ABSTRACT
Longfellow’s words capture an ethos that embodies unwavering commitment to excel-
lence, even if no one might possibly notice-except perhaps the unforgiving gods of
one’s conscience. They speak of persons who strive not simply to do their best, but to
continually raise the bar. They become individuals whose mastery within a practice
makes them admirable, even exemplary. Their superb performances and wise judgment
establish them as masters we rightly refer to as models of excellence. Moreover, these
enactors-persons who craft new ways of being and doing-are inspiring paragons of
what may be possible on a deeper existential sense that plays a key role in human
communities. Skillful Striving investigates the nature of this cultivation of excellence, the
conditions that render it possible, and its potential for inspiration from the perspective
of enactive wisdom-one that by enacting lays down a way or path. Performative
endeavors whose telos centrally involves physical performance-sports, martial and per-
forming arts, crafts-—are privileged ways for a holistic cultivation of our talents and
limitations.
