Friday Reflections

Spring in full bloom at Hakone Gardens-Happy Week

Point to Ponder: What is this life if full of care, We have no time to stand and to stare...

Story Line: Enjoy the following video about Spring in full bloom at Hakone Gardens.

Hakone Gardens

 

Life is a self-fulfilling prophecy. You get what you expect.

POINT TO PONDER: What concerns me is not the way things are, but rather the way people think things are. --Epictetus 

STORYLINE (Sources for this article are books* “A whack on the side of the head” by Roger Von Oech and “Fifth Discipline” by Peter Senge)

Several years ago, Johnny Carson made a joke on his television show that there was a toilet paper shortage in this country. He then went on to describe what some of the consequences of this shortage might be.  The implication of this joke was that the viewers had better go out and stock up on toilet paper right away or they would have to face the consequences. The subject made for a good laugh, since there was, in fact, no toilet paper shortage at all. Within days, however, a real shortage did develop. Because people thought there was a shortage, they went out and bought up all of the toilet paper they could find, and, as a result, they disrupted the normal flow of toilet paper distribution.

REFLECTION

This serves as an example of the self-fulfilling prophecy. This is the phenomenon where by a person believes something to be true which may or may not be so, acts on that belief, and by his actions causes the belief to become true. The self fulfilling prophecy is a case where the world of thought overlaps with the world of action. And it happens in all avenues of life. It is also known as the ”Pygmalion effect” after the famous George Bernard Shaw play (later to become My Fair Lady). Shaw in turn had taken his title from Pygmalion, a character in Greek and Roman mythology, who believed so strongly in the beauty of the stature he had carved that it came to life.

 

Business people are quite familiar with self-fulfilling prophecies. In fact, the whole notion of business confidence is based on them. If a business person thinks that the market is healthy (even though it may not be), he will invest money in it. This raises people’s confidence and pretty soon market will be healthy.

 

Pygmalion effects have been shown to operate in countless other situations. An example occurs in schools, where a teacher’s opinion of a student influences the behavior and performance of the student. Managers frequently fail to appreciate the extent to which their own expectations influences subordinate performance.

 

In reinforcing process such as this, a small change builds up on itself. Whatever movement occurs is amplified, producing more movement in the same direction.  Thinking a particular thought has tremendous impact on the world of action.  When you look in the mirror in the morning, see the face of the person who is going to accomplish wonderful things in personal and professional life. Life is a self-fulfilling prophecy. You get what you expect.

 

 

*Highly Recommend Following Books that have positive impact on my life and career.

A Whack on the side of the head by Roger Von Oech

Expect the Unexpected or You won't Find It by Roger Von Oech

Fifth Discipline The art and practice of a learning organization by Peter Senge

 

This article was published in the Book Friday Reflections with the permission of Roger Von Oech and also in October 2011 weekly FR on the Web.

Prevention:You can only connect the dots looking backwards

Point to Ponder: What did Taiwanese, New Zealanders, Thais and others knew that some did not. “An ounce of Prevention is better than a pound of cure.”

Story Line: “Perfect Containment until Proven Prevention.”

Covid-19: Source: Worldometers.  Date: July 9, 2020

No	Country	Total Cases	New Cases	Total Deaths	New Deaths
1	USA	3,215,549	56,617	135,683	821
2	BRAZIL	1,755,779	39,583	69,184	1129
3	UK	287,621	642	44,602	8
99	THAILAND	3202	5	58	0
131	NEW ZEALAND	1540	3	22	0
163	TAIWAN	449	0	7	0

Observations of containment and semi-prevention (of virus spreading) from three visits to Taiwan in January, February and March and One to Chiang Mai.

