Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Lets talk about Ambition...

Ambition.

When Fiona was a girl she dreamed of becoming a ballerina. She was good at dancing and worked hard at it. She suffered intense training and fasting for years. Did this lead to success? What do you think? How many successful ballerinas are there? And how many girls like Fiona are there? Was she happy?

When Edwin was a teenager he played the guitar and sing. He saw himself becoming a famous pop star. He bought expensive equipment. He formed a band. He played gigs. Did this lead to success? What do you think? How many singers make their names? How many boys like Edwin are there? Was he happy?

Estella was a very pretty girl who was encouraged to see herself as one day becoming a top model. She devoted all her teenage years to this ambition, thinking only of her figure, looks and fashion. Did she become a successful model? What do you think? How many models make it to the exclusive top? Was she happy?

As a boy Brandon dreamed of becoming a famous footballer. He imagined the glory and the fame and the cars and the clothes and all the rest. Like many other boys he worked hard at it. Did this lead to success? What do you think? How many footballers make even a decent living? Was he happy?

Fiona's friend just enjoyed dancing, Edwin had a friend who just enjoyed playing the organ, Estella had a friend who just liked to dress well and Brandon's friend just enjoyed playing football at the weekend. They are failures by the standards of Fiona and Edwin and Estella and Brandon. But since they do not have a big gap between who they are and who they want to be they are happy with their lives.

We need to understand the difference between pursuing a goal and obsessing over a goal. Sometimes its best to just try and do our very best to achive our goals and in case you fail...you'll know you have done your best with no regrets. Once fallen, does not mean forever fallen my friend. =)

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