Idea 32: Setting your course
It's not enough to be busy. The question is: What are you busy about?
Henry Thoreau
The first and greatest Principle of War – ‘Selection and Maintenance of the Aim’ – also applies to peace. As John Milton wrote,
Peace has its victories.
Your purpose or chief aim is more like the Pole Star – you won't ever reach it or touch it, but it does give you a sense of direction in life. It divides mere busy-ness from purposeful busy-ness. Avoid Alice's condition in Lewis Carroll's fable:
‘Cheshire Puss … would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?’
‘That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,’ said the Cat.
‘I don't much care where–’ said Alice.
‘Then it doesn't matter which way you go,’ said ...
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