Reinterpreting History to Ease Our Own Pain

A friend from Church recently forwarded me an online post from an anonymous source which he clearly believed would resonate with those who embrace a more 'conservative' social and political philosophy.

My friend was trying to reinforce a very reasonable point about a very real danger inherent in the anti-US; anti-free market; anti-coal industry; anti-private schools; pro-euthanasia, pro-gay marriage & adoption; pro-unrestricted immigration policies of Senator Bob Brown and his socialist 'Greens' Party. While I agree that their ideologically-blinkered, socialist view of the world is both strategically and financially dangerous and fundamentally at odds with my own Christian views; I was surprised and a little disappointed that the author was attempting to justify his 'conservative platform' by drawing parallels with the 'evils' of Japan in the 1940's and through a string of non sequitors and puerile argument had concluded that the dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki was not only militarily justified but also moral, humane and an action which set the necessary preconditions for Japan's subsequent financial success and happiness [sic].

Here's what the author said...my further comments follow below:

"People forget that there are about 100,000 US Marines who sacrificed their lives to help preserve this country from the Japanese advance in WWII. Thank God it was all so long ago....The commemorative plaque records that 16 hours after the nuking of Nagasaki , "On August 10, 1945 at 0300, the Japanese Emperor without his cabinet's consent decided to end the Pacific War." 

Take a good look at these pictures, folks.This is where World War II ended with total victory of America over Japan . I was there all alone. There were no other visitors and no one lives anywhere near for miles. Visiting the Bomb Pits, walking along deserted Runway Able in solitude, was a moment of extraordinarily powerful solemnity.

It was a moment of deep reflection. Most people, when they think of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, reflect on the numbers of lives killed in the nuclear blasts - at least 70,000 and 50,000 respectively. Being here caused me to reflect on the number of lives saved - how many more Japanese and Americans would have died in a continuation of the war had the nukes not been dropped.Yet that was not all. It's not just that the nukes obviated the US invasion of Japan , Operation Downfall, that would have caused upwards of a million American and Japanese deaths or more. It's that nuking Hiroshima and Nagasaki were of extraordinary humanitarian benefit to the nation and people of Japan. 

Let's go to this cliff on the nearby island of Saipan to learn why: Saipan is less than a mile north of Tinian ... The month before the Marines took Tinian, on June 15, 1944, 71,000 Marines landed on Saipan ... They faced 31,000 Japanese soldiers determined not to surrender.

Banzai Cliffs

Japan had colonised Saipan after World War  I and turned the island into a giant sugar cane plantation. By the time of the Marine invasion, in addition to the 31,000 entrenched soldiers, some 25,000 Japanese settlers were living on Saipan, plus thousands more Okinawans, Koreans, and native islanders brutalised as slaves to cut the sugar cane.

There were also one or two thousand Korean "comfort women" ( kanji in Japanese), abducted young women from Japan 's colony of Korea to service the Japanese soldiers as sex slaves. (See The Comfort Women: Japan 's Brutal Regime of Enforced Prostitution in the Second World War, by George Hicks.)

Within a week of their landing, the Marines set up a civilian prisoner encampment that quickly attracted a couple thousand Japanese and others wanting US food and protection. When word of this reached Emperor Hirohito - who contrary to the myth was in full charge of the war - he became alarmed that radio interviews of the well-treated prisoners broadcast to Japan would subvert his people's will to fight.

As meticulously documented by historian Herbert Bix in Hirohito and the Making of Modern Japan, the Emperor issued an order for all Japanese civilians on Saipan to commit suicide. The order included the promise that, although the civilians were of low caste, their suicide would grant them a status in heaven equal to those honoured soldiers who died in combat for their Emperor. And that is why the precipice in the picture above is known as Suicide Cliff, off which over 20,000 Japanese civilians jumped to their deaths to comply with their fascist emperor's desire - mothers flinging their babies off the cliff first or in their arms as they jumped.

