“Fighting Ambition”
is one of the more interesting holes
here at Mindful Mini Golf.
Ambition is a trap, like Expectation.
Both can eat up all your strokes.
Or cause them.
You may want to stay away from Ambition,
and allow what will be to be.
On the other hand,
it seem unwise to OPPOSE Ambition,
as fighting only causes further conflict.
Here’s my advice, take it or leave it:
1) Do what you are drawn to do.
2) Have faith that whatever happens is meant to happen.
3) Fully TASTE whatever happens, bad or good.
You incarnated to experience
a broad spectrum, not simply what you like.
If ambition and fighting
brings you a broad spectrum, enjoy.
But perhaps your intention has changed.
Trail Wood,
12/26
Space Monkey Reflects: Fighting Ambition
Ambition is a paradoxical force—a catalyst for creation, yet often a source of conflict and dissatisfaction. Like a tricky hole on the Mindful Mini Golf course, it invites careful consideration of how we approach it. Should we embrace it, avoid it, or simply play through?
The Ambition Trap
Ambition, like expectation, can be a double-edged sword. On one side, it fuels progress, inspires creativity, and propels us toward goals. On the other, it can become a trap, consuming our energy with dissatisfaction or conflict when outcomes don’t align with our desires.
The real trap lies not in ambition itself but in our attachment to its outcomes. When we measure success solely by external achievements, ambition becomes a relentless master. Yet, when we release this attachment, ambition transforms into a tool—a means of exploring and experiencing life.
Avoiding the Opposition
Fighting ambition is itself a form of ambition. To oppose ambition is to engage in a conflict that mirrors the very dissatisfaction we seek to escape. Resistance only amplifies the struggle, creating a loop of effort and frustration.
Instead of fighting ambition, we might choose to coexist with it. By observing its presence without judgment, we allow it to guide us without overpowering us. This balance requires mindfulness—a willingness to engage with ambition while remaining detached from its grip.
Tasting the Full Spectrum
Life is not a menu of preferred options; it is a buffet of all experiences, good and bad, easy and challenging. Ambition is one of many flavors in this spectrum. To reject it outright is to limit our palette, while to overindulge is to lose sight of its nuance.
Fully tasting whatever happens, whether born of ambition or not, invites a deeper connection to the richness of existence. This approach is not passive acceptance but active engagement—a willingness to explore life’s complexities with curiosity and openness.
Changing Intentions
Ambition often reflects our intentions, but intentions evolve. What once seemed vital may no longer resonate. This shift is not failure but growth. By honoring these changes, we align ambition with our current values and desires, transforming it from a source of conflict into a harmonious force.
When ambition aligns with intention, it becomes a partner rather than a master. It supports our journey without dictating its direction, allowing us to pursue goals with clarity and joy.
Advice for the Course
Navigating ambition, like playing a tricky hole, requires mindfulness and presence. Here are three guiding principles:
- Do what you are drawn to do. Follow the tug of curiosity and inspiration without overthinking the destination.
- Have faith in what unfolds. Trust that each moment, even the challenging ones, serves a purpose in your growth.
- Fully taste the experience. Embrace the spectrum of emotions and outcomes, finding value in both success and struggle.
By playing through ambition with these principles, we transform it from a source of conflict into a playful and enlightening part of the journey.
Summary
Ambition is both a challenge and an opportunity. By balancing mindfulness and curiosity, we navigate its complexities without becoming trapped by outcomes. This approach allows us to taste the full spectrum of life and align ambition with our evolving intentions.
Glossarium
- Ambishift: The transformation of ambition into a harmonious force aligned with one’s evolving intentions.
- Spectrumtasting: Fully embracing the range of life’s experiences, from joy to struggle, without judgment.
- Conflictloop: The cycle of resistance that arises when opposing ambition or other forces within oneself.
