In discussing his 1993 movie The Age of Innocence, famous filmmaker Martin Scorsese said it depicted people not unlike ourselves: “We have the same problems of wanting things that we can’t have and having things that we don’t want.”
Among the acknowledgments we want is recognition for our best efforts, not professional rejection. That’s where Jimmy Carter’s life comes in—the deceased 39th President of the United States.
In the 1980 presidential election, approximately 50 million voters told Carter to get out—four years was enough. He won only 41% of the vote.
It is a painful thing to realize your mate wants no part of you, but the scale of humiliation Carter endured was off the charts. He was left with a monster-sized campaign debt, to boot.
Carter described the emotion of it all some years later at a meeting of prominent U.S. CEOs. The audience included Bernie Marcus, the co-founder of Home Depot. Marcus had just told of his own awful experience of being dismissed from a job.
Bernie, that is how I felt, except, I wasn’t fired by a board manipulated by an activist, I was fired by the American people—in the spotlight and left with no purpose and my dream shattered and no financier to back me. But I am dedicated to waging peace.
Scorcese’s movie, based on Edith Wharton’s novel of the same name, depicts late 19th-century New York high society. Despite status and wealth, they were a gossiping, competitive, and unhappy group. Carter had reason to be crushed by his loss, but he didn’t submit to the pettiness Wharton depicted.
Lavish dinners, foreign trips, and bespoke clothing—all they possessed—did not put them at ease, allow them to be themselves, or generate any sense of gratitude.
Jimmy Carter lived differently past the pomp and circumstance of his time as Chief Executive.
—
Humankind, never satisfied it owns enough of everything, including time, now puts time on bullet-speed roller skates. The 21st-century life unknown to Wharton left horses, buggies, and messengers behind. Taking their place are jet travel, computerized phones in everyone’s pocket, and an urgency to display personal uniqueness.
In our smaller world, the ambition to become famous grows larger.
Few would complain if the top of the mountain of renown made us happier. Scorsese, however, said we remain unsatisfied. Given the level of daily animus and finger-pointing, including some who seek revenge—it is hard to disagree with him.
Yet James Earl Carter, Jr. left a different model of living.
Active almost until his death at 100, his achievements in his long life stagger the imagination. Unlike most past presidents, he chose not to retire. The former commander-in-chief promoted world peace, resolved diplomatic stalemates, and worked to build homes for the homeless. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1992. His marriage of 77 years remains a model of why love matters. His work demonstrated the gift of offering love to one’s neighbors.
Neither wanting to return to the White House nor “getting and spending” propelled Carter’s good works. This former Navy Lieutenant taught Sunday School until his health began to fail. His religious faith motivated the desire to serve.
In this undated photo, Jimmy Carter gets his bars pinned on by his wife, Rosalynn, left, and his mother, Mrs. Lillian Carter, at the U.S. Naval Academy. (AP Photo)
An ancient Greek adage reminds us, “A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.”
President James Earl Carter, Jr. spent his life growing those trees.
Americorps offers a tribute here.
