HEAVY LIES THE CROWN…
"Heavy is the head that wears the crown" -- is a great quote! Not only does it mean.., someone in a leadership role (like the president, king, queen, boss, parents) has many responsibilities, and it ain't easy… It also means, they worry constantly. The obligation of such privilege, if understood and taken seriously -- to lead.., and be followed, requires you to be beyond reproach.
Too bad it's a misquote!
The original quote, to which it is attributed (stolen from) is from William Shakespeare's King Henry IV…
And in the calmest and most stillest night, With all appliances and means to boot,
Deny it to a king? Then happy low, lie down! Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.”
And King Henry is feeling the pressure, for sure… Fraught with thoughts of his own assassination -- he is definitely feeling the.., weight of the crown. The meaning of this quote, transcends time, as in the character Tony Soprano -- from the HBO series The Sopranos. Being the one of the biggest bosses in the Mob, has a huge amount of responsibilities and they manifest themselves in completely debilitating panic attacks. Or Michael Corleone, in The Godfather (both fears assassination btw). It's a perfect misquote.
While somethings change, others will always remain the same...
There are tons of famous misquotes, that you probably thought were uttered by one of your hero's or idols -- that are complete bullshit, they never said it.., or wrote it. Like -- "Be yourself, everyone else is take..," you are probably under the impression, this is a quote from, none other than.., Oscar Wilde -- NOT. The actual quote is -- “One’s real life is so often the life that one does not lead.”
A good misquote is a double-edged sword… While you can totally believe, the person you think said it -- actually said it… I mean, for it to truly be a good misquote, it has to capture the persons very nature -- and the good ones really do. On the other hand, because a good misquote can spread like a weed, we all wind up misinformed.
But "Heavy is the head that wears the crown" is easily one of the top 10 most used misquotes, throughout time… It's just as relevant today as it was, when the one in power feared losing his head -- literally. We can see it in our "leaders" of today -- just look at how much grey hair both Barack Obama and George Bush left the oval office with…
Being a leader.., the person in the position to call the shots for large (sometimes very large) amounts of people, may look and seem kinda glamorous, but there are a never ending amount of responsibilities (everything!).., which can, and will, take there toll on your mental and physical health. The weight of the lives of so many all on your shoulders, never giving your mind a moments rest -- will eventually get to the best of us.
Think about becoming a parent for the first time, the moment you held that newborn in your arms.., and after the immense joy that fills your being -- the overwhelming sense of responsibility that follows… You are completely responsible for this new life -- now times that by millions!"
There has definitely got to be a certain amount of narcissism.., in anyone willing to subject themselves to such an overwhelming endeavor (as we can also see in our leaders of today)… Don't get me wrong.., it's an admirable undertaking -- maybe the most. But for any one person to truly believe the are up to a task of such magnitude -- you better have a little narcissist in you.., or you ain't got a chance…
Responsibility Knows No Bounds
The weight of responsibility, as implied in this timeless quote.., can be a lot to bear… The sense of obligation to something greater than yourself, is more responsibility.., most are willing to tackle. When the lives of many.., rely on your decisions being spot on, every time -- those same decisions take on a much greater depth of thought, almost a physical weight.
It's one thing being responsible for nobody but yourself, or sharing responsibility with others…, but once you assume a role of leadership -- by birthright or choice, you have unconsciously agreed to abandon all frivolous and reckless behavior.., and understand, intuitively -- you now have to weigh your decisions with great care…
In times of great turbulence, which there are sure to be.., when the wind is not at your back, but slamming you so hard in your face, it straightens your stance… The weight can be so great, you feel the walls around you closing in.., and the preverbal shit is hitting the fan -- "Heavy is the head that wears the crown."
from none other than.., William Shakespeare himself, when he wrote --
"With great power comes great responsibility."
It is easy to see why this quote has been used so much, since the time of Shakespeare… And why it is one of the more popular go-to quotes for movies, plays, or in our own personal life.., where the character feels an overwhelming sense of responsibility… This set of perfectly laid out words, when uttered in this context, could not ring more true.., and not only do we understand it, but we (as an audience) can empathize with it… Even though leadership roles come in many shapes and sizes.., the weight of responsibility remains the same.
But the privilege to be in a position of leadership, the fact that so many look to you, for qualities they do not possess -- your guidance, strength.., their never-ending faith that when push comes to shove.., your hands don't shake… All the while, maintaining.., not just, your values and standards.., but those of the many -- this kind of privilege, this sacred trust.., if met with honor and grace (meaning you don't lose your shit!), is what can see you through.., and maybe even lighten some of that weight.
But make no mistake, the meaning behind.., "heavy lies the head that wears the crown" as proven throughout history, time and time again, will always exist.., and it will always mean exactly what it says… It's a tough job, but someone's gotta do it!
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fun read, thanks @macksby!
Thanks @natureofbeing... :))
Really enjoyed this post, thanks.
Cheers, bro!