Anyone reluctant or refused, such as the Okinawan or Korean slaves, were shoved off at gunpoint by the Jap soldiers. Then the soldiers themselves proceeded to hurl themselves into the ocean to drown off a sea cliff afterwards called Banzai Cliff. Of the 31,000 Japanese soldiers on Saipan , the Marines killed 25,000, 5,000 jumped off Banzai Cliff, and only the remaining thousand were taken prisoner.

The extent of this demented fanaticism is very hard for any civilised mind to fathom - especially when it is devoted not to anything noble but barbarian evil instead. The vast brutalities inflicted by the Japanese on their conquered and colonised peoples of China , Korea , the Philippines , and throughout their "Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere" was a hideously depraved horror.And they were willing to fight to the death to defend it. So they had to be nuked. The only way to put an end to the Japanese barbarian horror was unimaginably colossal destruction against which they had no defense whatever. Nuking Japan was not a matter of justice, revenge, or it getting what it deserved. It was the only way to end the Japanese dementia.

And it worked - for the Japanese. They stopped being barbarians and started being civilised. They achieved more prosperity - and peace - than they ever knew, or could have achieved had they continued fighting and not been nuked. The shock of getting nuked is responsible. [my 'bold' emphasis]

We achieved this because we were determined to achieve victory. Victory without apologies. Despite perennial liberal demands we do so, America and its government has never apologised for nuking Japan .. Hopefully, America never will."

As a soldier and a student of history, ethics and leadership with many friends today in Korea, China, Indonesia, Russia and Turkey...and Australia, NZ, the UK and the USA; I find it difficult to accept any attempt to ennoble the 'nuking' of Japanese civilians - regardless of the postulated numbers of those who were theoretically 'saved'. To call the 'letting of that genie out of the bottle' a humanitarian act  beggars belief - it is insane. A fantastical, delusional and condemnable rationalisation of what is, by modern standards, and with the benefit of hindsight, almost universally regarded as an unimaginable crime against humanity. Notwithstanding the surprise Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour which 'primarily' targeted naval and military assets, it was not our finest hour!

It is poignant because at this time three Australian Special Forces commandos in Afghanistan are being held accountable for their recent, allegedly reckless actions in which 5 children were killed. While I reserve my opinion concerning the various tactless and self-promoting statements by the Australian Director of Military Prosecutions, I do support the process which has presented sufficient evidence to leave her no alternative but to convene a Military Court Martial. Suffice to say, that charges of "Manslaughter" and "Disobeying lawful commands..." are not levied lightly. We do this because we have learnt from WW2 (Nuremberg Trials) and Vietnam (the Mei Li massacre). We remain accountable..."the ends do not justify the means!"

As a 'first world' country and a civilised people, Australia is a signatory to the Geneva Convention and the UN's seven key human rights treaties. 

www.ag.gov.au/www/agd/agd.nsf/Page/Humanrightsandanti-discrimination_Humanrights

The 'Anzac spirit' is not some loose, poetic, aspirational concept but a statement of deep principles woven it seems into our DNA and demonstrated time and again by the actions of our officers, soldiers, sailors and airmen and women on and over battlefields and at sea for over a century...characteristics such as courage, mateship, initiative, humour, resilience and compassion. My concern is that there appears to be a chorus of 'patriots' insisting that such characteristics are  somehow uniquely ours - determined to claim this moral high ground on behalf of Australia, the Allies, ANZUS, NATO or the Coalition forces?