1. January 28: 75% of the passengers and 100% of crew members in the plane from SFO-TPE were wearing Facemasks. Restrooms were sanitized more often than normal. From TPE to ChingMai 100% of people in plane had facemasks.
2. Upon arrival at Taipei Airport almost all (found only 6 exceptions amongst several hundreds) people were wearing facemasks. So we surrendered and put on masks.
3. On the Second visit to Taiwan in February, there was a body temperature check and individual interview before proceeding to Immigration. Hotel pickup van and reception desks also did temperature checks. 100% of people including foreigners were wearing facemasks.
4. On the third visit in March, same as #3 plus temperature check before entering high speed railway platform. The train was completely full with passengers for 3 hours journey. Everyone was wearing facemask. In the crowded bus from train station to Hotel, on the town streets and in small Alishan forest railways, people were wearing facemasks. Public places were frequently cleaned and sanitized.
5. In January, in early stages of virus spread, Taiwan and Thailand had put ban on travelers from Coronavirus origins places, taking huge losses in tourist revenues. Estimates are over a million tourists were scheduled to visit those countries for the New Year vacation time.
6. One very notable thing was that people were mingling close to one another, walking shoulder to shoulder in crowded markets or in buses and sitting close to others in diffrent places. No social distancing of several feet, but they had facemasks on.

Reflection: Taiwan and some other countries have done a superb job of preventing spread of the virus by Proactive early engagement actions. For some countries it was knowledge and learning from past episodes and having prevention systems in place, for others like New Zealand it was aggressive actions based on the knowledge of what countries like Taiwan had already done. (wise learn from others' experiences).

Full prevention of virus will be achieved only when the source of the virus is eliminated and vaccine is developed. But until then for some of the countries where virus is widely spreading fast: Without pointing fingers at anyone* let us work together to combat this terrible human tragedy. To wear the mask or not to and whether to follow other containment actions, that is not the question. To act for own safety and that of our families and our fellow human being is individual responsibility. United we stand, divided we will fall.

*A few months ago, even respected medical experts in USA were not advocating use of facemasks, not even simple cloth covering face, while medical grade masks were in short supply. But everyone is learning along the way; hard way in this case. A lot of new discoveries are coming up in the process of finding solutions so at times some of the previous information is not valid or may seem contradictory. Medical professionals are working long hours both for containment and finding Prevention solutions. Let us trust that they would do the right things.

Some people are starting to doubt prevention methodologies and also starting to wonder if all this is a Hoax. I would just point to the data and observations from the places presented above. (Following the best known practices vs drifting and not following them).

While thinking about investing in Prevention and/or New Discoveries I remember the words of Steve Jobs: Again, you can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.

The Story of Yudhisthira and His Dog

 

Sully the service dog accompanies Bush one last time

POINT TO PONDER
You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him. -James D. Miles

STORYLINE by Rajiv Shah (Retold from the Mahabharata)
Yudhisthira finally stood at Indra's chariot. Indra loomed over Yudhisthira - a noble and skilled man - and his trusty companion, an ugly dog that had joined him one day on his trek while he was resting under a tree, alone and tired. He had lost his brothers on the journey - one by one they died - from starvation, the bone chillingly cold nights and the brutality of the heat during the day. One by one they were taken from him. It was when his last brother perished that he found himself at his lowest, under that lonely tree, when the dog appeared to him and never left.
They had been searching for Indra's chariot on that mountain to take them the final way to the gates of heaven. Yudhisthira and his brothers had heard finding this place, this paradise, would bring them peace. They were brave men and many believed they could make the journey through the treacherous mountains but in the end it was Yudhisthira alone, with his trusted dog, had made it.
Together he and the dog had passed over jagged rocks that cut them, hot sand that burned, painful thorns from unwelcoming bushes, and deep mud that threatened to suck them in and not let them go. When they found food - sometimes Yudhisthira finding it, sometimes the dog – they always shared it. When neither found food, they starved together. And as sometimes only loneliness can bring to two creatures, it brought Yudhisthira and his dog love. He trusted the dog with his life.
His dog was looking up at him and he patted his head. They had finally made it to the place they were searching, and Indra's voice bellowed out to him, “oh, you finally arrived! I have been waiting for you so long! It's a pleasure to have you here in my chariot, let's fly to heaven.”
Yudhisthira and his dog took a few steps toward the chariot when Indra raised a hand, “But... the dog can't come, look at it, it's old and thin. It's not worthy of my heaven.”
His dog stopped and Yudhisthira looked down at him. The dog laid down at Yudhisthira's side, resting its head on his cracked paws. Yudhisthira looked back up at Indra, “I'm sorry, if the dog can't come with me, we will turn around and go back now. I thank you for your invitation, but I cannot leave this animal. He has been my faithful companion during this journey.”
Yudhisthira headed back down the mountain, the long arduous path they had just come.
“Stop,” Indra cried out.
Yudhisthira turned and discovered not his dog on the ground where it had been, but the dog transformed back into its real shape: the God Dharma.
“Now you can come, this was your final test and you showed that you deserve to come with me.” Indra opened the doors to the chariot and Yudhisthira stepped in. Indra closed the door and off they went.

