Security is when everything is settled. When nothing can happen to you. Security is the denial of life
Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing
Since my last communication a number of dramatic things happened in our world. I’m thinking of the split in the ANC and the resulting announcement of the new political party COPE, the election of Barack Obama as America’s first black president and the ongoing instability in the financial markets with fears of worldwide recession. Many things in our country and our world interfere with our sense of security. For many people a grim economic outlook translates into certain levels of anxiety and depression. Unpleasant surprises in life will always be … unpleasant surprises. What really matters is how we can respond to those challenges. As we know as individuals, as families, as organisations and as nations, we are only really tested in terms of our quality, our character and our resilience when the going gets tough. When unpredictable and far-reaching things happen in our lives, we are not so much tested in terms of our talent, our skills, our image, our reputation, our wealth or our resources and connections as we are challenged in the inner theatre of our thoughts, beliefs, values, principles, wisdom and character. If we cannot rise to the challenges we experience at the core of our existence, the attack on our minds and our spirits where fear and disappointments can rob us from all meaning and purpose, then all the rest counts for nothing. If we feel unable to cope in a world of disappointments and a world of instability, we become cynical, indifferent and unhappy – and we want others to feel the same. The problem is that in the kind of world that we are living in today much emphasis is placed on the amount of energy and time one needs to invest (and the discipline one has to apply) to build a successful exterior, but we seldom hear or talk about the sacrifice and discipline needed to build the more important inner strengths. It is how we live in the good times that determines how we respond to the challenges of hard times.
As surely as the year 2008 will come to an end, our earthly lives will also come to an end. This is a much needed perspective if we want to live the meaningful lives that we know we all want to live. If we don’t remind ourselves of this fact – which is the only earthly thing we can know for certain about our future – we could so easily be deceived into a lifelong strive for the illusionary absolute security. In reality it is more fighting life than living life. It is like swimming against the stream. Think for a moment how much of your dreams and planning is driven by the desire to secure a comfortable and stable life. As the two quotes above want to remind us, we often might come close to denying life and nature as it really is. Rather, we should embrace life as a daring adventure. More daring than doing extreme sports or explorations is to follow a calling to make a difference in the lives of others. Albert Einstein said only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile and Norman MacEwan said happiness is not so much in having as sharing. We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.
With 2009 on our doorstep I hope I can inspire you to live life not in fear but in faith. Go where your faith will be strengthened. Spend time with people who not only share your faith but help you to grow it. Read what is uplifting, experience what is pure and natural and find it in yourself to thank and appreciate others and life in general. Then, in 2009, lead with that faith, build others up when they are down, reach out to those that suffer, make your best contributions to your work organisation with heart and spirit and face the challenges courageously. Elie Wiesel said the following wise words:
The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference.
The opposite of art is not ugliness, it's indifference.
The opposite of faith is not heresy, it's indifference.
And the opposite of life is not death, it's indifference.
Leaders never allow themselves to become indifferent. They care, they inspire and they find the passion in their souls. Henry James said: ‘Be not afraid of life. Believe that life is worth living, and your belief will help create the fact.’ As Stephen Covey also reminds us, whatever is at the center of our life will be the source of our security, guidance, wisdom, and power.
My best wishes for the rest of 2008. Have a blessed Christmas and very special 2009.
Gerhard
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