In a Tale of Two Cities Charles Dickens introduces the character Sydney Carton. He has a brilliant mind and is a successful lawyer but he is filled with self-loathing and is an alcoholic. He has squandered his talents and views his life as wasted.
He loves a woman and tries to be a better person for her. Unfortunately she loves another man. At the end of the book Carton is placed in a position where he can save the life of that other man but only at the cost of his own life.
As he goes to his death Dickens writes the thoughts going through Sydney Carton mind. He wrote: “It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known.”
In going to his death Carton completed his Hero’s Journey. Even though he had lived a less than desirable life, he was still able to complete the ultimate heroic act and save another life.
No matter where we are in life or what we have done up to this point each of us can take our own Hero’s Journey. To begin simply requires being willing to act. It is easy to be cynical or nihilistic. It is easy to spot problems in society and complain about them. Such actions can never lead to a Heroic journey. The journey will not be easy and it will require sacrifices but in the end it can lead to a happiness and fulfillment that can only be achieved by taking risks.
We must find a cause that attracts us, be willing to take risks and seek adventure. New opportunities will arise and life will take on new meaning. As we progress along our life journey seeking opportunities to make a difference we will be able to lay down to sleep and find a far better rest than we have ever known.
Thomas Aquinas is credited as one of the greatest proponents of natural law. During his time in Cologne he was taught by Albertus Magnus. Magnus used the teachings of Aristotle in his mentorship of Thomas Aquinas.
Samuel Adams believed in American Independence from Great Britain. He is one of the most well know Son's of Liberty. On August 1, 1776 he gave a speech to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia.
The wolves were on the move. The hunt for land and wealth created an insatiable desire for action. The principalities of Russia had proved to be an easy feeding ground. Riazan, Moscow, Vladimir had all fallen. Kiev would be taken in 1240. The Golden Horde marched west and conquered at will. They were the enemy from the east.
Novgorod was a strategically important city. It was located along the major trade routes of the day. This also made it a wealthy city. Batu as leader of the Golden Horde would clearly like to add its wealth to his conquest.
The Swedes to the west also desired to conquer the city. Surrounded by enemies on both sides this was a precarious time for Novgorod.
Alexander was the prince of Novgorod and the fate of the city rested on his shoulders. His leadership qualities would be put to the test. The Golden Horde wanted tribute. The Swedes wanted to take the land and impose their values and their brand of Christianity on the region. Both enemies would take slaves and ruthlessly murder ...
“Among the prisoners were men from subject tribes whom the Germans had pressed into their service. These Alexander released and on their departure he said to them go and tell them all in foreign lands that Russia lives. Let them without fear come to us as guests. But he that comes against us with a sword shall perish by the sword. Such is the law of the land of Russia and such it will always be!”
Pular Lecture Series - Alexander Nevsky - 1943
