A Gift From the Greeks, Via Pindar...

Nothing is certain in life, absolutely nothing. Our birth is or was, for sure, and so is the inevitability of our demise in the form of death. One would think this common denominator would unite us all to not care about offenses and slights we receive from others, nor attach so much importance to our goals and visions which in time become our lifelong careers and pursuits. We strive for perfection and attainment, to do the right thing or commit the act that would help and benefit our fellow humanity. Hard work and effort as well as commitment will pay off one day, so it is said, and it is true to some extent that those who commit somewhat have a better chance of realizing their dreams. Yet only some achieve their dreams and attain their goals. There are a multitude who strive as hard as anyone else and achieve nothing but regret and tears in their older age, providing they live long enough to remember their struggle. Life is strange and unfair, to say the least.

Creatures for a day! What is a man? What is he not?

A dream of a shadow, our mortal being

When there comes to men A gleam of splendor given of heaven       

Then rests on them a light of glory

And blessed are their days. 

Creatures for a day! What is a man?

What is he not?  

The ancient Greek poet Pindar sang the praises of those athletes of the Olympic games who committed to physical perfection every day of their lives, men and women who dedicated every waking moment to perfection. To these individuals Pindar suggested praise and glory, for they strived to achieve immortality in so doing. However, Pindar also acknowledged that fate, whom he identified and being associated with divinity or heaven, was the real reason behind one's success. Some would strive and attain, exercising and working towards perfecting their physical being and their sport every day, while others would work just as hard and be forgotten. Perhaps an accident would put an end to their career. Perhaps in a race some unknown would usurp the garland crown of glory, leaving the defeated to sulk in their own tears of despair. Such is life for all of us, regardless of what career or calling we adhere to or struggle towards.

If ever a man should strive with all his soul's endeavor

Sparing himself neither expense nor labor to attain true excellence
Then must we give to those who have achieved the goal 

A proud tribute of lordly praise 
Shunning all thoughts of envious jealousy.
To a poet's mind the gift is slight
To speak a kind word for unnumbered toils
And build for all to share, a monument of beauty. 

According to Pindar, life is not fair. While he wasn't the first to acknowledge this fact he certainly was not ashamed to admit to the commonly agreed upon truth of unfairness in life, as he was a product of that analytical and a very much to-the-point civilization, ancient Greece. We strive, and should do so as best we could. Those who attain their desires certainly should be praised for their victories and achievements but we have to remember that not all of us will attain, and not because we didn't try hard enough either. Ancient Greek society didn't lie about the reality of our existence. They saw their world as a violent and harsh place that could possibly be made better by human beings willing to strive and indeed willing to accept suffering in that striving. The human being was the center of the universe, so the human should strive for perfection. This is why the Olympic games were so important in ancient Greek society, as these games stressed the perfection and achievement of the individual. The gods sat upon Mount Olympus and played their own games with the lives of humans, as well as other gods. In the Greek myths we read how humans seek to outwit the gods, thus cheat and trick nature and impending fate because the gods/nature/fate were cruel, not merciful. Hercules struggles with being a half mortal, demonstrates his strength and kills mercilessly but regrets his fate in life, and his destiny. While on his long, perilous quest for the Golden Fleece Jason loses many of his men in his travels in many violent ways. At one point he frustratingly throws the figure of Hera, adorning the bowsprit of his ship, into the sea proclaiming "one day men will learn to live without the gods". Greek society was unique in the ancient world in that it was Man, not God, that deserved true praise. Zeus was all powerful, and like his fellow gods and goddesses wasn't a deity to be trusted. His intervention wasn't always beneficial or helpful, in fact most of the time he was harmful- very much like human beings. 
Perhaps the greatest teaching legacy of the ancient Greeks to their children was that no one is promised tomorrow, nor does every story in our lives have a happy ending. Not always do the characters of a tale 'live happily ever after'. This may sound negative to us today, having been somewhat lulled to sleep by stories of hope and the promise of a better tomorrow. Technology and science has in some ways alleviated us of the burdens and sadness of living in the ancient era. Yet, one factor remains constant- we are not promised tomorrow, nor is everyone's life a hunky dory sugar coated dream cake. 

Divinity achieves all it’s purpose and fulfills it’s every hope

Divinity, who can overtake the winged eagle

Or upon the sea outstrip the dolphin

Bending the arrogant heart of many a man, yet
Gives to others eternal glory that will never fade 

Live life and enjoy it. Strive for the best while you are in it, seek to attain what you can. Proudly receive the awards. If you don't attain that which you have put every effort into, expect sadness, tears and despair to take hold. This is natural. Rise up and try again, but don't worry about failing even after you have tried with all your best effort. Fate has it's own agenda, but remember, you also have yours. This understanding of reality is another gift from the ancient Greeks, teaching us even today how to truly live and be human, without honey coating the worked and kneaded pastry we call our life.