REFLECTION
The dharma, represented by the dog in this story is the representation of the only way a person can attain peace. And within this story, the path is found through righteousness not because of what Yudhisthira will attain but because of the intrinsic value of doing what was right.
This begs the question of whether we do good things because of what we feel it will bring us: appreciation or reward.
*I was inspired to focus on this story from the Mahabharata and the picture of the week after reading a moving article about a dog refusing to leave his owner, a fallen soldier. The story can be found here: Best Friend

Update: This story was originally published on Sept 10, 2011. https://fridayreflections.typepad.com/weblog/2011/09/yudhisthiraandhisdog.html

Being republished with a new photo after reading the following very touching story about President George H.W.Bush and his service dog Sully. Sully the service dog accompanies Bush one last time.  Sully

The readers comment in the original publication are also being republished in the blog comments.

Manny vs. Floyd

 

 

POINT TO PONDER

"When at a young age you learn to face your fears, that makes the difference between people being champions and people not being champions."

                                - Evander Holyfied

 

STORY LINE

There's a lot of clammoring recently that the mega fight that boxing fans have been waiting years for might actually happen this year on May 2nd. The fight I'm talking about is between two of the greatest fighters of their generation: Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. 

For those that don't know, these are two pugilists destined to go down in boxing's hall of fame. Manny Pacquaio has become a champion in an unprecedented 8 different weight classes and claims a record of 57 wins (38 by knockout),  5 losses, and 2 draws. Floyd Mayweather Jr. on the other hand, boasts a spotless record of 47 wins (26 by knockout) and 0 losses. The man has never been defeated. 

So it can be surprising to hear the debate about who is the better fighter and true champion of this era. Many have claimed it is Mayweather with his impressive undefeated record. But he has never faced Pacquaio and many have argued that he is afraid to fight the Filipino champion. 

For years he claimed Manny wasn't good enough to fight him. When Manny took on all comers (even losing a few fights in the process) Manny proved he was the best fighter to match up with the undefeated champ. When fans demanded they fight each other in 2010, Mayweather danced as well outside of the ring as he does within it, claiming that they could not agree on contractual terms. The fight that should have happened years ago inevitably didn't. 

So fight fans waited. And now in 2015, the time for excuses are over. Manny Pacquiao has finally given Floyd Mayweather everything he's been asking for, which reportedly includes a 60-40 split of the purse in favor of Mayweather, choice of venue, and proper drug testing preceding the fight. Manny has signed onm for the fight on Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s terms. The ball is now in Mayweather's court and yet, he still hasn't signed the contract to fight Manny. 

There are no more excuses. The question that now looms stronger than ever is why won't he fight Manny? And if Mayweather doesn't, can you still consider him a true champion if he doesn't?

 

REFLECTION

I've read many sources with a variety of opinions. Some claim it's business that's holding this whole thing up. Others maintain that Mayweather is scared to fight Manny. Others say Mayweather doesn't want to jeopardize his undefeated record.

Whatever the reason, I know one thing is certain and that is that a champion faces their fears, stands up to the tough challengers that oppose them, and they certainly do not run from harship but find a way to win in spite of it. 

An undefeated record is great but ultimately, it means nothing if you run from the most important fight in your career. 

