John Jay Chapman, quoted in W.H. Auden, A Certain World: A Commonplace Book. New York: Viking, 1970, pp 192-3.
The men and women who make the best boon companions seem to have given up hope of doing something else. They have, perhaps, tried to be poets or painters; they have tried to be actors, scientists and musicians. But some defect of talent or opportunity has cut them off from their pet ambition and has left them with leisure to take an interest in the lives of others. Your ambitious man is selfish. No matter how secret his ambition may be, it makes him keep his thoughts at home. But the heartbroken people -- if I may use the word in a mild benevolent sense -- the people whose wills are subdued to fate, give us consideration, recognition and welcome.
2 comments:
Sometimes we may feel guilty that we are not doing more to “save the world.” However, this may not be what God wants from us. Chapman points out that grand ambitions may be at odds with being fully present to those around us and that the people who renounce grand ambitions, either voluntarily or involuntarily, may become the most loving. When do we follow our dreams and when do we let go of them to live in humility? We can ask God in prayer what our path is meant to be.
Loving God, I offer up to you in prayer my dreams and ambitions, my discouragement and despair. Help me to know which ambitions may come from you, filling me with energy to do your work, and which ones are pulling me away from you. Help me to listen for your voice.
Godess, Please use my broken heart mildly and benevolently in the service of compassion, interest and caring for otheres, not neglecting my own needs and desires but in balance with Your will for us all, which I perceive to be peace. Awomen.
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