Fair or Right?

“The right to do something does not mean that doing it is right.”

-- William Saffire, Pulitzer Prize winner and long time NY Times columnist

In the late 1960’s, Bill Guilfoile was named public relations director for the Pittsburgh Pirates. On his first day on the job, a well-known sports writer requested Bill to set up an interview with Roberto Clemente.  Bill approached Clemente, introduced himself, and relayed the interview request.

Clemente reacted with a passionate three-minute outburst!  He obviously had had a major falling out with the writer, which everyone, except the new PR director, knew.  Clemente, perhaps rightly so, felt the sports writer did not deserve an interview after what he had previously done to Clemente.  But when you focus on giving people what they deserve, you can lose sight of doing what is right.

Clemente’s rant ended, he regained his composure, and asked Bill if it would help if he did the interview.  Bill said it would, and Roberto said, “Then I will do it,” and he did. 

Is there someone in your life who does not deserve all you can potentially give?  Seek them out and give them something they don’t deserve.  It may not change them, but it will likely change you.