most men live lives of quiet desperation

#MOST MEN LIVE LIVES OF QUIET DESPERATION FULL#

Throughout high school and college, the “prize” was medical school. So I became laser-focused on that pursuit. Take a moment to reflect on your life’s trajectory that got you to where you are today.įor me, I knew I wanted to enter medicine during my freshman year in high school. We, as physicians and nurses, can relate to this. In Thoreau’s book Walden, he remarks perfectly when he writes, “most of the luxuries and many of the so-called comforts of life, are not only not indispensable, but positive hindrances to the elevation of mankind.” Thoreau argues, and I agree, that we live a life of quiet desperation when we attempt to fill it with things such as money, personal possessions, and the pursuit of accolades. What is it that you want in your life and your career?.

#MOST MEN LIVE LIVES OF QUIET DESPERATION FULL#

I want your cup not only to be full but to be overflowing. I want you to learn, grow, and thrive in medicine and your personal life. No more, my friends! Here at Medicine Revived, I want you to lead a life of fulfillment, joy, and continued growth. Unfortunately, many of our brothers and sisters in medicine have resigned themselves to the life of quiet desperation and stagnated and ultimately leading to a life of burnout. Physicians and nurses can relate to this life of quiet desperation. I came across this quote from Henry David Thoreau some time ago and saw so many parallels to it as it relates to us in medicine. THE QUESTIONĭo you have a holy discontent story? Did it lead to crisis or awakening or both? Are you in the midst of a holy discontent story now? It has a way of coming back around.“The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.” – Henry David Thoreau Come Holy Spirit and grant me the courage to turn away from all that would distract me and the grace to become completely honest with myself before you. I want to trust you that underneath my discontent are your divine purposes, your dreams and your plans for me. I do not want to settle for less than what you want for me. Heavenly Father, something deep down tells me there’s more to this life than I presently know and experience. Paying attention means opening the vault of our quiet desperation and bringing forth our discontent that it might be named aloud and offered to God. When we pay attention to this discontent it can lead to tremendous breakthroughs into the greater purposes for our lives. Unheeded, this discontent can lead anywhere from a numbing affluence to a disastrous addiction. We are not the person we hoped we would become by now. We are dissatisfied with the way things are. True growth most often begins with a growing sense of dissonance. To the extent we are not attuned to this reality we are still asleep. Either way, the beginning of awakening in our lives is signaled by a growing awareness of the gnawing dissatisfaction in the pit of our souls. And though it is not a requirement, often it takes the former to produce the latter. One of two things will turn up the volume on this quiet desperation: crisis or awakening. Truth be told, it crouches at most of our doors. We hold it at bay by a thousand small distractions. We manage this quiet desperation by trying to stay ahead of it. Someone once pointed out that the word, “fine,” in this context, offers an apt acronym: Frustrated, Insecure, Nervous, and Exhausted. It is signaled by the all too common response to the question, “How are you doing?” It is the subtle deal we make with ourselves that we can have the world and the Kingdom that drives quiet desperation. After all, the world looks good with all its promises of prosperity. It happens in small, often imperceptible degrees. No-one sets out to gain the whole world at the cost of their soul. It tends to be the up-and-outers who suffer the curse of quiet desperation. It is loud, unavoidable, and often public. The down-and-outers can’t hide their desperation.

Henry David Thoreau once famously said, “Most people lead lives of quiet desperation, and they go to the grave with the song still in them.” What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? CONSIDER THIS

Most men live lives of quiet desperation