A Successful Life
When I was 10 years old I wanted to be the governor of Maryland. This might seem like an unusual goal for a boy from Los Angeles, but my mother had recently taken my sister and me to visit relatives on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, and I was enchanted by the area. When I shared my plan with my mother, she agreed it was a worthy ambition.
I asked her if she had ever wanted to do big things or be somebody important. She smiled and said no, she was happy with who she was. I was disappointed, and a bit incredulous. I couldn’t understand how someone would choose a mundane life completely lacking in ambition. As the years passed, my dream of being Maryland’s governor was replaced by other objectives, but the ambition did not abate. I wanted to succeed, accomplish things and reach the pinnacle of my profession. However, as I grew older, I began to see the value of my mother’s perspective. The things she valued–love, family, compassion and service–seemed more valid and enduring than personal achievements. Over time, my disdain for a life lacking in personal ambition transformed into appreciation for a way of life marked by humility and sacrifice.
It’s easy to forget what’s most important when your ego gets in the way. Jesus’s disciples were guilty of it–arguing which of them would be greatest. Jesus quickly set the record straight. “Whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.” My mother never desired to be great, but she expressed the qualities that are most essential for an effective and praiseworthy life. She was a humble servant, a caring friend and a supportive parent. I wish that 10-year-old boy had learned that lesson earlier, but he recognises it now.
petermaize 