Will I love Consolations?

I grew up believing ambition to be a virtue. I assumed it was a positive trait to have, to aspire to. And then, I read this definition by David Whyte, and my whole outlook changed. 

“Ambition left to itself, like a Rupert Murdoch, always becomes tedious, its only object the creation of larger and larger empires of control.” I no longer aspire to be ambitious, because it doesn’t coexist with cooperation, sharing, and communal good. 

I have a fondness for etymology, studying the origin of words. But to do so with 52 words and a poet’s guidance? Chef’s kiss. 

I loved the magic of the words and how Whyte took ordinary every day feelings and made me reflect on them. The book felt like a friend on my nightstand that I could always turn to. It is simple and beautiful and brought me feelings of peace.

This was an enormously important read for me this year.

Whyte explores the deepest meanings of common words like anger, courage, despair, disappointment, forgiveness, joy, loneliness, regret, silence, and withdrawal. I read this one slowly, a word or two at a time, to digest and savor.

While I disagreed with the meanings he read into every single word, I found so much helpful wisdom and insight here that I have returned to it again and again, and I have shared bits with others.