We the people
A world bereft of virtuous leadership. A value system based upon consumerism, narcissistic gratification and fake news, supported and perpetuated by social and mass media. Inexorably the lines defined by decency, sensitivity and genuine self-awareness blur and with the disappearing frame of reference we are called upon to re-define ourselves and our very purpose of being. Change is in the making but its birthing will be associated with the necessary pain. What emerges will be the product of the collective whose choices will emerge from a very different world from the one that we inherited. For it could be said that in creating the technological and consumeristic-based environment, our generation laid the foundations for its eventual demise. But history and indeed the sciences illustrate the cyclical nature of existence. The old is replenished by the new, rising out of the ashes of that which has run its course and invariably has destroyed itself.
I believe that the current world leadership as well as the many in positions of power and influence, are mere players that fulfill the roles that the prevailing circumstances have appropriately fashioned. But this too shall pass. For nothing is more constant than perpetual change. Those that follow us will create a new structure which will inevitably incorporate the sustaining components of the current environment and discard that which has become redundant. Indeed there shall be disruption and pain and the center may not hold. But I already feel the excitement of a new beginning based on the existing, vast resources and the new generation beginning to gain traction. For us caught up in the insecurity of global change it is important to keep our chins up and embrace a renewal already under way. To contribute a little inspiration at this time, I quote from the “Meditations” of Marcus Aurelius, Emperor of Rome, an archetypal Stoic and arguably one of the greatest leaders of all time. His timeless insights once again have relevance to our times.
Book Six, paragraph 50: Try to persuade them but act even if they are not persuaded, whenever the principle of justice so directs. But if someone forcibly resists, change tack to an unhurt acceptance, so using the obstacle to bring forth a different virtue. And remember you set out on a conditional course – you were not aiming at the impossible. So what were you aiming at? An impulse qualified by a condition. This you have achieved: what we proposed to ourselves has been accomplished.
Book Six, paragraph 51: How to understand your own good: the lover of glory takes it to be the reactions of others; the lover of pleasure takes it to be his own passive experience; the intelligent man sees it as his own action.
Book Six, paragraph 53: Accustom yourself not to be disregarding of what someone else has to say: as far as possible enter into the mind of the speaker.
Book Six, paragraph 54: What does not benefit the hive does not benefit the bee either.
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Comments
Jerry Fletcher
4 years ago #23
Robert Cormack
4 years ago #22
Ian Weinberg
4 years ago #21
Astute observations Robert. Two guys have actually done a serious study of this. If you haven’t already seen/read their work, check out The Forth Turning by Strauss and Howe (they also have a website). Profound stuff.
Robert Cormack
4 years ago #20
Ian Weinberg
4 years ago #19
Agreed Cyndi. Echo’s of many of my core beliefs in your comprehensive comment.
Cyndi wilkins
4 years ago #18
Cyndi wilkins
4 years ago #17
Ian Weinberg
4 years ago #16
Truly humbled.
Ian Weinberg
4 years ago #15
Absolutely profound words Praveen. There is nothing more that I can add to this timeless wisdom except to bow my head in acknowledgement and respect.
Ian Weinberg
4 years ago #14
Indeed Harvey - to approach that which is authentic and sustaining for the many, we need to enter into a non-judgemental, non-disparaging dialogue. This necessarily is a space characterized by mutual respect where collaboration is the medium. But from this space, the individual must also take responsibility of ownership of what was said as well as for its consequences. Regarding self-awareness, I believe that this is the critical first step to enhancing one's general awareness. Ultimately it is the degree of self-awareness which determines our awareness of the greater environment.
Ian Weinberg
4 years ago #13
John, I agree - don't mess with a good thing. But in the context that I referred to, change is not a reflection of a specific choice. It's a process that represents the culmination of multiple influences and forces that no one person or groups of persons decide.
Ian Weinberg
4 years ago #12
Thanks Jim.
Jim Murray
4 years ago #11
John Rylance
4 years ago #10
Hopefully you will (re)invent a type of wheel that meets requirements. There is no wheel that fits all needs. Equally there is no wrong wheel shape just ones that are more fit for purpose than others.
John Rylance
4 years ago #9
Harvey Lloyd
4 years ago #8
Pascal Derrien
4 years ago #7
Ian Weinberg
4 years ago #6
Nay Ken. Looks like we’re going to have to go down with them and re-invent the wheel.
Ian Weinberg
4 years ago #5
The folly of battling upstream. Better to go with the flow and enjoy the ride.
Ken Boddie
4 years ago #4
CityVP Manjit
4 years ago #3
Ian Weinberg
4 years ago #2
Indeed Cyndi wilkins Thanks for that.
Cyndi wilkins
4 years ago #1