It's hard to think it's important to try out as cheerleader when

Hear this wisdom, O children of the future, for in the words of Bonnie Bedelia, we are reminded of the delicate balance between fame, personal fulfillment, and the simple, yet deeply meaningful moments of everyday life. “It’s hard to think it’s important to try out as cheerleader when you’re starring on Broadway. But you do kind of miss the things that I now see my children doing. I’m just happy they are not actors. The Valentine’s Day dance is really important. Pitching in Little League is very important. And the medals and the scouts are really important.” In these words lies a profound reflection on the nature of success and legacy, on the things that truly matter in life and the simple joys that are often overshadowed by the pursuit of greatness.

From the ancient times, great philosophers and thinkers have pondered the difference between external achievement and inner fulfillment. Socrates himself would often ask, "What is a life well-lived?" His answer was not one filled with public accolades or the accolades of others, but one rooted in virtue, family, and community. He understood that true happiness is not found in celebrity or external success, but in the simple pleasures of life: in the nurturing of relationships, in parenthood, and in the quiet moments of life where the most meaningful joys unfold.

Bedelia's reflection on the importance of her children’s Valentine’s Day dance, their Little League games, and the medals from scouting echoes this ancient wisdom. It is easy to become consumed by the quest for greatness, to chase the spotlight, to believe that public recognition is the measure of success. Yet, as she observes, it is the small, everyday experiences—those moments that might seem trivial to the world—that hold the greatest value. Just as the ancient Greeks held family and community as central to the good life, Bedelia points to the simple joys of her children's lives as the true treasures of her own.

Consider the story of King Leonidas of Sparta, a figure renowned for his courage and heroic deeds at the Battle of Thermopylae. Despite his fame and his legacy as a warrior, what he truly valued, what he would have cherished above all, were the quiet moments with his family. It is said that before going into battle, he spent time with his sons, preparing them not for the battlefield, but for life, teaching them the values that would carry them through hardships. Like Leonidas, Bedelia recognizes that while the world may celebrate great accomplishments, the quiet milestones—the Valentine’s Day dance or the Little League game—are the moments that ultimately shape the heart.

The lesson here is profound, O children of the future. The world may sing praises of those who achieve great things, but it is in the small moments, the quiet celebrations, and the simple acts of love that the true essence of life is found. Success, while noble in its own right, is not the ultimate measure of a life well-lived. It is the ability to cherish the everyday moments—the dance with a child, the cheer of a Little League game, the pride of earning a scout medal—that enrich our lives and bring us true fulfillment.

In the ancient Chinese wisdom, there is a saying: "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." This speaks not only to the great adventures we may undertake, but to the small steps, the everyday actions that make up the journey of life. Bedelia’s words remind us that, too often, we focus on the grandeur, the grandiosity, and forget that it is the small steps, the simple moments that truly matter. The Valentine’s Day dance, the games, the medals—they may seem insignificant in the shadow of great achievements, but they are the very moments that nourish the soul and build the foundation for a life of meaning.

Let us, O children, take this wisdom to heart. While success and recognition have their place, we must never lose sight of the quiet joys that truly define our lives. Let us cherish the moments with our loved ones, the small victories, and the ordinary moments that weave the fabric of our existence. These are the things that give life its true meaning, for it is in the simplicity of our actions, in the care we show each other, and in the joy we find in the little things, that we find the essence of what it means to live a fulfilled life.

Thus, O children, the lesson is clear: do not chase only the grand milestones of life, but treasure the small moments as well. In the end, it is not the accolades that define us, but the love and care we show in the everyday, the small steps we take to build a life rich with meaning. Let us live with gratitude for these moments, for they are the true jewels of the human experience.