Looking Ahead By Looking Back

POINT TO PONDER 

“For last year's words belong to last year's language
And next year's words await another voice.
And to make an end is to make a beginning."

                                                -T.S. Eliot

 

Friday Reflections 2014: Year in Review: 

 

Into the New (January 2, 2014)

http://fridayreflections.typepad.com/weblog/2014/01/into-the-new.html

2014 is upon us and it is entirely in our power to make our journey what we truly desire. There is a reason that the rear view mirror is small. Our focus should be on the expansive possibilities in front of us. This year, this day, this moment is ours to make what we want out of it, if you can keep your eyes on the road ahead.

 

The Reflecting Back: The Ricky Williams Story (January 9, 2014)

http://fridayreflections.typepad.com/weblog/2014/01/the-back-.html

Ricky Williams walked away from the very things we value. We have been conditioned to believe the solution to our problems is found in the external: money, power, job security, and fame. We think that if we can get to next level, to the next big paycheck, then perhaps then, things will get better. I think Ricky Williams was polarizing because he had all of those things, but for him; it wasn't enough. And if it wasn't enough for him, a man who seemed to have it all, then what did that mean for the rest of us?

 

40 Years Ago: First Encounters In the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave (January 23, 2014)

http://fridayreflections.typepad.com/weblog/2014/01/40-years-ago.html 

“We are very hungry, what food do you have?” The guy said “Only thing I got left is a hot dog.” Coming from strict vegetarian families we were in total shock. “Hot Dog?” We had heard that in America, they ate cows. But Dogs? Yuck. We turned around and left. 

 

A Matter of Perspective (February 13, 2014)

http://fridayreflections.typepad.com/weblog/2014/02/a-matter-of-perspective.html

Lizzie Velasquez reminds me that whatever challenges we face, it is up to us to decide what we choose to focus on and who we want to be. Because Lizzie proves that there is always a silver lining on the horizon, if we are courageous enough to look for it. 

  

The Ultimate Fighter (February 20, 2014)

http://fridayreflections.typepad.com/weblog/2014/02/the-ultimate-fighter.html

When I look back on this experience I come away with five important things:

1. You focus on what you can do, not what you can't. 

2. You work hard even if you might not be feeling up to it.

3. There is a clear difference between theory and practice. Theory means nothing unless you get up, make mistakes, and work through them. You learn best by doing. 

4. Repitition leads to flow states. By doing something over and over, you stop thinking about it, and it becomes second nature. 

5. You can always learn from others, no matter what is the assumed "experience level.”

  

Warren Buffett's Magnificent Seven (February 27, 2014)

http://fridayreflections.typepad.com/weblog/2014/02/warren-buffetts-magnificent-seven-.html

It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you'll do things differently.

 

Road Not Taken (March 6, 2014)

http://fridayreflections.typepad.com/weblog/2014/03/road-not-taken.html 

"If you don’t know where you going, any road will take you there.”

  

Get Rejected! (March 13, 2014)

http://fridayreflections.typepad.com/weblog/2014/03/get-rejected-1.html

So what is the secret of success? Failure. Don't believe me? Check out some of these photos of rejection letters that have been circulating around the internet recently. 

 

SILENT LEADERS (March 20, 2014)

http://fridayreflections.typepad.com/weblog/2014/03/silent-leaders.html 

...real leaders don't just provide answers, they prepare you to find them for yourself when they are no longer around. 

 

Oh Bull! (April 3, 2014)

http://fridayreflections.typepad.com/weblog/2014/04/oh-bull-.html

“Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising which tempt you to believe that your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires courage.”

  

The Young and the Restless (April 17, 2014)

http://fridayreflections.typepad.com/weblog/2014/04/the-young-and-the-restless.html

New employees come with good credentials, enthusiasm, ambition, high hopes and many with a lot of passion. The challenge is how to keep up those qualities once they get melded in/sucked in to the organization’s systems for a few years.

