“How should one live to consider their life a success? Is it wasteful to live simply, detached from worldly pursuits?”
These profound words come from the renowned writer, Maugham. They resonate deeply with those who have come across them.
In our youthful days, many are caught up in the romantic allure of poetry and distant dreams, often overlooking the simple joys of life. But as we age and experience the highs and lows of life, we come to realize that “true success lies in shaping our lives into something we love.”
In “The Moon and Sixpence,” the experiences of stockbroker Charles, his wife Amy, and their friend Stroeve all illustrate this notion. Facing significant life changes during their middle years, they initially feel overwhelmed. But in the end, they all find their own sense of fulfillment. Life has taught them that a good life is achieved by daring to let go, accepting with grace, holding on when necessary, and bravely being oneself.
1. Let Go of What You Can’t Change
Life is full of uncertainties. Anticipations often end in disappointments, and joys can turn into sorrows. Given this, it’s wise to let go of past disappointments to make room for future happiness.
In “The Moon and Sixpence,” Amy embodies this wisdom. Daughter of a diplomat, she falls in love with Charles during a seaside vacation. They quickly fall in love, marry, and start a family. Although Charles may seem ordinary, he provides a comfortable and happy life for his family, which brings Amy immense joy. However, one autumn afternoon, a letter from Charles freezes her happy life in time. In the letter, Charles reveals his decision to leave Amy and move to Paris to study painting.
Heartbroken and tearful, Amy struggles to understand Charles’ sudden departure. But life must go on. While she sends friends to Paris to persuade Charles to return, she also strives to maintain a semblance of normalcy. When she hears that Charles refuses to come back, she’s devastated. However, she soon realizes that while the years they spent together were beautiful, life can continue without him.
Thinking this way, Amy pulls herself together and dives into a new life. As Maugham writes, “Perhaps all the hardships she faced weren’t entirely pointless; they might be leading her to a peaceful place.” Amy learns shorthand and typing, expanding her skills across the city. In just five years, she becomes a leader in the document processing industry. No longer a fragile woman who cries at challenges, Amy stands strong even after life’s harshest blows.
Love, in its essence, serves as a powerful lesson. It teaches that in matters of the heart, it’s better to let go before getting too deep. Redirecting one’s path is often better than being stubbornly misguided. When you dare to let go of an unchangeable past, you open doors to future happiness.
2. Accept What Has Happened
While Amy was forging her path in London, Charles in Paris was not faring as well in his quest to study painting. Described as “wearing a tattered coat, unkempt with a long, unshaved beard,” Charles was struggling, splitting his time between learning and selling his artwork. Fortunately, he met Stroeve, a Dutch painter. Though Stroeve’s own painting skills were modest, he had a sharp eye for talent. He recognized the genius in Charles and predicted that his art would be celebrated for generations. Stroeve offered his friendship and support, and on Christmas Eve, learning that Charles was gravely ill, brought him into his home for care, entrusting his wife Blanche with his recuperation.
But life took another unexpected turn. Blanche fell in love with Charles and decided to leave with him, despite knowing the risks. The departure shattered Stroeve. However, soon after, Charles departed again, leaving Blanche heartbroken, leading her to tragically take her own life. Discovering a portrait of Blanche among her belongings, Stroeve’s first instinct was to destroy it. Yet, he hesitated, recognizing its brilliance, a true “work of the soul.” At that moment, Stroeve found peace. He embraced the highs and lows life had dealt him and decided to start anew. He understood that dwelling on the past only deepens the wounds. Instead, embracing what has happened can lighten life’s burdens and reveal a brighter path ahead.
3. Persist in What You Love
Charles’s belief was, “Every uphill road has its reason to be tread, just as every downward slope has its reason for its direction.” Persistence, then, becomes the key to beauty. Inspired by his portrait of Blanche, Charles yearned for a sanctuary for his soul. This took him from Paris to an ocean liner bound for San Francisco. One day, the silhouette of an island appeared on the horizon, and as it drew closer, it felt eerily familiar to Charles. This place, he believed, was his destiny. This was Tahiti.
There, Charles thrived. He married a local woman named Ata and they settled in the heartland. Surrounded by nature’s abundance, Charles was free from daily worries, pouring his heart into his artwork. His creativity flourished, drawing inspiration from everything around him – nursing mothers, playing children, resting friends. His art became a sensation, with many praising its breathtaking beauty. These days, isolated in nature, were Charles’s happiest. He had found his life’s calling: to listen to his heart, persist with undivided attention, and live a life filled with joy.
Ancient Greek wisdom from the Temple of Delphi reads: “Know Thyself.” It’s an age-old topic, with answers often only found after life’s trials and tribulations. Amy chose to leave the past behind in pursuit of future happiness; Stroeve found peace by accepting life’s unexpected turns; Charles persisted in his passion, ensuring he had no regrets. Their stories teach us one fundamental truth: no one is born mediocre; it’s only when we resist change that we become so.
May We All, In Our Pursuit of Dreams and Life
Face life’s twists with the courage to let go, the wisdom to accept, and the determination to give it our all. Only then can we truly harvest a better life. After all, our lives belong to us and it’s up to us to live them fully.