Ataturk - the father of modern Turkey

Let us not forget the well documented respect of men under Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the Father of modern Turkey, for Australians at Gallipoli...a respect that lives on to this day. Ataturk's words are reprised each Anzac Day in Turkey at Anzac Cove thus:

"Heroes who shed their blood and lost their lives! You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and Mehmets to us where they lie side by side here in this country of ours. You, the mothers, who sent their sons from far away countries wipe away your tears; your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. After having lost their lives on this land they have become our sons as well."— Mustafa Kemal Atatürk

During Gulf War II, Brigadier Maurie McNarn was appointed the Australian National Commander - Middle east Area of Operations for Operation Slipper, Bastille and Falconer (War on terrorism and Iraq War). He was later promoted to the rank of Major General and appointed Director of the Defence Intelligence Organisation - 2004. In 2009, General McNarn became Executive Director (Operations) and University Secretary, University of Queensland. He was four years my senior at the Royal Military College of Australia at Duntroon from which he graduated in 1978.

The Howard Government insisted that Australia's involvement was conditional (among other things) upon our having the right of veto over certain actions and targets. To exercise this veto is known as 'playing the red card' and is not unusual.

In 2003 when I attended the 'Pre-Command Course' before assuming my posting as Commanding Officer of the University of New South Wales Regiment (training and mentoring Army Reserve Officers) General McNarn who is incidentally a former Commandant of RMC and one of the most principled men I have known; explained the circumstances under which he played that card and the often 'heated' consequences. On one particular occasion he withdrew Australia's endorsement of a US proposal to use guided munitions to destroy a building believed to be one of Sadaam's HQs. There was a better than average chance that Sadaam, or at least a few of his infamous lieutenants - later immortalised in those decks of playing cards, were in there. The problem was that they located their HQ on the lower floors of (...I think it was) a hospital....this tactic continues today as terrorists attack our patrols from inside domestic dwellings...effectively sheltering behind their own (or someone else's) women and children. Could the Coalition have destroyed that target? Easily...no question and the war might have been over much sooner had they adopted their enemy's 'take no prisoners - give no quarter' tactics. Frankly, there might have only been only a few hundred civilian deaths (there would have been minimal damage to surrounding buildings as they could hit the hospital in such a way that it would collapse in upon itself) and it could be argued that many in the hospital were on their way out anyway...but you can see where that argument is going can't you?

What did we say about Germans sinking hospital ships during WW2? What did we say about the Nazi officers' defence at Nuremberg that they were " - just following orders? My opinion... not my point - because a point implies that I am right and opposing views are wrong or their proponents misinformed or without the benefit of the view from my own moral high ground; is that such actions as 'nuking' a n y o n e let alone civilians is morally indefensible...and I think that you will find that President Truman did not attempt to justify his actions on the grounds that he was being 'humane'. 

I accept that 'decisions' to do the indefensible may inevitably be necessary...and I hope that I shall never have to make one of them; but I also pray that I shall have the courage to make such decisions, if such are mine to make - and deal with the personal consequences of them...and not still find myself, 65 years later, clutching at straws of logic to justify my actions. While I can understand how for some, the only way to cope with the reality of such horror in the world is to attempt to intellectualise it...to boil it down to 'zeros and ones'; I remain incapable of understanding how any person could be so breathtakingly arrogant or ignorant as to think themselves capable of distilling such wanton destruction down to a simple solution which provides moral justification to the victor.

We have struggled with versions of this problem for millennia - would you torture or kill 1 man to save a million? 10 men? 1000 men? What about 50,000 men, women and children? Before we attempt to exercise the power of the king, we ought to be sure that we first have the wisdom of Solomon.

Finally, we should always be careful of edifying the prose and opinion of any man (or woman) of unknown experience, motive or wit. The anti-Japanese 'post' above certainly appears sincere, but whether the gentleman was actually there on the island in 1944 - perhaps bitter, certainly scared; or the son of a soldier either killed in that war or one who may have subsequently returned home 'broken' who lived out his life diminished by that experience; or simply a modern 'patriot' who still thinks that Japanese sushi bars are an affront to dead Americans and Australians...we may never know. But it is neither well written nor well researched.

But I for one...and I cannot believe that I'm alone - refuse to hold a grudge against Japanese and German grandchildren for the crimes of (some) of their forebears. I have had an office in Krakow, Poland for 17 years and celebrated many times with my Polish and German friends together in Brno in the Czech Republic and on other occasions with our Turkish friends in Alexandroupoli, Greece just west of the Turkish border - great seafood...nice place if you ever get the opportunity to visit!

