The Power of Vision Over Ambition
In the 1967 Disney film The Jungle Book, there is a memorable scene featuring a group of vultures who engage in a repetitive and frustrating conversation about what they should do. This exchange, which echoes the thoughts of teenagers today, highlights the uncertainty many young people feel about their future paths. While society often encourages them to dream big and aim for the stars, the question remains: is ambition the only way forward?
Guest speakers at school events frequently inspire students to be ambitious, to reach for the highest goals, and to strive for success. As the English novelist Anthony Trollope once said, “It is a grand thing to rise in the world. The ambition to do so is the very salt of the earth.” Similarly, Steven Brust emphasized the importance of ambition by stating, “A young man without ambition is an old man waiting to be.” These statements suggest that ambition is not just encouraged but almost essential.
However, this raises an important question: must we all have ambition? Should we be promoting it? What if someone achieves great success without being driven by ambition?
Take the example of Rivaldo, one of Brazil’s most celebrated soccer players. He won the World Cup, the Champions League, and the Ballon d’Or, yet he once stated, “As a poor child, the idea of one day being a world champion with the Brazilian national team never crossed my mind. My dream was just to be a professional for Santa Cruz.” How did he achieve such success without ambition? This challenges the notion that ambition is the sole path to achievement.
Writers throughout history have offered insights into the nature of ambition. Joseph Conrad warned that “All ambitions are lawful except those which climb upward on the miseries or credulities of mankind,” while Petrarch suggested that ambition is one of the five enemies of peace. These perspectives highlight the potential dangers of ambition, as it can exploit others and lead to negative consequences.
Instead of focusing solely on ambition, perhaps we should encourage our children to develop vision and values. Vision provides purpose, as theologian William Barclay once said, “The two greatest days are the day you were born and the day you discovered why.” Alongside vision, belief, passion, and perspective are essential. As the Bible states, “What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul?”
Values are equally important. Emphasizing qualities like Humility, Empathy, Availability, Respect, and Trust (HEART) can help shape well-rounded individuals. Who people are matters more than what they do.
Martin Luther King Jr. advocated for a life of service, saying, “Whatever career you may choose… become a dedicated fighter for civil rights. Make it a central part of your life.” His message was clear: serving others brings nobility and fulfillment. He added, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”
Many other influential figures echoed this sentiment. Leo Tolstoy believed, “The sole meaning of life is to serve humanity.” Albert Einstein noted, “Only a life lived in the service to others is worth living.” Maya Angelou highlighted the wisdom of seeking to touch hearts rather than just reaching for the stars. Henry Van Dyke added, “There is a loftier ambition than merely to stand high in the world. It is to stoop down and lift mankind a little higher.”
These ideas suggest that we should teach our children to find a calling, not just a career. Rather than becoming vultures, constantly questioning what to do, we should encourage them to seek meaningful ways to contribute to society.
