DILETTANTE
Most individuals work, pay taxes, support a family and die. That is what I call the average class. Average never interested me. I think, I prefer to be dead than average. When you pay to see a Broadway show, do you expect to see an average performance? When you pay to see a professional sports team, do you expect to see an average game? When you visit a five star steak house, do you expect to have an average meal, served with average servers? When you embed character in your children's lives, do you advise them to be average? You get my point. Average is a terrible way to describe someone, something, someplace or some event. It is not a memorable experience. That is why the best individuals in any field get the most recognition, which usually leads to an abundant lifestyle. We do not like paying to see average, but many do it regardless. So would you want to live an average life? I believe that many individuals chose average because it's easier. They do not have to work as hard. William James, Psychologist once wrote, "If you only care enough for a result, you will almost certainly attain it. If you wish to be rich, you will be rich. If you wish to be learned, you will be learned. If you wish to be good, you will be good. Only you must then really wish these things and, wish them exclusively. And, not wish at the same time a hundred other incompatible things just as strongly."
That was well put but, I would add that you need not just the wish but a commitment to whatever it is that interests you. A commitment so powerful that you are willing to give anything up for it. Almost like an addiction. You need a commitment to be focused and consumed with accomplishing your goal. The problem as I see it, is that many individuals have wishes but no commitment to follow it up with. I remember when I committed to going to law school, I was willing to pay the price to accomplish by goal of becoming an attorney. It was not easy but I could care less about how difficult it was because I was 100% committed. Socially, I was paralyzed for three and a half years while I was in law school but, that did not deter me. If it did, then maybe I did not want it bad enough. I remember listening to an interview once of the great hall of fame baseball player Reggie Jackson and he was asked " do you regret not marrying and raising a family while you were playing baseball?" And his response was "No, I was committed to my career." The price that he was willing to pay was not marrying and having children. And, that is exactly what he paid in exchange for his hall of fame career. You have to be clear of what you want. Stay focused and committed and Just do it.
Anybody can do this. But, not many have that type of commitment and willingness to forgo all the temptations that life has to offer on the climb up the ladder of success. In addition, most individuals are what I call dilettante. A dilettante is defined as a person who cultivates an area of interest, such as the arts, without real commitment or knowledge. Most people dabble in this or that but in reality they have no real commitment. As long as they have a roof over their heads, and they can support their families, that is enough for them. That sounds to me to be an average life. If that is what they chose, and they are happy, then they are successful. That is not the type of lifestyle for me. I leave you with a poem on point;
Until one is committed there is hesitancy,
the chance to draw back, always
ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of
initiative and creation. There is one
elementary truth, the ignorance of which
kills countless ideas and splendid plans.
That the moment one definitely
commits oneself, then providence moves
too. All sorts of things occur to help
one that would never otherwise
have occurred. A whole stream of
events issues from the decision, raising
in one's favour all manner of unforeseen
incidents and meeting and material
assistance, which no man could have
dreamt would have come his way.
I have learned a deep respect for one of
Goethe's couplets, whatever you can do
or dream you can begin it. Boldness
has genius, power and magic in it.
W.N. Murray 1951
Just a thought
That was well put but, I would add that you need not just the wish but a commitment to whatever it is that interests you. A commitment so powerful that you are willing to give anything up for it. Almost like an addiction. You need a commitment to be focused and consumed with accomplishing your goal. The problem as I see it, is that many individuals have wishes but no commitment to follow it up with. I remember when I committed to going to law school, I was willing to pay the price to accomplish by goal of becoming an attorney. It was not easy but I could care less about how difficult it was because I was 100% committed. Socially, I was paralyzed for three and a half years while I was in law school but, that did not deter me. If it did, then maybe I did not want it bad enough. I remember listening to an interview once of the great hall of fame baseball player Reggie Jackson and he was asked " do you regret not marrying and raising a family while you were playing baseball?" And his response was "No, I was committed to my career." The price that he was willing to pay was not marrying and having children. And, that is exactly what he paid in exchange for his hall of fame career. You have to be clear of what you want. Stay focused and committed and Just do it.
Anybody can do this. But, not many have that type of commitment and willingness to forgo all the temptations that life has to offer on the climb up the ladder of success. In addition, most individuals are what I call dilettante. A dilettante is defined as a person who cultivates an area of interest, such as the arts, without real commitment or knowledge. Most people dabble in this or that but in reality they have no real commitment. As long as they have a roof over their heads, and they can support their families, that is enough for them. That sounds to me to be an average life. If that is what they chose, and they are happy, then they are successful. That is not the type of lifestyle for me. I leave you with a poem on point;
Until one is committed there is hesitancy,
the chance to draw back, always
ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of
initiative and creation. There is one
elementary truth, the ignorance of which
kills countless ideas and splendid plans.
That the moment one definitely
commits oneself, then providence moves
too. All sorts of things occur to help
one that would never otherwise
have occurred. A whole stream of
events issues from the decision, raising
in one's favour all manner of unforeseen
incidents and meeting and material
assistance, which no man could have
dreamt would have come his way.
I have learned a deep respect for one of
Goethe's couplets, whatever you can do
or dream you can begin it. Boldness
has genius, power and magic in it.
W.N. Murray 1951
Just a thought