Many of our business friends have established and continue to nurture close friendships with  men and women who at one time served in the Soviet Forces...but for the grace of God, there go I (us) and I'm sure that there were many fine, honourable Japanese officers and soldiers who deplored the 'goings on' in the POW camps or who had no knowledge of them. I presume that they fought and died bravely for what they believed in...some for their Emperor god, but for many on the battlefield, the less tangible or distant call of one's faith or country is often replaced by the immediate needs of one's comrades. These feelings and deep-seated human longings and motivations were the subject of President John F. Kennedy's Commencement Address at the American University 10 June 1963.

President John F. Kennedy

He said: "So, let us not be blind to our differences -- but let us also direct attention to our common interests and to the means by which those differences can be resolved. And if we cannot end now our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity. For, in the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children's future. And we are all mortal."

Surely there is little room left now in a modern Australia for this fear, paranoia and hatred of people due to the sins of a father (or grandfather), ancient cultural rivalries, or religious tradition. While I am not advocating multiculturalism - there are already too many enclaves (with money) and ghettos (without) in this land of opportunity; I fervently believe that those who seek these shores should do so (and most do) on the understanding that they and their children will integrate into this country and joyfully embrace this one Australian culture. Of course we should remember our routes but we must let go of the biases and hatreds from which we may have fled. Of course for some that is easier said than done.

I suppose I do have one point...we must ensure that we learn from our history:

• What made the German people susceptible to Hitler's very attractive National Socialist Party?

• What was the cause of the Japanese obsession?

• Why won't democracy work in Fiji and why must they always have a military coup d'etat to change government in Thailand?

• What makes some of the Islamic states and their people so embittered today while others such as Turkey, Jordan, Indonesia and Malaysia are desperately trying to stop the "radicalisation" of their societies?

We really ought to spend more time solving that one than vainly attempting to justify the decisions and actions of our parents and grandparents.

I have in this last week had the honour of presenting the Australian Defence Force Leadership and Teamwork Awards to atudents at Al Amanah College which is one of the largest Islamic highschools in Australia.
http://www.defence.gov.au/longtanawards/http://www.defence.gov.au/longtanawards/

Over these last four years, their founding Principal, Mr Mohamed El Dana has become a good friend and I have enormous respect for him, his staff, the parents and students of that school. Mr El Dana said: "First we are Australians; and we worship in the Islamic tradition." His school sings the Australian National Anthem each day...wow...we don't even do that in the Army any more and he is most proud of his girls achieving UAIs of 94 and how 2010 is the second year running that his senior boys won the inter-school rugby league competition. 

BIRR Initiative

Their biggest fight is against the radicalisation of Muslim youth...it's a constant battle and our xenophobia does little to help. The majority of Muslim Australians are just like them: hard working, conscientious, sacrificing much to provide a great Australian education for their children and a freedom and quality of life that they never had in their home country. JFK was right. Mr El Dana helped champion the protection of Australian Muslim youth and this BIRR Project  (Building Identity and Resisting Radicalisation) was endorsed by the Federal and NSW State Governments. For more information on the wonderful work here in Australia on this subject please see: http://www.birr.net.au/guide/a-counter-radicalization-and-youth-guidebook.html 

I am reminded of Dr Martin Luther King's great dream that one day his children would be judged on the content of their character and not on the colour of their skin...or by extension, their religion or culture. It is a pity that while Dr King's dream is enshrined in the secular constitutions and laws of countries around the world; it's practice remains merely aspirational in our society and it continues to be rejected outright by many. 

