“The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.”
This quote to live by, by Henry David Thoreau, has always haunted my thoughts. In a way, it’s not a quote to live by, but rather, a quote to remember when I find myself living how I know I shouldn’t. Whenever I find myself settling for good enough, this quiet desperation comes and begins to haunt me, telling me that I’m wasting the one thing I can never afford to lose, time. Something in my heart won’t let me get away with resignation, and the quiet desperation creeps in to convince me to live for something more. I often pair Thoreau’s quote with another quote by C.S. Lewis.
“Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.“
The idea of desire is something that man has been talking about for many thousands of years. Whether it be the Stoics and Epicureans of ancient Greece, or the Taoists of ancient China, a wide array of questions has arisen throughout time over this question of desire. What is good in life to desire, how strongly should I desire it and fight for it? As I think about this life of mine, I strangely find that I cannot be fully satisfied unless I know that I have fought for something truly extraordinary. If I haven’t, if I’ve allowed myself to settle for that which sits right before my eyes, I feel the nagging sense of quiet desperation creep into my heart and mind.
I hate that I often desire things which in the end prove hollow. I often feel like the child Lewis describes, settling for mud pies because I just can’t fully understand the better things that are out there to find. My new prayer for life is an excerpt, part of the last paragraph from Mountainside. “How wonderful it is to simply be full, to travel about a day or an hour in the world, feeling the fullness of things. How often does life prove less than this? How often is fullness replaced by a dull numbness, half-hearted creatures half-heartedly taking in a rich world? Though I walk through trials and pain and the mundane, I will feel them all in their fullness. Whatever this life may bring, let it be rich and fill my heart. Even in sorrow, be this wish still true — even in grief, let fullness be glad.”
13 Comments
Oh, I have certainly made my share of mud pies! And I think we all feel that sense of desperation from time to time. It’s sort of a sick feeling of regret that you’re not living up to your potential. But on the same thread where devils jump, angels dance. I was thinking about this just this morning because my mood was negative throughout the weekend, and I thought to myself that I am often highly in tuned and most reflective after experiencing sadness and loss. And it moves me to write, and that moves me once again to joy. Often times I feel like I don’t want to be full, I know I would miss the hunger. That sense of desperation I get is a reminder that I want to and must challenge myself, to risk feeling scared and not take the easiest path. I look at others around me, seemingly content and want so badly to understand how they are doing this. But maybe it’s as simple as pie.
Haha, yeah, maybe it is that simple. I definitely agree as well, times of sadness and reflection often lead to writing, which ultimately produces joy and meaning. So in the end, the sorrow and sense of desperation are just the catalyst for producing something good. It’s cool that you can relate to the feeling, being a writer yourself, and thoughtful.
i wonder..the quiet desperation…is he referring to our inability share our inner most fears, our secrets…the things we keep hidden just to prove our manhood. in doing so we dare little for fear that will expose us for frauds. if we can not assure victory, is it to scary to try. living like life depended on our own strength. ah…well put thought provoking post ben.
Hi Ben,
Great post. That quote by Thoreau is haunting! I think about what you wrote in terms of children—I think it is so important to expose them to a multitude of things as they go about their young lives so that they know what is out there and can dream big! There is beauty in being satisfied with a mud pie—but at the same time, we must also raise the bar for what we expect for ourselves in terms of happiness and “infinite joy.” Very thought provoking post! Thank you!
Brian, definitely. I resonate strongly with that idea. Secret fears can easily consume me and keep me paralyzed. Thanks very much for your ideas!
Jodi, I very much agree with you as well. I’m actually going to teach some kids at church on Sunday, and I think my topic is going to be about dreaming big
Thank you very much for enjoying and for leaving your thoughts!
Hello,
Nice post and so true.There is so much beauty in this world and we take it for granted many times.But I think it’s a human feeling that we have to feel alone or unsatisfied some days.Other days,you manage to feel that wholeness.And it is true that both of those feelings make us write beautiful words.I wish you plenty of shinning days to come.
P.S:It’s a coincidence I find Brian here too!Hi Brian!The world is really small!:)
Thanks Candie! I’m very glad you found me. I look forward to reading your blog.
Amen.
No Limits, No Fear.
I don’t know If I said it already but …Excellent site, keep up the good work. I read a lot of blogs on a daily basis and for the most part, people lack substance but, I just wanted to make a quick comment to say I’m glad I found your blog. Thanks,
A definite great read….
Hello Ben. Though for a true lover of the fullness of life, I wouldn’t have found you. Thanks Jo!
It has been many years since most of my liesure reading was of Thoreau. I see him in jail over the Mexican War. I see him at his father’s pencil factory. I see him building his “mansion” at Walden. But always I come back to the quote–”I have traveled extensively in Concord.” And even now as I read the line which has helped me smile through torturous rambling by bumbling foolishness in 101 flavors, I’m filled with unending fullness.
Thank you for the scenery and textures. Your message fits the package so well, it is hard to remove ourselves to the “duties of the day.”
Cheers,
Thanks! Isn’t Thoreau the greatest. It’s been quite a long time since my leisure reading of Thoreau as well. I miss it.
Extraordinary post, Ben. What is it that motivates some to languish in lives of quiet desperation, while others bravely step onto a different path?
Your most vivid image is the question you ask; “How often is fullness replaced by a dull numbness, half-hearted creatures half-heartedly taking in a rich world?”
Keep asking questions, keep seeking answers, and keep roaming, Ben.
Thanks! I’m doing my best to seize the day and bravely step onto the path. Thank you very much for your words of encouragement.
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