Two days ago I had an enlightening conversation. I had dinner with Father Giulio, something in between a banker of the Church – naturally the only one which matters – and former member of the communist party after ’89, i.e. defeated. I would like to have him as a personal confessor, but he’s just a good friend.
As any other young person struggling in the global professional race – yes, i’m still young with a nice packaging – sometimes i ask myself if I’m on the right path (though not too frequently) and look for senior people to get some feedback. It doesn’t mean that I have to listen to what they say but it’s nice listening to them talking about me.
Since we were in a sort of working class restaurant – it was written on the door – and keen on alcohol I decided to take the opportunity and mine his wisdom. I didn’t know what I was letting myself in for. My attempt didn’t bring the expected results, but did yield some interesting unintended gems.
I knew that my interlocutor was experienced and cunning but I couldn’t resist and suddenly I asked him “Giulio, when was the first time you realized you couldn’t change the world?” He lifted his head with the calm of someone who doesn’t have anything to lose, locked me in a patronising gaze that only a father of many years can master, and replied: “You can’t understand. I’m part of a world which doesn’t exist anymore. My brothers and sisters stood shoulder to shoulder with our parents to overcome the conflicts and compromises of Italy following the Second World War”.
He continued with an even more patronizing tone: “Don’t even try. You can’t. This is the past. Don’t care and go ahead” At that point I felt like Tancredi addressed by Burt Lancaster as the Prince of Salina in the Leopard. “People like me, Communists and Catholics, are just the past. I understand them. You can’t.”
Closing statement: “You think you are smart and persuasive but actually my generation doesn’t understand you and your ideas. We were just like you as you are”.
I’m stubborn and couldn’t accept my curiosity being so easily dismissed. So I re-focussed my arguments and attacked again: “Ok, I’m not part of that world and can’t understand it. We play in a new world with new rules. Fine. I understand this and agree. However, how can I assess success and failure? How can I be successful?”
I thought: “I got it! This is the right question and now he must give me an answer!” Surprise surprise, it wasn’t him that struggled with the turn in the conversation, but myself, again.
His face shifted to display an infantile surprise as he suddenly replied: “It’s not about you and you career. Your network makes the difference and its success will be your success. You don’t really matter.”
Like Saint Paul on his way to Damascus, I fell down from the horse of my presumptions, realising that I will never be a Communist or a Catholic ,(so there’s no way for me to return to Italy), because I am a natural born networker and this is the key of success. Thanks to God, mummy and daddy. And thanks to Father Giulio, who has changed my life.
If you want your life changed too rush and contact him. He’s always waiting for you, and will give you the answers you need.
Cosa fa VITA?
Da 30 anni VITA è la testata di riferimento dell’innovazione sociale, dell’attivismo civico e del Terzo settore. Siamo un’impresa sociale senza scopo di lucro: raccontiamo storie, promuoviamo campagne, interpelliamo le imprese, la politica e le istituzioni per promuovere i valori dell’interesse generale e del bene comune. Se riusciamo a farlo è grazie a chi decide di sostenerci.