Driven

Imagine a world where everyone, every day, aspired to be better than they were the day before.

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When King Edward I was near death, and had not yet defeated Scotland, he declared his bones be brought to the final battlefield he so he could be present at the victory he determined inevitable. Death be dammed, he was driven to succeed.

Alexander the Great felt much the same when he set out in his twenties to conquer the entire known world.

St. Francis of Assisi was no less driven when he renounced the wealthy life to which he was born in order to live in simple poverty and service to the poor.

Conquers, visionaries, artists, poets, and resolute men of all sorts throughout time have been driven to extraordinary acts by their commitment to triumphs most of us admire, but would prefer to leave to someone else.

Me, too.

I just don't have the energy or ambition required. I'm more minded to insightful musings followed by lunch and good whiskey. I'm grateful for the great works of great men. I'm glad someone is taking care of important business. I'm nearly as glad that it isn't me.

Is that wrong?

We're all encouraged to follow our dreams, strive for excellence, and reach for the stars. I don't have any dreams. I'm inclined to think of excellence as theoretical, and I've never had any desire to reach for the stars. I'm perfectly happy if I exceed mediocracy. Rising above mediocracy is more than most achieve. It's no small goal.

Hemingway said the supreme aspiration is to be better than your previous self. He didn't say you need to be much better. A little better is better than no better at all. Imagine a world where everyone, every day, aspired to be better than they were the day before.

For example, if someone cuts you off in traffic you needn't waste energy on futile anger. Instead, drive on, happy that the psychosis of the rude isn't yours.

Could the aspiration of a world-shaker really do more good?

Being better than you were, is also a realistic goal. It's within the reach of the weak, and the discouraged alike. The willpower required is modest. Anyone can manage it.

Mighty works may seem unimaginably beyond reach. Modest improvement is as close as tomorrow.

We are right to admire the heroes who reach for the stars. It's exhausting and all too often dangerous or impoverishing work, with no assurance of success. Only the mad, the devoted, or inspired attempt glorious improbabilities. I honor all the driven people May there always be such people. They deserve the glory gained.

With daily effort to be better than we were, we could all gain a little glory.

By K. L. Shipley

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