A life without ambition, drive and purpose is a listless life. However, more often than not we are given to hear the running down, or rather the outright condemnation of ambition. We are told by moral teachers that it is the ego in us that drives ambition. And that, it is not good for the soul to be thus ambitious! We are also told that it is pride which we are feeding, if we are ambitious. We are even told to be bereft of desire. We are told to live for a higher purpose. Then, I would question- are we not put on this temporal plane for a purpose. Simply put, are we not to enjoy life? Find fruition for our creative juices? Indeed, as we all know, ambition carries with it its own weight. The higher the ambition the greater will be the pressure and the struggle. If you want to capture the country you will have to go to the ends of it. If you want to capture continents then similar will have to be your enterprise, if you want to capture the world? Then you will have to go to the lengths of the earth! But then that is the price to pay! And one is willing for it. For there is the prize at the end of it. Come to think of it, nothing comes without a price.
Many have been the endeavours throughout known history. There have been saints who have sought ecstasy of the spirit, while there have been pursuers of the pleasures of the flesh. The notorious Casanova is an example! There have been warriors of different shades and hue who have been in the search for fulfilment which conquest might bring. But, at the end of the day the purpose of each has been to taste a piece of the concept of paradise. Many have hurt, injured, maimed. Nay! Many have been killed even at the altar of ambition. But humankind has not surrendered. And the fight goes on for a little piece of heaven! I do not condemn, neither do I condone {ambition}!All I can say is carry on. Amen!
Edward Lotha