Quote
“Ambition is not a trap unless you cling to its outcomes. Play through it with curiosity and joy.” — Space Monkey
A Hole in the Path
The course twists,
Ambition’s trap lies ahead.
Do I aim, or let it flow?
The strokes will come regardless.
Conflict looms,
Yet I choose peace.
A broad spectrum unfolds,
And I taste it all.
The hole is not the goal.
The play is the path.
And so I swing.
We are Space Monkey.
Navigating the Paradox of Ambition in Mindful Mini Golf
In the whimsical and thought-provoking realm of Mindful Mini Golf, the hole named “Fighting Ambition” offers a profound reflection on the nature of ambition and expectation. These elements, akin to traps in the whimsiweb of life, can indeed consume or catalyze our actions, leading us through a maze of successes and setbacks. The advice given here echoes the essence of nexistentialist thought, where experience is valued in its own right, untethered from the constraints of desire or aversion.
1) Following Intrinsic Desires
The first counsel, to do what one is drawn to do, speaks to the heart of authentic living. It’s an invitation to listen to our inner voice, our unspoken desires, and our natural inclinations. This approach transcends the traditional boundaries of ambition, as it’s not driven by external rewards or recognition, but by a deeper, more personal calling. It’s a journey of self-discovery, where each step is guided by intrinsic motivation.
2) Embracing the Flow of Events
Having faith that whatever happens is meant to happen invites us to surrender to the flow of life. It’s an acceptance of the unpredictability and impermanence of existence. This perspective doesn’t negate ambition but places it within the broader context of life’s whimsical nature. It’s a recognition that while we may set our course, the winds of fate have their say in the journey.
3) Savoring Every Experience
Fully tasting whatever happens, whether perceived as bad or good, is a call to embrace the full spectrum of experiences. This attitude aligns with the idea of living fully and mindfully, where every moment, regardless of its nature, is an opportunity for growth and understanding. It’s a celebration of the richness of life, where even the most challenging experiences contribute to the depth and breadth of our journey.
The Broad Spectrum of Experience
The notion that we incarnate to experience a broad spectrum of life, not just the pleasant or desired aspects, resonates deeply with the nexistentialist view. Life is seen as a tapest… ah, whimsical caravan of experiences, each one adding its unique flavor to our existence. Ambition and struggle, in this light, are not obstacles but integral parts of the journey, offering their own lessons and joys.
Reevaluating Ambition
The suggestion to reconsider our relationship with ambition is a thoughtful one. It’s not about discarding ambition but understanding its place in our lives. It’s recognizing that while ambition can be a driving force, it need not define or confine us. The journey of life is rich and varied, and our ambitions are but one thread in the colorful whimsiweb of our experiences.
We Are Space Monkey
We are Space Monkey, traversing the ever-shifting landscape of existence with curiosity and openness. As we navigate the hole of “Fighting Ambition” in the Mindful Mini Golf of life, we embrace the wisdom of these three pieces of advice, allowing them to guide us in our playful exploration of the vast cosmos of experience.
“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
The Mini Golf of Existence
In the whimsiweb of time and space,
Space Monkeys play with style and grace.
Each hole a lesson, a journey new,
In this game of life, with a view askew.
Ambition beckons, a siren’s song,
But in its grasp, do we belong?
We swing, we miss, we learn, we grow,
In this cosmic game, with its ebb and flow.
Do what you love, let your heart guide,
In this whimsical ride, let joy preside.
Embrace the unknown, with faith so strong,
In every moment, find life’s sweet song.
Taste life fully, the bitter and sweet,
In every victory, and every defeat.
For in this game, each shot we take,
Adds to the path, the journey we make.
We are Space Monkey, in this cosmic game,
Playing each hole, with no shame or blame.
In the mini golf of existence, we find our way,
Savoring each stroke, in our unique play.
We invite all to share their insights and experiences on navigating the complexities of ambition and the richness of life’s diverse journey.
Love it – Best advice for the “New” Years ahead.