I love this view, it's radically different from what we usually read, hear and see about the topic of "bad news"! I find myself agreeing to both, though. Bad news can drain people and leave them tired, empty and anxious. But that is only if they do not see the fight, the control, the choices they themselves possess! That's where your views come in, of the good fight, the primal hardship. Adopting that mindset, seeing one's own power over oneself and one's immense potential can turn the anxiety into confidence, fear into courage!
This is it! It comes to down to choice. Once we learn to see what we can do with the seemingly impossible challenge, it becomes a pleasure to overcome.
I do love a brief pithy well-written piece. Get in, say your bit, get out. Please keep sharing your short takes, Sam!
Your piece on Gandalf is sublime. The “Steward” is my preferred archetype of the good person on Earth. The person who truly lives the paradigm of NAMASTE (the spirit in me bows to the spirit in you) as you say so well with “His intensely vulnerable love for Hobbit and Elf, horse and eagle, simbelmynë and pipe-weed, is his strength. Everything is infused with vital energy and life-force.” Treating every living being as a THOU rather than an IT/thing for consumption (as embodied in the character of Sauron ) is the only route to salvation.
I love these lines so much. It is acceptance of a role, but it is also the assumption of it. It is relational ("we are similar") and yet immediately separating ("you are missing the point"). Almost like an accountability challenge that is given to Denethor because Gandalf has already met it.
But the application of it!! My time, attention, priorities, love, all of it. For I am also a steward...
In my office, on the wall next to my desk, I have a little space on the wall that I put post-it notes with sentences that matter. I stare at them when I am thinking or need mental sustenance. I think these two lines need to be added to it.
Thank you for this. I am talking to Shane Copeland today for the podcast. What a perfect way to get the creative juices flowing this morning beforehand. :)
I like this angle of an “accountability challenge.” Gandalf was ready, at any moment, to throw down. I cannot believe Tolkien was able to invent this characters—nuance, anger, passion, depth.
The duality between the two, which I've traditionally thought of as good vs. evil, is really about meaning vs. nihilism (as you say). If Tolkien were alive today, I'd like to see how these passages would be written. I think no different since ego, despair, hope, and purpose drive our behaviour as much as ever. A true steward.
I always liked Gandalf's rejoinder to Denethor because it was subtle. He replied to Denethor's smugness not by matching it, but by reframing the mission as something far bigger. Olorin must have seen all the Ages unfold, maybe known Beren and Tuor and Earendil, from whom Elros and all the Kings descended. But he had no need to humiliate Denethor for his role in the cosmic battle. Your triple post really got me going yesterday just when I needed it, man! I spoke to a few people who refuse the apocalypticizing. And I am looking at eyes.
The media deliberately catastrophize events, playing on fears, dividing participants, while creating an atmosphere of despair. One group is enervated, drained of morale, while another is challenged by the adversity. That group unites, assembles resources, and prepares while utilizing the adrenaline rush of potential danger as a motivation. The endogenous steward, if you will, minds the tasks within his narrow vision. The exogenous steward breathes deeply and stands upright as he embraces the broader challenges beyond his own horizons. The bright fiery eyes of a deep-souled person reveal the intense vitality and passion of one committed to giving all and extracting much from each moment. The common denominator in all three offerings is: choice. In choosing to extract the most from the bad news, in accepting the challenge of a greater calling, and in focusing on the majesty of this life we are given is the essence of how we share our positive energy. A strong effort with your new format, Sam. Let’s go!
I love this view, it's radically different from what we usually read, hear and see about the topic of "bad news"! I find myself agreeing to both, though. Bad news can drain people and leave them tired, empty and anxious. But that is only if they do not see the fight, the control, the choices they themselves possess! That's where your views come in, of the good fight, the primal hardship. Adopting that mindset, seeing one's own power over oneself and one's immense potential can turn the anxiety into confidence, fear into courage!
This is it! It comes to down to choice. Once we learn to see what we can do with the seemingly impossible challenge, it becomes a pleasure to overcome.
