05-07-2010, 12:00 AM
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Thank you Rosy.
The thin line between visions and fantasies is painted by the stroke of accomplishments.
While the journey to excellence begins with an image, a vision of what is to be, it will end in mere fantasy and speculation without the "Will to accomplish," the determination to take the steps necessary to make the Dream into a concrete reality, the obsessive commitment to `endeavor to persevere' towards that goal no matter what, and of course, the sense to alter the Dream as circumstances change in the face of reality.
Thus, the difference between a vision and a fantasy has to do with the degree to which these mental images or scenarios can be realized with the resources at hand, and the extent to which we are willing to commit those resources to its concrete enactment.
Of yourself, demand perfection, but settle for excellence. Demand the impossible, expect to fall short, settle for the incredible. Of others, recognize excellence, but be prepared to dispense compassion.
A lack of appreciation for the struggle to achieve perfection is endemic in our society.
Ideas such as "good enough," or "if it ain't broke don't fix it," while subservient to the demands of expediency, if employed as life-guiding principles become the seeds of mediocrity and apathy, sown for short term gain but offering few rewards to reap in the long run.
By demanding perfection from ourselves we catapult our very existence into a higher plane of artistic accomplishment with whatever resources we are afforded at the moment.
By recognizing that perfection is a direction and not a goal, and learning to be content with our best attempt to enact the perfect ideal, we embrace excellence as a life-style.
Equally, we must recognize the inherent difficulties and demands in adhering to a life of excellence, the extra-ordinary effort that it entails, and not be condescending but rather compassionate and understanding toward our fellow human being for whom the path of mediocrity has become the norm.
SHM
Thank you Rosy.
The thin line between visions and fantasies is painted by the stroke of accomplishments.
While the journey to excellence begins with an image, a vision of what is to be, it will end in mere fantasy and speculation without the "Will to accomplish," the determination to take the steps necessary to make the Dream into a concrete reality, the obsessive commitment to `endeavor to persevere' towards that goal no matter what, and of course, the sense to alter the Dream as circumstances change in the face of reality.
Thus, the difference between a vision and a fantasy has to do with the degree to which these mental images or scenarios can be realized with the resources at hand, and the extent to which we are willing to commit those resources to its concrete enactment.
Of yourself, demand perfection, but settle for excellence. Demand the impossible, expect to fall short, settle for the incredible. Of others, recognize excellence, but be prepared to dispense compassion.
A lack of appreciation for the struggle to achieve perfection is endemic in our society.
Ideas such as "good enough," or "if it ain't broke don't fix it," while subservient to the demands of expediency, if employed as life-guiding principles become the seeds of mediocrity and apathy, sown for short term gain but offering few rewards to reap in the long run.
By demanding perfection from ourselves we catapult our very existence into a higher plane of artistic accomplishment with whatever resources we are afforded at the moment.
By recognizing that perfection is a direction and not a goal, and learning to be content with our best attempt to enact the perfect ideal, we embrace excellence as a life-style.
Equally, we must recognize the inherent difficulties and demands in adhering to a life of excellence, the extra-ordinary effort that it entails, and not be condescending but rather compassionate and understanding toward our fellow human being for whom the path of mediocrity has become the norm.
SHM