‘How’ matters.
The ‘what’ is certainly meaningful, but the ‘how’ is deterministic.
For we define nearly everything by ‘how’ we execute it. It is not a swim, but the 100m butterfly or breast stroke, not a coffee but pour-over or a k-cup, and let’s not forget the debate of fried versus grilled chicken. ‘How’ matters.
Furthermore, the ‘how’ of what we do can completely unravel the significance of ‘what’ we did. If for example we won a race, but did so by means of cheating, our victory would ultimately be negated. We would lose not only the prestige of the win, but our character perception would also diminish.
Conversely, the ‘how’ can also salvage disappointing results. I think of the dramatized Jamaican Bobsled Team in Cool Runnings carrying their bobsled across the finish line after having crashed and lost out on their chance at an Olympic medal. The ‘how’ of their finish endeared them not only to their community back home, but to the whole of the sporting world as well.
This ‘how’, however is not limited to the world of sports but directly applies to our everyday lives as well. For ‘how’ we interact with our families, friends, and co-workers generally has a greater, if not at least commensurate, impact on our trajectory than the tasks themselves we complete. The key to these interactions as we’ve come to understand them is engaging with love. As Paul illustrates, without love, our efforts are in vain.
“If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.”
In other words, our actions are meaningless if they aren’t done with love. And I think we’ve all witnessed this. For there is a notable difference in our spouse’s reaction if we do something as simple as take the trash out begrudgingly and complain throughout the process, vice do so cheerfully. The trash is taken out in both instances, but in the former you may also find yourself on the outs. ‘How' matters.
And what a wonderful ‘how’ love is. For love’s humility, patience, and kindness are aspects we could all use more of in our lives. Their mere presence deescalating tension and extolling peace. We have learned that regardless of end state, if our ‘how’ is love we will ultimately come out ahead. May we keep this simple truth in mind always.