We can fall into the cycle of driving toward goals, ideals, careers, jobs, and dreams that become all-consuming. Too often, these same aspirations are not of our own will but instead those spurred on by others, many well-meaning or else self-serving. The boss who does not want you to leave, a parent with the best intentions, the forces of our close circle.
Worse still is when there is little of one’s thought. Ask anyone, “do you love your work,’ and ‘why do you do it?’ How often will you hear no, and for financial reasons? Yet, they endure. They surrender to this struggle and emptiness.
Regardless of why we are in this specific situation or trajectory that brings us little joy, we should pause. What is the motivation here? If a compelling reason is not apparent, it may be time to quit this cycle. We begin to see differently when we surrender to the surrender and no longer pursue that battle that was never ours. Instead, we take on a purpose of our own, one with meaning and depth, that positively consumes our thought and energy. Surrendering will provide clarity, not necessarily of where we are going but, as importantly, of what we are not doing. It may even be more demanding, yet it will undoubtedly be more invigorating.
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Last night in New York City, I was privileged to experience the debut of Bono’s Songs of Surrender, a collection of songs as the base of his new memoir and book tour. Bono lyrically states we all have a purpose that we need to pursue, and often we do not realize it. We must seek and dogmatically persevere since we have a unique currency we need to use well. This applies to individuals, organizations, communities, and even nations. Yet, how often do we resist or dismiss what is evident to many, both the good and the bad?
If we surrender to the meaningless cycle we endure and assume the commitment we choose, maybe we can stop and look and say to ourselves, ‘Oh, you look so beautiful tonight,’ not as a baritone but possibly the tenor you are.
