Ambition

[Mariann Shapiro]

wow Grace, You said it all, thank you, so well put. 
I too have become more ambitious since entering the psychodrama arena 7 years ago. When I am in the right mix, I am ambitious for the process, not for myself. During the past 7 years, I have gained enough tools, personally and professionally, to fall back on that even when it looks like 'failure' it is only more information and so my spontaneity comes in--we/I try something different. I feel supported in the Psychodramatic and Sociometric frame and can move forward with more vitality and sure footedness and even when shakey, that too is acceptable. My ambition now feels more about connection for all of us, than having to prove or compare myself. I like Grouptalk, it heps me feel part of an even larger community. Marianne Shapiro, Bow, WA
  Kia ora Peter,

   

  I too have thought long and hard on ambition.  Here are some thought from me:

   

  When I worked fully in the community and education sectors I always considered I had little ambition, and I took this as a given about myself.  Having taken the plunge into creating a lifestyle for myself that centres on promoting psychodrama and Morenian processes in ALL I do, I find that my ambition to make it work is what gets me up and going in the morning!  It is also what sustains me when my flaws and foibles get away on me and I don't manage to create what I am seeking (i.e. I fail).  It also assists greatly assisting me to identify the criteria for making choices, whether it be who I associate with, how I construct my support networks, what work I do etc.  Yay for ambition I say!

   

  I have found that the tendency for psychodrama to be practiced mainly as a therapeutic and community-based method here in Aotearoa New Zealand (and probably Australia) has had a significant influence on a range of factors influencing in promotion of the method.  This includes, I would suggest with a little trepidation, a somewhat conserved response to what 'forms' of ambition are 'acceptable' and what do not 'go' with their notion of the 'spirit of psychodrama'.   I have observed people from other sectors come into the community and initially become very excited about the potential application of the method for their own work.  However it seems they tend to go again after a relatively short period of time satisfied that they have gained personally but discouraged and sometimes disillusioned that there is any application in a wider context.  

   

  From my own experience my observation is that ambition is an expression of spontaneity, not sparked by comfort (a little like spontaneity), nor nurtured by isolation (ditto).  I have watched my ambition grow as I get closer to being able to live spontaneously in all aspects of my life.  My understanding of Moreno's method and his notion of sociatry, is that it is 'inclusive' of all that exists as human endeavour, and when I read his work, such as Who shall Survive? and the Words of the Father, I feel encouraged that Moreno saw his method applied widely for the benefit of humankind whatever the context.  I find this very exciting!

   

  I'm not sure if this is the sort of thing you were asking about, but here you go anyway.

  Cheers

  Grace 

   

   

   


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  From: list-bounces at grouptalkweb.org [mailto:list-bounces at grouptalkweb.org] On Behalf Of Peter Howie
  Sent: Friday, 21 July 2006 11:47 a.m.
  To: list at grouptalkweb.org
  Subject: Ambition

   

  Hi all,

  I've been thinking recently about what keeps me going at times, what keeps others going and thing of this nature. Watching Frank Lowy in a documentary, a multi-billionaire Aussie with 180 mega-shopping complexes around the world, who funded the turn-around of Australian soccer/football and helped get us to international status, when asked what kept him going he said he was still full of ambition.

  I'm imagining that J L Moreno was also full of ambition, ambition to do many things, one of which was to promote and teach his remarkable method and to try and set up systems to support its ongoing practice, teaching, methodological review and improvement and philosophical development. 

  I'm thinking on this and wondering about my own level of ambition. Psychodramatists with ambition that I know of would be Kate with the Spiral model work, Marcia Karp, Max Clayton - and there would be heaps of others. I am not thinking about abilities or skills as a trainer, educator or practitioner. More about their ambition to relentlessly push forward in creating a world that they would like to live in, surrounded by colleagues who support and challenge them and keeping going despite their own human flaws and foibles.

  Anyway - this rises for me as I contemplate doing things a bit differently around here with how I spend my time promoting psychodrama and Morenian processes. How much do I have. Ho much do those around me support or parallel me. Things like this.

  So how does this idea of ambition sit with some of you?

  Cheers for now

  Peter Howie
  Brisbane, Australia



   



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