View from chapel window, Pizzaonian Monasteries
“I am a realist. I believe in exploiting the possible, not in chasing impossible dreams.” Brother Franco
Part 4 – Defining success - continued with Brother Franco
Brother Giovanni (BG) – Since I have known you, and that is a number of years now, you have always been a realist. It is probably why you have made such a good headmaster at the monastery. From your mentoring experience, what do you believe is the best way for a person to start on the road to success?
Brother Franco (BF) – You are being kind. What you call being a realist many of my detractors call “hard headed and unbending.” With that, I have learned the one thing missing from most people’s intentions on leading the good life is a realistic inventory of what they have to work with.
BG – I can remember when we started out in the kitchen as novice monks you’re saying, “ Don’t try to make filet minion if all you have to work with is some celery, carrots and onions.”
(BF) – Exactly, and as we learned early in our kitchen experience, you can still do a lot if you are willing to deal with the fact that all you have is celery, carrots and onions.
(BG) - Is that what you mean by exploiting the possible?
(BF) – Yes, that is why so much of what I call “peasant cuisine” is so good and healthful.
(BG) – Now, how do we apply all of this to a person creating a realistic plan for their journey to success?
(BF) – I like to divide the process into parts. First, you have to take some time to define what you mean by success. I am amazed at how different people’s definition of success can be. It takes a serious amount of reflection to determine what kind of life you want to live.
(BG) – You can see that by the type of people who live in Pizzaonia. Many portalized here because they could not find the type of lifestyle in their native countries. For them the environment they lived in was a factor in their definition of success.
(BF) – That worked for us, but not too many people are going to want to leave where they are to live in an alternate universe such as Pizzaonia. That’s why it is vital to define success on your terms. This is the point where you have to consider “exploiting the possible rather than chasing impossible dreams.”
Your definition of success has to cover many areas, including emotional as well as material needs. There will be overlap here, but realistically, you have to stay in range of what you are capable of accomplishing.
(BG) – Wow! This could be overwhelming.
(BF) That’s why so many people leave their lives to chance hoping that the right opportunity will show up. Till next time........
(Editor's note: this is an actual transcript - no additions, corrections or deletions have been made.)
OPD 1212
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