 

Age: Mind Over Matter? If You Don't Mind, It Does Not Matter." (May 15, 2014) 

http://fridayreflections.typepad.com/weblog/2014/05/age-mind-over-matter.html

"Ask yourself three questions. First, what comes easy to me but harder to others? The second question is, what would you do for work for years and years and never have to get paid for it? And the third question is, how can you be of service and how can you give back?” 

 

A man with one watch knows what time it is; A man with two watches is never quite sure. (July 3, 2014)

http://fridayreflections.typepad.com/weblog/2014/07/a-man-with-one-watch-knows-what-time-it-is-a-man-with-two-watches-is-never-quite-sure.html 

This is what happens with giving an overdose of training to the new hires and delivering massive training blasts to all employees. The office shelves get full with training binders, checklists for “training completed” are in compliance ... but in most cases what was taught is not ever put into practice.

 

Just Give Me The Facts (August 2, 2014)

http://fridayreflections.typepad.com/weblog/2014/08/just-give-me-the-facts-.html 

Can a fact ever be divorced from the interpretation of that fact? Or does the truth always lie somewhere in between, where each person's truth is different from the other? Perhaps, it is not the truth that matters but how we use it to get what we individually need? 

 

Robin Williams (07/21/1951 - 08/11/2014) (August 14, 2014)

http://fridayreflections.typepad.com/weblog/2014/08/robin-williams.html 

"Risking is just for me, it's always been kind of the thing like, just trying different things. That's what the drill is... But why do I risk it? Cause the gains are pretty great when you do take a chance and you find something new - when you do find a new area…" 

R.I.P. Robin McLaurin Williams. We will miss you. 

  

What Are You Thinking? (August 28, 2014)

http://fridayreflections.typepad.com/weblog/2014/08/what-are-you-thinking.html 

"If everyone is thinking alike, then nobody is thinking.”

  

*Play For the Name On the Front, Not the Name On the Back. (November 6, 2014)

http://fridayreflections.typepad.com/weblog/2014/11/play-for-the-name-on-the-front-not-the-name-on-the-back1.html

25 Guys.

1 Common Goal.

Win Today.

 "...tonight I was proud to be together as a team, in a hostile environment, with just us...brothers that play for the name on the front, not the name on the back.”  -Hunter Pence

 

The Other Side of Practicality (November 13, 2014)

http://fridayreflections.typepad.com/weblog/2014/11/the-other-side-of-practicality.html

"So many of us chose our path out of fear disguised as practicality."

 

Brooks Was Here (November 20, 2014)

http://fridayreflections.typepad.com/weblog/2014/11/brooks-was-here.html

Often we run, hide, and self destruct in the face of change. This scene has always been profoundly sad to me because I never would have thought that prison would be a place that anyone would want to go. But for Brooks, it seems prison is the only place he wants to be because Brooks' prison isn't a place, it's the inability for him to hope and to change. His prison was in his mind. 

It makes me think of the things in our lives that are prisons and the reasons we stay within them. When we chose not to change, our inability to adapt can lead to stagnation. Stagnation means no movement. And no movement is akin to death.

We must keep moving. And changing. And growing. We must fight the prisons we set for ourselves in our mind. 

 

The Second Act (December 4, 2014)

http://fridayreflections.typepad.com/weblog/2014/12/the-second-act.html

I'm happier now, and not because of any "things" I've acquired or any "achievements" that have come my way, but for one simple fact: I'm not trying to "become" anything anymore. I'm happy with who I am, what I am, and where life is taking me. It's not perfect but I now realize that the better version of myself doesn't exist in any dreams, or in the promises of tomorrow. It lives in the here and now. And that’s the only time of which we really have any control. 

 

A Blockbuster Blunder (December 11, 2014)

http://fridayreflections.typepad.com/weblog/2014/12/blockbusterblunder.html

"The highest form of ignorance is rejecting what you don't know.” 

 

It's a Wonderful Life* (December 18, 2014)

http://fridayreflections.typepad.com/weblog/2014/12/its-a-wonderful-life2.html

...the truth of one’s own life isn’t in the taking, in the acquisition of more and more things, but of the giving of oneself to others.

  

REFLECTION

Here's to a magnificient 2015! 

