The punch line of a rather
unfunny sketch introduced to myself and two classmates, and through us, to our
entire tutor group, was "…. it is time amigos" (bad Mexican accent obligatory).
At this command, the three of us, seated on a desk top, would re-cross our legs
the opposite way we had been siting. Without exception this proved the closest
I ever came to displaying any talent with regard to the stage. It was in fact
my only foray into the ‘glare’ of the public spot light throughout my entire time
at secondary school. A lesson learnt by experience. Conscious choice that. Fear
of failure..?
Acting. Singing. Writing. Art. Are these the most difficult professions to break
into? Is it fair to say that the perseverance that it takes to become able to
even just make a living out of any of these four jobs represents more of challenge
than anything else? Yet then we can hold up the position of Politician, or Doctor,
and taking it further, any job or position that stretches you. If you dream of
being a middle level administrator, but lack the qualifications, study 14 hours
a day at night school, who am I to take away the value of your achievement?
We look to positions in the public eye as being the most difficult to obtain,
and perhaps they are. However, working as hard as you can to achieve something,
no matter how much it can be belittled by other (ignorant and misguided) people
(including this author at times) it is still as important. Yet turning this concept
on its head. What if life never presents challenges?
Would a rose by any other name smell as sweet? The answer to Shakespeare’s rhetorical
question is supposed to be a resounding no. Moving the context around though,
would a single rose smell as sweet in a field of roses? Technically, surely it
would - our chemical/physical reaction to the rose should be the same. Yet the
single rose is lost in a sea of other roses. It is simple economics that it loses
its value. Diamonds would be worthless if they were common. Ditto gold. So does
achievement have the same value subjective quality? Educationally, having a degree
in a peer group educated to A levels is surely more of an achievement than having
the same in a peer group who all have PhDs.
We can extend this to jobs. Does it simply matter who you compare yourself with,
or should one only compete with oneself? Not to put too finer point on it, how
do you know what you have achieved is great unless you put it into context. When
I run, the fact that my heart pounds, and I gasp for breath means I am working
hard. If I push myself until I collapse I know the limits of my body. Therefore
I know when I am working out hard. The same simply cannot apply to cognitive non-physical
achievement. Only a fool (on a hill) would suggest that only those who have had
nervous breakdowns are being true to themselves.
Do you keep setting challenges, keep striving until you reach your goal. What
then..? set a higher goal? Give up. What if you were happier thinking you could
do better. Why take the risk. Is not anticipation half the fun? What does it mean
to be a success. Can only you answer that? I don’t want to change the world, should
I? It’s A Wonderful Life. Quantum Leap. Non-space sci-fi at its best. The hero,
Sam, (for those heathens not familiar with the series) leaps around in time, changing
history, for the better. In the final, tear-welling (?) and thought provoking
(?!?) the good he is doing is explained to him by the notion his actions touching
people, who’s lives touched others, and thus the effect continued. Use the notion
of pebbles spreading ripples in the ocean if it helps. Can this be used to argue
that no matter what you do with your life, as long as you help others, its a success?
Yeah. Tell that to my bank manager (who incidentally exists merely as some temp
in a large call centre in Liverpool who will not tell me my bank balance until
I tell him the square root of 7921, or something equally as meaningless). You’ll
get your just rewards in the next life (either in heaven or through your reincarnated
form). Okay. I’ll just hug this tree. I’m to selfish. Having decided that money
is not everything (honest!), alas, rather than now dedicating my life to world
peace, or something noble, erm, I’m going for happiness. Naturally with the proviso
of helping others along the way (of course).
So what is the meaning of life. How should I live my life? Who is my judge? Pick
someone who you believe is a good benchmark, and compare with them? Should I read
eastern philosophy and set "personal goals"? (I didn’t study Management Science!).
Should I just know - like being in love (cop out). No one ever knows. Sock it
to the man (whatever that means). You may be a rose, and it may be a really, really,
big field. If at the end of the day you can look at yourself in the mirror and
not think you can do better… well, either you’ve achieved your own nirvana, or
you’re lazy. Either way, at least you’ve still got the mirror.
"Can’t get there from here" eh Michael?
And I feel fine.
!!
READ MORE BOOKS !!
Back to main index