By the way, many respected historians and academics have argued that the war in the Pacific was virtually over by the Spring of 1944. In my research I also found this conclusion compelling. What was very clear was that the Allies, and the US in particular, were attempting to achieve a position of strategic ascendency over Russia in the imminent carving up of whatever might be left of Europe...there was considerable concern that the Russians would simply roll on through Europe into the vacuum created by the collapse of the Axis Powers. As distasteful as it may seem, the argument goes that the saving of US (and Japanese) lives by the 100's of thousands or millions by dropping the bomb(s) and drawing the war in the Pacific to a speedy conclusion was actually a smokescreen where a 'strategically' sound political/military outcome would have the additional - perhaps primary benefit, of displaying superior US firepower - a prelude to the post-war meetings and a very clear warning lest the Russians seriously entertain any ideas of rolling south and further west. President Truman's message was clearly understood by the Kremlin, that is, the Americans not only had a 'working bomb' which the Russians, at that time, did not; but were more than prepared to use it...and against an enemy's cities should the stakes be high enough. It was the first move in the game of 'Cold War brinkmanship'.

So, in conclusion, let us not try to justify our past mistakes and current actions by citing the sins of others. I neither need nor desire the apology nor the public humiliation of current generations of former enemies to make amends for my personal loss or as a healing salve for some festering national wound. I would rather just pray for all those who died and suffered then and now - on both sides; while asking God to give us the continued strength to stand up and be responsible for our actions and that He bless the deliberations of our leaders - that they and we may have the moral courage to stand quickly and firmly against radical or extreme ideologies, selfishness and pettiness wherever we may find it...home or abroad; lest, through our apathy or inaction we ever again reach the point where Hiroshima becomes our only answer...for then we shall have truly failed.

Yours aye, 

Michael Abrahams 

"Lord, thy sea is so great,

And my ship is so small!"

If money was no object...

Dear old James May,

Co-star/presenter of TV's very popular "Top Gear" must have one of the world's great jobs. If you've followed the show (by the way "I am the STIG!") you may have seen him max the Bugatti Veyron at 407 kph. It was awesome but what I really appreciated most was the effect that it had...or that he 'let it have' on him. I understand him...James has a deep sense of awe and wonder... he's actually quite a humble guy. So too here...having the chance to fly to the edge of space - follow the youtube link below; what a privilege.
Yes, I know that it's more politically correct to say that if we had all this money we'd give it all away or do something very noble...and I hope that those of us who achieve a degree of financial success will be inclined to 'give back'; not out of a sense of guilt but because we believe that it is the right thing to do and that, being motivated by 'love' (not guilt or fear), it is the joy of helping others that drives us.
However, in my experience, few people have ever achieved great financial success as the result of a purely philanthropic goal...the human psyche is funny that way...it seems that there needs to be a a dream or goal that gets us excited in a personal - perhaps a 'selfish' way. Maybe it's driving (or buying!) a Bugatti; maybe it's Space tourism - or just parachuting or flying 1st class. Many years ago, I just needed to replace my wife's income so that we could start a family. That was $100,000 per year and we had exactly three years to do it...a clear, simple and personally meaningful goal...with a date! So let me ask you this...what gets you excited? The achievement, or even the possibility of achievement, of what goal would cause you to do the necessary work, to learn, to take counsel, and make the personal, attitudinal or structural changes in your life to realise that goal? Some of us carry so much baggage that we shall never reach escape velocity.
Be reassured, however, that if you are predisposed to be a generous and loving person...the success (and wealth) is likely to just make you more of what you were and no amount of money will buy a fine character for those who have none or who are not prepared to work diligently on refining the one they have.

"Dream like a child; plan like an adult; work likes there's no tomorrow!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=x6cZLfK4Zjk

An Ancient Formula for Success

A friend's family is currently struggling financially (and 'emotionally') because, among other things, the father is on dialysis and continues to smoke 2 packets of cigarettes per day. Apparently this gentleman, on learning of his kidney failure, immediately quit smoking...for 1 day!

