Caesar's Lament
I've been mulling over whether or not I should make this post for weeks because it's largely personal and I would prefer not to use this soapbox of mine for introspectives. After thinking about it though, I don't think i'm alone, and that in itself makes it a political matter.
When Julius Caesar was in his early 30s and was a low level public official in Spain, it's been said that he came upon a statue of Alexander the Great and started to cry, lamenting the fact that at the age where he was just a low level nobody who had squandered what he could have been while Alexander had conquered the world.
Yeah, I know it's apples and oranges when I compare myself to Julius Caesar's plight back in Spain. I'm 25, I have Asperger's Syndrome, and the world today is alot more complex than the one Caesar faced in his day. Still, right now I feel the same way he did back then, even though I shouldn't and I don't want to.
And there are probably countless people my age who feel the same way across the world.
If we could energize all of those people, infuse them with a niche and a sense of purpose, I can hardly imagine the benefit to humanity, partly because I can hardly imagine the harm to mankind if the people out there like me stay in limbo or latch onto a group that seeks destruction.
I'd go up to Concord tomorrow for the inauguration, but I really don't feel like my prescence there would make any difference to be honest with you.
Andrew Sylvia
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The sad fact is that not everyone can be Alexander the Great. BTW isn't it interesting that people who have past life regressions all find out that they were Alexander, Nefertiti or Catherine the Great in earlier incarnations? Nobody ever discovers that they were the vomitorium cleaner in ancient Rome..but I digress.
I used to look back at all the what ifs of my life. What if I put effort into my own political career rather than all the Democrats I've worked for? What if I harnessed all the trivial knowledge in my brain towards one great thing?
The fact is I didn't and, looking back, my life was and is pretty awesome. Nope, I can't play guitar and my singing is shower worthy only. But I can listen and appreciate. There have been times when music has moved me to tears, laughter, joy.. I get it. Had I run for office and not supported X, maybe 200 fewer GOTV calls would have been made and X might have lost by 199 votes.
I've never been the "star" but I've had the opportunity to be around lots of them. I've met most of my heroes and been able to thank them for inspiring me. I've also been able to work towards improving the lives of people who have less than I do. Maybe if I'd attained great heights I wouldn't have been able to see those who suffer - the ones Jesus referred to as "the least of mine" and the ones the Christian Right have conveniently forgotten.
It sounds like you've found a mission for yourself - empowering others. That's a worthy cause. Just make your own. Don't ask what would Alexander the Great do? Ask, what will Andrew Sylvia do? You'll be great!
I don't need to conquer the world like Julius Caesar or Alexander the Great,
I just need to figure out something that i'm good at which can give me a "true purpose". It seems that really lies at the root of many problems in the world with many other people than myself, but it isn't talked about alot.
I'm sure i'll get there eventually, and I hope I can help others get there along the way, but right now i'm having some trouble seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.
Thank you for lending me a candle.
The greatest warrior is not the general, but the man who delivers the message. The greatest politician is not the leader himself, but the one with the concience and heart to push others in the right direction.
By that measure, in my opinion the greatest political leader in the ancient times was St. Paul. He knocked the Roman Empire on its ass, and all he had faith, passion, and seeds. He suffered his whole life for his beliefs...that is greatness.
Suffer for yours because The world is like Rocky. If you ain't getting punched in the face, and if you ain't getting knocked down you just ain't in the fight.
You are in it Andy, keep punching. God put you here for a reason. Don't expect any gratitude from anyone. Thomas Paine, the author of the American Revolution was mourned by six people at his funeral. But without him a nation would never have been conceived.
some of his words "These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph."
We live in a state that has serious media shortcomings. Our statewide paper has a serious right wing bias. Our only television station has the same bias. As a blogger, you distribute information and opinion - and that is of great importance, especially in NH.
You're a writer. Your job is of paramount importance.
I hope you've done other more productive things. If so, you are doing well and I wish you the best, because you're obviously a good writer.