Robin Williams (07/21/1951 - 08/11/2014)

POINT TO PONDER

"Risking is just for me, it's always been kind of the thing like, just trying different things. That's what the drill is... But why do I risk it? Cause the gains are pretty great when you do take a chance and you find something new - when you do find a new area..." 

                                       - Robin Williams

 

STORY LINE

Robin Williams was one of our favorite comedian/actors here at Friday Reflections. We were sad to hear of his passing this week and the tragic circumstances that surrounded it. He brought joy to so many and even in his passing, his genius and hilarity live on. 

As Robin was a long time resident of the San Francisco Bay Area, we wanted to share an outtake of his observations of the valley that many of us call home. We hope it leaves you with a smile, as it did with us, and we can remember the staggering talent Robin Williams shared with us all.  

 

R.I.P. Robin McLaurin Williams. We will miss you. 

THANKSGIVING EDITION: The Tiny Superhero

 

POINT TO PONDER

 

"If people in the media cannot decide whether they are in the business of reporting news or manufacturing propaganda, it is all the more important that the public understand that difference, and choose their news sources accordingly."

 

                                        - Thomas Sowell

 

 

STORY LINE by Analisa Hightower

 

I often think about the content of our news outlets, of the excessive turmoil our world is in, and it can make an already stressful day feel even worse. While there is a need for awareness of the current events in our world, the news often sensationalizes negative events to obtain more viewers. Numbly, we watch these reports having been bombarded by years of similar stories, cumulatively adding to the mounting stresses and negativity of our days. That's why last week, I was especially touched by a story about a young 5 year old boy's wish coming true after recovering from a lifelong fight with leukemia. He wanted more than anything to be Batman for a day and save Gotham city from the very evils that our news reports, and from which I was already tired. 

 

His name is Miles and his deepest wish was to be Batman (he would later come to be known as Batkid) for a day. Miles' (aka "Batkid") story began at the beginning of this year as his leukemia and chemotherapy treatments were due to finish. At the end of his ordeal he had one wish - to be Batman for a day. His father, Nick Scott, would tell ABC, "chemo is all he's ever known. That's the life that he's known but this is kind of a way to celebrate the ending." The Make a Wish Foundation would step up to the plate and organize that celebration for him. On November 15th, 2013 Miles donned the batsuit and lived his dream. 

 

Ultimately, San Francisco wasn't the first choice to substitute as the fictional Gotham, but it was the first to officially say yes. I was excited and thought, "how sweet, San Francisco will be Gotham City for a day." His Gotham - the city by the bay and a city which I love and grew up - went above and beyond, enlisting the mayor, its police force, and millions of citizens to transform the city. That one day San Francisco became Gotham City for Miles, for me, and for the world and it was like nothing I'd ever seen...

 

People came out in record numbers, my facebook and twitter feeds filled with news about the Batkid from all over the world. SF Gate had Batkid on their headlines and were tracking his progress through the city through live feeds the entire day. Companies lost revenue with the halt in productivity as its employees followed Miles' live news feed (or even followed him in person on his parade route), but what those companies gained were employees that returned renewed and inspired. 

 

Standing on the street, waiting for Miles to crusade by, I looked at the faces next to me and what I saw en masse was entirely different than usual - I saw hope and joy... I was one of millions in a sea of strangers rallying around a boy we barely even knew, a boy that had beaten his cancer, and we cheered as he fought through staged crimes and even saved an actress playing a damsel in distress who fawned over Batkid's heroism. 

 

Little Miles was reminding us that maybe we can overcome pain, disease, and suffering. And as his dreams were coming true, we watched together - cheering, laughing, crying - as this tiny superhero, this miniature marvel with a heart and a will bigger than most adults, was uniting a city. 

 

It may have cost San Francisco $105,000 to stage the event and weeks have now passed, but his story was proof that people might just follow positive news after all. Miles Scott reminds us that there is a need for the positive, for the promise of something better, in our news stories. It was a taste of the good that lies within each one of us, a trip to that childlike place where we have forgotten to venture, that beautiful place where we all still dare to hope and dream. 