Of course we all sympathize with the family - they must be terribly distressed but at the same time, we are probably annoyed...maybe even 'infuriated' with the dad. We empathize because we have been guilty of similar failures of willpower - even if the consequences have not been as critical.

I recall hearing someone posit the following: "Why do discouragements seem to come in bunches?" Answer: "Because if they came one at a time; they wouldn't be discouraging!"
That makes sense, doesn't it?

Repetition begets results - both good and bad. Repetition is the route of all habits and the 'fruits' of those habits are often subtle and not easily discernible to the unsophisticated observer. Centuries ago, the philosopher Lucretius observed that: "Drops of rain make a hole in the stone not by violence, but by oft falling." His point? The power is in 'repetition'. This is not new.

In previous posts I have discussed the power of association and that while our thoughts might impact most directly upon our 'joy'; it is what we do (or don't do) that will be the greater determinant of our success (or failure). So why do we continue to do those things which we know are bad for us? A modern answer to this most ancient dilemma may be found in a brief text in the public domain. A quick google will provide you with download opportunities for both written and audio renditions of this 70 year old presentation. Authored by a man with extraordinary insight into the human condition, "The Common Denominator of Success" was delivered to a group of Life Insurance underwriters in 1940 by Albert E. N. Gray. Mr Gray suggested that:

"The common denominator of success - the secret of success of every man who has ever been successful - lies in the fact that he formed the habit of doing things that failures don't like to do."

But he then continues to explore the apparent flaws in this hypothesis - excuses that we have all, at one time or another entertained, however briefly, to explain our apparent failure or the unexplained success of another. Maybe successful people 'like' to do the things that unsuccessful people don't like to do? No, this is not the case and there are myriad examples in business, sport, academia and politics to support the opposing notions that like or dislike of the core activity has little to do with one's success. Mr Gray's 'law' is an epiphany - read it slowly. Let its message wash over you:

" Successful men [and we can safely assume he is implying women as well] are influenced by the desire for pleasing results. Failures are influenced by the desire for pleasing methods and are inclined to be satisfied with such results as can be obtained by doing things they like to do."

Wow! A friend of mine, Peter, is deservedly famous for his mantra, "The Dream is Everything!" His enormous success, both personally and materially, from a relatively inauspicious beginning are testament to his sincere commitment to this philosophy. However, I have suggested that it then takes specific/relevant knowledge, hard work and mentorship, etc. So if one wishes to be a complete pedant about these things...then it (the 'dream') is actually not 'everything'...BUT...if we review Peter's confrontingly simple philosophy in the light of Mr Gray's treatise on human motivation; we find that the defining characteristic of successful men and women is the existence of a 'definitive purpose'. What do we call a definitive purpose that has its routes in our heart; a purpose that we can see, smell, touch and feel? Well, most of us would call that a dream. So maybe Peter was right all along! Keep it simple. Get a real dream first...and just know that you will find the people (or you will attract the people), the opportunity, the resources and the resilience necessary to attain it. Oh, and the work part...that's always been the easiest thing for those that have a dream!

Jim Rohn: How to Make a Living AND a Fortune

In last week's blog, I reflected briefly on the passing of Jim Rohn on 5 Dec 2009. Since then, I have dusted off my copy and re-read his "Seven Strategies..." In our early days in business... sounds prehistoric but it was only in the late 80's; we used to play snippets of his seminar from a very old and well worn VHS video. I have resurrected one of his seminars for your enjoyment and will post it as soon as I secure an MP3 hosting site.

In the meantime, follow the link below (or just google Jim Rohn). Here he is at his peak - a master communicator with a timeless message. If his words and these concepts ignite a spark in you; if you are now at a stage of life where you have sufficient experience and are searching for opportunity with substance; then we need to talk. Give me a call...or email and we can arrange for you to meet informally with one of our regional leaders.

