When the mighty sword flies uncontrolled
In an ideal world, we all hope for this to be true: that the pen is mightier than the sword, and those who are able to wield it, only wield and brandish this sword with wise and care.
The sword in the stone, for example, was not drawn by any mere mortal. Arthur was widely acclaimed to be a king and servant-leader who was just, wise yet humble enough to yield his sword with a balanced will of power and servitude.
None of us are mere mortals in this world, and for every one of us, there is a hidden sword within, a skill, that when found, we would be able to use and demonstrate that skill aloud, as allowed. Yes, talent should be honed, and if one can excel at something, due acclaim ought to be accorded. Of course, not everybody is privileged and fortunate enough to retrieve his own Excalibur, which is occasionally double-edged. We acknowledge and celebrate the existence of those fortunate few who stand out. Yes, they do stand out, don't they? And yes, how we celebrate their existence, how gleeful and joyous we are when we speak of the glories and mighty shine of that fabulous, fabulous sword.
And of course, sometimes we lament the discovery of that sword. We know it and feel it, when that the owner of that sword slips and loses his grip. It's worst when the handle becomes slippery just at a time when glory is abound for its owner.
What happens then? We bend, and hide, and sometimes, we run away, because we fear that brandishing sword, now out of control. You never know when you will be beheaded, you see, the blade is careless, it is sharp, so it is essential that we be careful.
And in that moment, sometimes, like now, you wish that that person wasn't allowed to display his skills aloud at first, that you didn't contribute to his glory in the first place. Oh well, alas, what else can we do but hope and pray (of course), that good sense will prevail.
February 23rd, 2006 at 12:11 pm
The irony is that the blade is revered amongst the followers without question, without doubt, like sheep in a flock. Such unquestioned motives breeds complacency and often collapses onto itself.
February 23rd, 2006 at 12:23 pm
It’s like what they say, wounds from a rusted blade are deadlier than a well kept blade.
February 23rd, 2006 at 12:36 pm
First the “Damn, I’m Confused” posting and now this. Is there some happening in the blogosphere blowing flames to some fire?
February 23rd, 2006 at 1:11 pm
ppl derive happiness from others misery. wise and care, what the hell for. am not hearing you
February 23rd, 2006 at 2:44 pm
As the saying goes, “With great powers come great responsibility”.
February 23rd, 2006 at 2:51 pm
Jeremy: surely you can do better than that. i swear if i see another person saying that stupid line i’ll castrate him and then roast his balls over a fireplace and then feed it to him. if its a she i’ll just chop off her nipples, use them as cherries for ice cream and she’ll have to eat them. grrrr.
February 23rd, 2006 at 3:20 pm
haha, ok Claire, what about this one…
“We thought, because we had power, we had wisdom”
February 23rd, 2006 at 3:55 pm
With great powers come great responsibility.
WOOOPPS!
*hides his nuts, least they be roasted!*
was not drawn by any mere mortal.
Um … as Arthur died, he was a mere mortal. Otherwise, he couldn’t die.
BUT, he was the true King … Kings are supposed to serve their people. The first shall be last. The meek shall inherit the earth … unless you are a servant etc etc.
‘Of course, not everybody is privileged and fortunate enough to retrieve his own Excalibur’
Do we have an excalibur? And why his? Why not hers?
A lot of the greatest people have said that they were not very talented at the things they ended up excelling at.
I give for example, Carl Lewis and Jessie Owens. Both of these men were the WORST at running when they started. They both used to come last.
Jessie only started running because his coach made him. His coach had decided he needed to join the track team, NOT because he was good, but because he ws always so sick, the coach thought it would save his life.
Eventually, Jessie Owens went on to win Olympic Gold.
Carl Lewis also went on to win Olympic Gold …
So how can two people who always used to come last, end up as Olympic Godl medalists?
Easy, it wasn’t from an excalibur they had within them, it was because they trained hard, they failed, but never gave in.
If you look inside for an excalibur, you may never find it.
Chose something you want to be good at, and then just keep going - learn to accept that failure is part of life.
As Michael Jordan said, “I succeed, because I fail.’
Anyway, I’m sounded rather contrary, which I’m not trying to be. I’m just trying to throw light on the subject from a different direction. I agree that everyone has certain ‘excaliburs’ so to speak, where they are naturally gifted at certain things, but at the end of the day, perseverance and the pain of hard work will always beat someone who [as you put it], doesn’t hone their own skills.
Some people don’t want to follow their naturally gifted parts of themselves (for example, Rod Stewart and Elton John were both gifted football players and had
good carees in soccer if they chose to follow them … but both chose to go into music instead.) Should we berate John and Rod for following a different path and not honing their naturally God given talents?
Anyway, at the end of the day, if we use our talents and accidentally cut our own heads off in the process, the answer is to pick our heads up and stick them back on, and continue.
Everyone makes mistakes, even the highest of all talented people make mistakes.
The difference I think between the King Arthurs, and the ordinary footman, isn’t so much a given talent, but a willingness to use that talent, make mistakes and learn from the mistakes.
No one is born great. Not even Kings.
Like you said, Skills need to be honed, and it doesn’t matter if you are King Arthur with an Excalibur, or a lowly born like Lancelot (who was the Kings finest), everyone can excel if they put in the effort.
Like I said, wasn’t trying to be contrary, just hope you can sift through what I mean as something complimentary / ancillary to your own post.
[I don't really have time to sort it out better in my head. Sorry.]
February 23rd, 2006 at 4:31 pm
well, i don’t think this particular somebody i’m writing about knows its a mistake though, dabido.
February 23rd, 2006 at 6:41 pm
Nicely written piece, Minishorts…
I think that the sword that is brandished will always be doubled-edged, and in the hands of a much fallible individual (both you and I are not exempt), is bound to be either accidentally misused or abused - that is unavoidable… especially when the owner and wielder gets inflated by his/her own sense of power..and all that it promises.
February 23rd, 2006 at 7:08 pm
minishorts is hawt!
February 24th, 2006 at 4:06 am
Um. “wisdom and care” I think.
I get what you mean of course…but since I’m being difficult… Excalibur is double-edged, in keeping with the style of all medieval swords of that period. The literal fact kinda spoils the metaphor you’re going for.
In relation to this particular person you’re talking about, personally I think the metaphor of the Sword of Damocles couldn’t be more apt. The connection to Arthur by association can only boost the ego to greater celestial heights.
That said, aiming that particular ego towards a black hole might not be a bad idea.
February 24th, 2006 at 3:32 pm
MiniShorts - I’ll take your word for it. As I don’t know who you’re writing about it’s difficult for me to comment much more, than in a general sort of a way.
Seems like Spot and some others may know who you mean, so I can’t really comment more than what I have.
February 24th, 2006 at 6:40 pm
Minishorts is hot!