ANCIENT& not so ancient WISDOM
offering a weekly positive perspective

March 17, 2005

"To be without desire is to be content. But contentment is not happiness. And in contentment there is no progress.

 Happiness is to desire something, to work for it, and to obtain at least a part of it. In the pursuit of beloved labor the busy days pass cheerfully employed, and the still nights in peaceful sleep. 

For labor born of desire is not drudgery, but play. Success brings hope, hope inspires fresh desire, and desire gives zest to life and joy to labor. This is true whether your days be spent in the palaces of the powerful or in some little green byway of the world.

- Max Ehrmann (1872-1945)

Max Ehrmann was born in Terre Haute, Indiana on September 26, 1872. He graduated from De Pauw University in Greencastle, Indiana in 1894.

Upon graduation, Ehrmann studied law and philosophy at Harvard and edited The Rainbow, a national college fraternity magazine. He published his first book, A Farrago, in 1898.

Ehrmann returned to Terre Haute in 1898 and practiced law as Deputy States Attorney for two years. He became credit manager and attorney for his brother's manufacturing business until the age of 40 when he began writing full-time.

Although, he wrote over 20 books and pamphlets, his most acclaimed work is "Desiderata", which was originally published in 1927. He stated that he wrote it for himself, "because it counsels those virtues I felt myself most in need of."

Max Ehrmann, attorney turned philosopher-poet, died September 9, 1945.

There is amble opportunity to do all sorts of things - read email, search the web, watch the discovery channel or the history channel (I didn't know that chess was originally a Druid game), meet and greet, and network. These all take time - and our time is not forever. What is harder and requires focus and dedication is making the opportunity to 'pursue that beloved labor' that 'gives hope, desire, zest, and joy'. What is harder and requires commitment is pursuing that 'beloved labor' in a manner that provides joy for the journey and not just the result.

There are many paths to the end result - none is guaranteed. Whether it is a negotiation (do you fully disclose or withhold information), health (carbs or no carbs), or manage (guide or coerce), the ultimate decision must be one that provides you joy in the journey. It is not just that we strive for success, it is how we strive for success and are we comfortable in our choices. 

I mention the health issue because there are such a variety of options and guides as to what is healthy that it is obvious that the best decision is what works for you. I personally like carbs (and hot dogs). If I was a body builder, then I'd be making different choices. I'm not. I'm a just-for-fun-rugby-playing-surfer. If I was a pro-baseball player, I might be making even different decisions. I guess 'At the end of the day, how you feel about yourself and what you did?' is the question that must be answered.

I have a file of projects that I want to finish and books that need to be written. If my time ends today, I will not be happy or joyful. The question for me is 'what am I willing to do to pursue my beloved labor?' Sometimes I have a good answer and sometimes I don't. In today's world, it's a daily decision that is built around a plan that sometimes comes into conflict with other parts of life.

This Ancient (and not so ancient) Wisdom is dedicated to a friend's father, John Arthur Czulegdr  ( August 20 1924 – March 14, 2005). He did a good job pursuing his beloved labor.

Wishing you joy on your journey.

Sincerely,