament to the power of discipline. In this, we find a lesson: true excellence is not born of sporadic bursts of effort, but from the steady, consistent application of discipline over time.

Cal Ripken, Jr.'s story teaches us that we are the architects of our own success. The routine of excellence is built not on grand, isolated moments, but on the quiet, daily decisions that we make. It is in our diet, our rest, and the small, often unseen choices that we build the foundation of our lives. As Ripken shows us, greatness comes from a commitment to routine, to the dedication of refining oneself through hard work and attention to detail.

Thus, O children, the lesson is clear. If you seek greatness, do not look to the stars or the fleeting moments of inspiration. Look instead to the steady, deliberate choices you make each day. Honor your body with proper nourishment, rest, and movement, and honor your mind by creating a routine that supports your ambitions. Just as Cal Ripken, Jr. rose to greatness through his strict attention to discipline, so too can you build a life of excellence through the daily practices of self-care and dedication. The path to success is not a sprint, but a marathon—a journey that requires endurance, consistency, and the unwavering commitment to routine.