That would also lead back to purpose, self-control and agency! It's possible to talk endlessly about this, I love it!
I do love a brief pithy well-written piece. Get in, say your bit, get out. Please keep sharing your short takes, Sam!
Your piece on Gandalf is sublime. The “Steward” is my preferred archetype of the good person on Earth. The person who truly lives the paradigm of NAMASTE (the spirit in me bows to the spirit in you) as you say so well with “His intensely vulnerable love for Hobbit and Elf, horse and eagle, simbelmynë and pipe-weed, is his strength. Everything is infused with vital energy and life-force.” Treating every living being as a THOU rather than an IT/thing for consumption (as embodied in the character of Sauron ) is the only route to salvation.
Thank you, Baird. We can all use some Martin Buber as well with his I-Thou point of view. Meaning is all around us.
"For I am also a steward. Did you not know?"
I love these lines so much. It is acceptance of a role, but it is also the assumption of it. It is relational ("we are similar") and yet immediately separating ("you are missing the point"). Almost like an accountability challenge that is given to Denethor because Gandalf has already met it.
But the application of it!! My time, attention, priorities, love, all of it. For I am also a steward...
In my office, on the wall next to my desk, I have a little space on the wall that I put post-it notes with sentences that matter. I stare at them when I am thinking or need mental sustenance. I think these two lines need to be added to it.
Thank you for this. I am talking to Shane Copeland today for the podcast. What a perfect way to get the creative juices flowing this morning beforehand. :)
I like this angle of an “accountability challenge.” Gandalf was ready, at any moment, to throw down. I cannot believe Tolkien was able to invent this characters—nuance, anger, passion, depth.
You’re very welcome, Kit.
"Despair is only for those who see the end beyond all doubt. We do not". -Gandalf the Grey
A true baller. What I would give to learn from him for a few years.
The duality between the two, which I've traditionally thought of as good vs. evil, is really about meaning vs. nihilism (as you say). If Tolkien were alive today, I'd like to see how these passages would be written. I think no different since ego, despair, hope, and purpose drive our behaviour as much as ever. A true steward.
I agree. His philosophy cut through the ages, right to the human condition. He was a master thinker. Thanks Jesse.
I always liked Gandalf's rejoinder to Denethor because it was subtle. He replied to Denethor's smugness not by matching it, but by reframing the mission as something far bigger. Olorin must have seen all the Ages unfold, maybe known Beren and Tuor and Earendil, from whom Elros and all the Kings descended. But he had no need to humiliate Denethor for his role in the cosmic battle. Your triple post really got me going yesterday just when I needed it, man! I spoke to a few people who refuse the apocalypticizing. And I am looking at eyes.
A beautiful perspective Gandalf must have had on time and life and meaning. And maybe even on eyes…
Re. Steward; it takes one, to know one.
If even an ounce of me has a touch of Gandalf I can die happy.
The media deliberately catastrophize events, playing on fears, dividing participants, while creating an atmosphere of despair. One group is enervated, drained of morale, while another is challenged by the adversity. That group unites, assembles resources, and prepares while utilizing the adrenaline rush of potential danger as a motivation. The endogenous steward, if you will, minds the tasks within his narrow vision. The exogenous steward breathes deeply and stands upright as he embraces the broader challenges beyond his own horizons. The bright fiery eyes of a deep-souled person reveal the intense vitality and passion of one committed to giving all and extracting much from each moment. The common denominator in all three offerings is: choice. In choosing to extract the most from the bad news, in accepting the challenge of a greater calling, and in focusing on the majesty of this life we are given is the essence of how we share our positive energy. A strong effort with your new format, Sam. Let’s go!
Let’s get it—it could not be any more clear.
The bad news one is motivating me to riff off of it and dive deeper!
Get after it. It is a target rich environment.
Excellent
Thank you Don.
My kids listened to some song that has “steward” in it and have been asking what it means. Now I’ll just quote that Gandolph monologue. Banger, Sam.
It struck me hard when I was a kid. I’m curious if it resonates as deeply with them as well.