 

 

REFLECTION by Analisa Hightower

 

During this holiday season I'd like to be idealistic and think that if we're able to come together as a community to cheer on this little boy with a wish, that maybe we as a community can come together over other issues. Maybe, knowing how touched Miles was and seeing that bright smile on his face, that will encourage folks to go out and help put those smiles on other peoples faces regardless of their age. And maybe, the news would inevitably follow, if we chose to focus on the positive side of our world instead. 

 

Happy Thanksgiving everyone and thank you for your continued readership. You give us here at Friday Reflections much to be thankful for this holiday season. 

 

For more about Miles Scott and Batkid:

http://sfist.com/2013/11/01/heres_how_you_can_help_make_5-year-.php

 

My Response Is Gratitude

POINT TO PONDER

"Feeling gratitude isn't born in us - it's something we're taught, and in turn, we teach our children."

                            - Joyce Brothers

STORY LINE

Last Sturday night on September 21st, 2013, Prabhjot Singh was brutally beaten by young assailants in New York city who yelled out slurs such as "terrorist" and "get Osama" as they proceeded to rip at his beard and break Singh's jaw.

Singh is a practicising Sikh that walked his wife and young son along the very same path where he was beaten, every morning close to their home in East Harlem. Singh had to have his jaw rewired and after he was released from the hospital, he became the latest in a much too long line of hate crime victims. 

When asked about the violence he suffered, Singh said that he did not feel anger or hate towards the men that attacked him. If anything, it strengthened Singh's commitment to the community and that forgiveness and education were needed. It surprised and moved me to read about Prabhjot Singh's response in the article below:

http://www.nydailynews.com/hate-victim-prabhjot-singh-feeling-gratitude-article-1.1466721

 

REFLECTION

Perhaps past fear, violence, and retribution there is a place where growth can occur? There's a passage from Shataram, a novel by Gregory David Roberts, that I would like to share:

             ...I know it isn't cruelty or shame that characterizes the human race. It's forgiveness that              makes us what we are. Without forgiveness, our species would've annihilated itself in              endless retributions. Without forgiveness there would be no history." 

It's Gonna Take Time

POINT TO PONDER

“Patience is necessary, and one cannot reap immediately where one has sown”

                                                                – Soren Kierkegaard

 

STORY LINE by David Hightower

This week the world witnessed the end of an era. After 27 seasons at the helm of Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson, the most legendary manager of all time, decided to hang up his boots and call it quits. And he did so in style by going out on top, raising the Premier League Trophy for the 13th and final time. He had, in fact, accomplished “the impossible dream."

When Ferguson was appointed manager for Manchester United in 1986 no one could have foreseen how much he would accomplish in his illustrious career. In fact, his time as manager for United was almost over before it ever began. It is widely acknowledged that Fergie was about to be fired before he won his first trophy in 1990, the FA Cup. Fortunately the club had the foresight and the patience to let him work his magic, because that trophy was only the beginning… Sir Alex would go on to become the most decorated manager in sports history.

Over his 27 seasons in charge of the Red Devils SAF won a total of 38 trophies:

• 13 Premier League Titles
• 5 FA Cups
• 4 League Cups
• 10 Community Shields
• 2 Champions League Titles
• 1 European Cup Winners Cup
• 1 European Super Cup
• 1 Intercontinental Cup
• 1 FIFA Club World Cup

 

REFLECTION

Unfortunately, the modern era has witnessed the trend toward short term thinking where managers, CEO’s, and politicians seem to be tossed by the wayside if they don’t achieve immediate results. What people fail to grasp is that it takes time to sow the seeds of success. And sometimes, things have to become more difficult before they become easier. That is exactly what made Sir Alex such a brilliant manager. He understood the importance of long-term preparation and planning. Instead of focusing on winning in the immediate future, Ferguson concentrated on developing the youth program for the long haul. And boy did it pay dividends. Year after year. He obviously shared the philosophy of the late great Beatle George Harrison, “It’s gonna take time, a whole lot of patience and time… to do it right!”