As Robert Kiyosaki explains in 'Rich Dad Poor Dad: "The wealthy don't work for money but for the accumulation of income-producing assets." Any exit-strategy from the rat race requires the development of assets, in this case 'business' which has, at its core, the possibility of making the owner 'redundant'. We have that and the world's finest business training and mentoring program... because you need both. This is why our business team around the world includes everyone from academics to business owners, sports men and women, professionals and students.

A parting thought: Is it possible to attain great material wealth and be unhappy and unfulfilled? Answer: Of course! As Jim explains..."if you should win a million dollars; best that you become a millionaire [in your heart and mind] quickly or you are likely to lose the million dollars". In other words, it's not what you get but what you become in the pursuit of what you want that matters most!

Enjoy Jim Rohn. In the clip below he talks about working harder on ourselves than we do in our jobs. If you're reading this then it's likely that you are one of these people. Congratulations!

http://tribute.jimrohn.com/audio2.htm

In 2009, I lost two wonderful friends and mentors. The first was Charlie "Tremendous" Jones - author, speaker, encourager and role model for millions over his long and productive life. Met him a couple of times...always an uplifting experience. His mantra: "You'll be the same person in 5 years time [as you are today] except for two things - the people you meet and the books you read!"

How else could we say that? Environment and knowledge? Role models - both good and bad and 'perspective'? So much of the world of personal development and 'success coaching' can be summed up in this simple approach. Of course it doesn't matter whether our desire for success runs to athletics, career or parenting. To 'have' more; we must 'become' more. Which brings me to my second friend, whom I never personally met, but his loss is felt like the loss of part of my own soul: Jim Rohn.

Jim said it beautifully in his amazing book, Strategies for Wealth and Happiness: "In a few years we shall surely arrive; the question is ...where? You MUST read his book...Anthony Robbins and many other notable success luminaries credit Jim as their first mentor. His second strategy (the first was on goals...setting our sails to take advantage of whatever wind blows our way) was about becoming a student of life..."Seeking Knowledge". He says that "a good idea will seldom interrupt us". Isn't that the truth! We must search out our knowledge. Through books, tapes(sic) CDs, and wise counsel.

I count it a singular blessing in my own life to have been the recipient of good examples and wise counsel (mostly) in my earlier years and the opportunity to draw strength, wisdom and counsel from some extraordinary people through my adult years. At the end of the day, is there anything more rewarding than having actively sought out or qualified for the counsel of someone we respect and then have the opportunity to apply that counsel to produce something of value...to realize 'changed circumstances' not by luck but by deciding to rise above our current conditions and with God's grace, become more than we were by embracing change and a little disciple in our lives?
Let us squeeze everything we can from life's opportunities...everyday.

We're all smarter than we think...but

Where to start? This seems like a good place so try this. You CAN read it and the faster you try to read; the easier it is:

"I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid Aoccdrnig to a rsecherear at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer inwaht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit plcae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lleter by istlef but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh? Yaeh and I awlyas thoguht slpelnig was ipmorantt!"

So, we're smarter than we think but let's put this into some "New Year's" context. Thanks to Bob Yap in Malaysia for sending me this very poignant quotation:

"It is how you act not what you think that will determine your success;
It is how you think not what you do that will determine your happiness"

As always, it is our preparedness to act upon those well-laid plans and New Year resolutions that makes the difference. A dream is step 1...but it is still only one step. Then comes a plan, a timeline and (here's one that most people miss) a system of accountability - preferably to a person that you respect, admire and who has already done what you hope to achieve!

Later, after the dust has settled and regardless of our results, we are left to ponder our success or otherwise; and it is in that pondering that we are often most challenged. I leant this from Nancy Dornan: It IS possible (and biblically sound) to be grateful for what we have and still want to have and be and do more.

If 2009 wasn't everything that we hoped for, then let's take all those accumulated experiences and wisdom and invest that in the achievement of our goals in 2010. Grateful for what we have but not content to rest on our laurels.

"Dream like a child; plan like an adult; work like there's no tomorrow"
Have a great 2010,

Michael Abrahams