Notes Along the Journey 04: Aspirations, Daydreams, and Discipline

Note: By way of reminder… This particular stream of blogs is really just “online journaling” for me. I’m basically recording some of my own more personal thoughts for future reference. Not sure if they will have any relevance for anyone else who takes the time to read these. In this case, the source of my thinking is to be found in T. H. White’s classic Arthurian novel, “The Once and Future King.” If you are a fan of the Arthur lore, or even if you’re not, I HIGHLY recommend this timeless classic. I first read it at an early age, and I am now currently reading it yet once again as I close in on 60. Such an incredible book!

Rather than spending a lot of time ruminating on an “approach” to starting this blog, I’ll just dive into the five brief excerpts I wanted to share here. In this case, all five come from p. 318 (the second chapter of the third book “The Ill-Made Knight”).

• “He [Lancelot] had to perfect himself for Arthur…”
• “He [Lancelot] had to teach himself to possess a sound opinion on hundreds of disputed points…”
• “He [Lancelot] supported himself meanwhile on daydreams.”
• “He [Lancelot] wanted to be the best knight in the world…”
• “He [Lancelot] wanted… to be able to perform some ordinary miracle…”

Down at the bottom of the page, I recorded my overarching thought as follows: ASPIRATIONS, DAYDREAMS, and DISCIPLINE… Those things which he knew he could become if he was willing to exercise the necessary discipline; those things he dreamed of becoming even though they seemed entirely impossible; and the pathway he saw as the prerequisite for guaranteeing his aspirations and positioning him to possibly realize his daydreams.

Basically, Lancelot understood that the things we desire and want seldom, if ever, happen by accident or coincidence. Most of our goals will only be reached by some mixture of all those words we saw in office motivational posters that were so popular back in the 90s: discipline, endurance, perseverance, commitment, hard work, etc. Simply “wanting” something isn’t sufficient to make it happen. Dreams don’t become reality apart from a fair share of “blood, sweat, and tears.” Yes, there can be some luck involved (right place at the right time). Yes, natural talent certainly plays a role (which is why I never became a professional basketball player). But in the final analysis, there is a pathway that young Lancelot eagerly and willingly embraced in White’s novel that eventually led him to the realization of his aspirations and dreams… years and years of consistent, routine practice. Effort. Effort. And more effort. Over and over and over and over and over again. In time, that daily investment paid a huge dividend for Lancelot. He would become all those things he had dreamed of becoming (although I’m not sure he ever performed a miracle in the Arthurian lore).

Along that line of thinking I also wrote the following along the margin of the same page: PERFECTED HIMSELF… TAUGHT HIMSELF… SUPPORTED HIMSELF. All reflexive verbs (if I remember my English grammar correctly some 4+ decades later). In each case he was both the object and the subject of his efforts. Rather than making excuses, he took initiative. Rather than accepting apathy, he embraced diligence. Rather than resigning himself to fate, he set his eyes and feet on the path of his own choosing. He knew what he wanted to be and he did the necessary work to get himself ready when the opportunity arose.

I share all this tonight because this morning I was confirmed for my 4th UN Volunteers appointment. This next assignment has me serving remotely with a local NGO in Northern Uganda by the name of ERONet. Per their website “ERONet is an indigenous women-centered organization operating and based in post-conflict Northern Uganda, near the border with South Sudan. Our mission is to empower marginalized communities and create opportunities for sustainable development. We achieve this by working with local women and youth groups and providing them with resources and training to develop their skills and improve their livelihoods.” My role is still very preliminary at this point but my overarching mission is to help build partnerships around the globe, contribute web articles, and research potential grant opportunities for them. For my part, I am humbled and amazed to have this opportunity. 3 years ago I started down this path of global volunteerism with a strong desire to especially serve countries in the continent of Africa. During my first two years I received only two appointments (neither in Africa). I almost gave up hope. But late last year things began to change. First, I was granted an opportunity to serve remotely for 4 months with GLOWA in Cameroon. That assignment ended two weeks ago and then this current assignment in Uganda opened almost immediately afterwards. There seems to be a momentum here currently for which I am incredibly grateful. Like young Lancelot, this is what I have “wanted” for so long. For well over a decade I invested myself in furthering my education in hopes of one day having just such an opportunity. All I can say? It took a long time to get here (a long, long time) and I intend to make the most of this opportunity that my God has so graciously granted me.

To be entirely honest and transparent, the real dream still seems ridiculously impossible (much like Lancelot’s desire to perform a miracle I long to one day serve in these types of roles full-time… to be candid, my dream job has always been the UN). But for now I will continue to “support myself on daydreams” of that desired future while I sacrificially labor as best I can in the opportunities I have been given. I will continue to read, study, and research in the few hours I have each evening. And for the next 7 weeks I will give my best to the people of Uganda.