Made for this Moment

Today in his inauguration speech, President Obama made the statement: "My fellow Americans, we are made for this moment, and we will seize it - so long as we seize it together." Obama is not the first to use the statement: "we are made for this moment." In a Christian setting the sentiment has often been associated with the biblical story of Esther. Esther was an orphaned Jewish girl took in and reared by Mordecai, a prominent Jew in a non-Jewish society. Esther found favor with the king and went on to become his wife.

Later, those jealous of Mordecai and the other Jews persuaded the king, who was unaware of Esther's Jewish background, to issue an edict that all the Jews should be killed. Mordecai sent word to Esther asking her to plead their case before the king, even though approaching the king without an invitation could have led to Esther's own execution. On Esther's hesitation Mordecai tells her: "who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" Esther realizing she was indeed "made for this moment" went to the king and her intervention saved the Jews from destruction.

Whatever your political or religious persuasions, one thing is sure in my mind, that each of us was made for the moment in which we find ourselves. We have the choice whether to grasp that moment and step up to the plate, or to let it slip by.

As well as the inauguration of the US president, today is also the official Martin Luther King Jr day here in the USA. King is a powerful symbol in US history, and rightly revered by many. One of the things King often spoke about was those who remained silent when wrongs were being done. He once stated: “Not only will we have to repent for the sins of bad people; but we also will have to repent for the appalling silence of good people.” 

Some times we think that being an individual, we cannot make much of a difference. A few years ago living in the United Kingdom I was struck by an article I read. It was about an offensive advertisement that had been banned by the board of advertising there, after an unprecedented number of complaints had been received from the public. What struck me most was the number of complaints that had been received. Out of a country with a population of over 65 million, the number of complaint leading to this advertisement being withdrawn was a mere 750. It taught me a valuable lesson, that a few people standing up and being counted can make all the difference.

Obama talked about seizing the moment only if we all seize it together. For everyone to seize something together though is highly unlikely in the world in which we live. But for a small number who are prepared to stand up and dare to make a difference, nothing is impossible.

King also stated:

“We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history, there "is" such a thing as being too late. This is no time for apathy or complacency. This is a time for vigorous and positive action.” 

On this day celebrating a man who made a tremendous difference by standing up and daring to dream a dream, I hope we each can realize that we are made for this moment, that we will step forward, shake off the apathy and complacency that so often befalls us, and that we can make a difference in the world in which we live.

Christmas Love

In Dr Seuss's story of How The Grinch Stole Christmas, the Grinch sets out believing that if he steals all the trimmings, presents, and other material aspects he will be able to destroy Christmas. As the story progresses though, he realizes this is not so.

“And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.”

As you celebrate this Christmas day, I hope that beyond the presents, the food, the candy and the lights you might take a moment, like the Grinch, to contemplate whether Christmas indeed means a little bit more.

Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth into the world of Jesus Christ. Above all else Christ stood for love. His birth was heralded by a heavenly host declaring "on earth peace, good will toward men." Christ taught to "love one another as I have loved you", and to "love thy neighbor as thyself." In our day and age it is easy to wonder if love can indeed prevail. It almost seems impossible to think that peace can be had across the world, that we can love one another without reserve. There are those that have hurt and deceived us. Those who are vastly different in their outlook and philosophy than we. Those who have differing beliefs. There are so many reasons not to love. Can love towards all really be found anywhere but in the innocence and naivety of a child? 

The columnist, Erma Bombeck, once wrote: “There's nothing sadder in this world than to awake Christmas morning and not be a child.” There is something magical about Christmas to a child. But even more amazing is the magic of Christmas that is able to touch each of us and turn us child like. Whether or not you believe Jesus Christ to be the Son of God, one cannot help but be touched by the Christmas spirit of love.

I hope that as you enjoy your Christmas time, that a bit of that magic may touch your hearts. By all means enjoy to the fullest all the celebrating, all the fun and laughter, that Christmas brings. But let it also bring back to you a touch of the purity of childhood. And with that purity reach out in love to those around you. Give forgiveness where it has been withheld. Mend the broken bridges. Let go of the pride that separates you from others. Learn to accept the differences that divide. Awake to the reality that we are all sons and daughters, all brothers and sisters of the same universe.

As you move forward beyond Christmas give the greatest gift that is possible, a loving heart. Help love mend your own lives, lift the lives of those around you, and heal a trouble world. It will not happen over night, but it begins with you, it begins today, it begins now. Let the angels' declaration become our rallying cry, one of peace on earth, good will toward men.

Laughing at your challenges

The other day I met an acquaintance in the supermarket and we got to discussing my latest challenge, the fact the I have to move out the home we are renting and I have been unable to find anywhere to move to. The conversation spread to other hard challenges I have had to face over the few years he has known me. Then he made a comment that made me smile. He told me I had the perfect personality to deal with them all - I just laugh at them.

Of course his comment and view overlooks the aspects he never sees. The heartaches, the shed tears, the stress I often feel. But there was some truth to his words that I laugh at challenges and it got me thinking as to why that is. Is it really just personality? Or is it something more?

Whether it was the death of my wife, the crazy move to the USA, the financial difficulties, a failed marriage, visa difficulties, losing my job or any one of a number of other major challenge thrown at me over recent years, I always have seemed to be able to pick myself up with a smile and solider on. My motto became "It's life, deal with it."

I will not belie, there are times when it feels too much, when I seem to be carrying the woes of the world on my shoulders. There have even been times I have broken down and cried like a baby. But one thing I have realized when these moments occur is that it is more about self-pity than anything else. At the end of the day how I feel is within my own power. Feeling sorry for myself will not help improve things, indeed it often results in not facing up to the reality. And that is another lesson I have learnt over the years - trying to avoid a situation and hope it goes away never works. Once I decide to face the problems head on, whatever they may be, it is surprising how easy many of them are to deal with. Our fear is often the biggest obstacle to solving a difficult situation.

Another aspect that has always helped me get through the challenges is a sense of humor. Perhaps that is part of my personality, perhaps it is part of my British upbringing, but I have always been able to see a funny side. I remember in the later stages of my wife's cancer treatment going to see one of the Lord of the Rings movies. My wife was a third of her previous weight, little more then skin and bones, she had lost her hair, and her eyes seemed to bulge. As we sat there, the creature Gollum came onto the screen and I could not help noticing the resemblance to my wife. We sat there in the theater and had a great laugh together. Later she would refer to our children as her "precious," in Gollum's tone of voice, as she would chase them around the house. Another time after I had graduated from my MBA program, I was penniless, had no work visa, and had no idea how I would survive. I used to tell people "I'm destitute and close to being homeless, but hey I have an MBA."

So personality? Perhaps, but just remember life is full of challenges, it is no use complaining about them, and trying to run away from them just leaves you further from the solution. So face up to them, accept them for what they are, stop feeling sorry for yourself, which is a total waste of time and energy, and look for the positive in life. It does not matter how dark it gets, there is always something positive you have.

And above all, stop taking life so seriously. Cry a little, but laugh a lot.