The question of the day today asks whether I’m living my ambition or living my life. It was thought-provoking enough to attempt expounding upon in a post.
This is mainly because the way I look at the question, it’s almost as palpable as a felt board presentation in sunday school. “Ambition” and “life” could each be represented by felt circles of varying sizes, one could be contained inside (engulfed by) the other. Or they could overlap, side-by-side. The mass of one might be identical to or completely different from the other.
I choose life over ambition. The amount of felt material used for “life,” I would feel, far surpasses that used for “ambition.” Do we not see value when our lives speaks to many facets? Ambition is good for motivation, y’see, but there is no perspective within which to enjoy the fruits of that ambition without the context of life.
To me, blind ambition is like willingly putting the side blinders on (rather literal, I know) to effect tunnel vision. Or putting all your eggs in the wicker basket which is something I’ve never been keen on doing (whether it’s because I can’t hold focus on one thing if my life depended on it is a whole other matter). It’s like being known for going all in on a bad hand.
Ambition is a good card to have in your deck, but if it’s the only one you will eventually get called out for not having more in your arsenal.
When you live your life, you gather tools along the way which you perfect and sharpen to be used later. You develop a skillset, hone it and perfect it over time. Ambition is static and when everything is centered around that, you will undoubtedly become better at that one thing but you become closed to other opportunities, even if it’s better for you. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to recognize it because you’re so focused on this one thing as an end all to rule your life.
For what will it profit a man to gain the whole world but lose his soul? (Mark 8:36)
After all, a golddigger has ambition.
5 Comments
Good question… What about life having a singular purpose though?
I should really answer my own question. I think you’ve given me some inspiration to answer it.
I find them to be the same thing. There are , and I’m guessing here, just as many people who on their death beds wish they had followed their ambition as there are wishing they had spent more time with their family.
As for now my ambition is my life and they can not be separated. I appreciate all views however.
It’s fascinating that for a lot of us, ambition, especially blind ambition, has such a negative connotation. Especially in the States, maybe it has something to do with wanting to believe that we live in a meritocracy: that if you’re truly gifted and deserving, you’ll have your day and popular regard, and you won’t need cut-throat ambition to get there. It’s certainly a more comforting world to believe in.
@Daniel: Good question. It’s feasible; but at this point in my life not personally. That’s not to say it will never happen or that I won’t get to that point where I decide that I exist on this planet for one main purpose.
I think the question then comes up as to how far are you willing to go (compromise oneself) when you decide that it comes down to that one purpose? Ambition might still be a flat character trait.
@Edrei: I’ll be checking for your response.
@cooper: Indeed, ambition could be looked at more roundly than I’ve addressed which is admittedly from a negative standpoint (as Lexybeast mentions). To have drive is a good thing, of course. I guess it follows, then, that you ask to what extent you’re willing to take things for the sake of ambition, for instance if other people are in the way. Thanks for coming by!
@Lexybeast: I guess that’s it, then … the blind part. Interesting you mention “meritocracy.” I think a popular example might be money. How important is money to you? It’s definitely necessary in society - it’s a tool, it’s necessary for the exchange of goods and services. So if you are ambitious for money what would you do to get it if that is the end result of your ambition?