The Decade Ahead and the One Passing
Posted by Dr. Earl R. Smith II in Blog, Raven Tales, Thought Pieces, tags: adviser, advisory board, angel investor, board of directors, CEO, chairman, coaching, consulting, director, Executive Coaching, fajada butte, Governance, hope, investing, investor, Leadership, leadership assessment, leadership coaching, leadership development, leadership styles, Life Coaching, management assessment, non-profit, nonprofit, Personal Growth, soltice, spirituality, sun dagger, turnaround, Turnaround Management, Venture Capital, winter solticeDr. Earl R. Smith II
DrSmith@Dr-Smith.com
www.Dr-Smith.com
Today is the Winter Solstice. And as I reflect on the passing of the season and the decade that has been, I am moved by a sense of anticipation. Very few of us will be unhappy to see the first decade of the 21st century come to an end. It has been a difficult and trying time. For many it has brought the dimming of dreams. For Americans it has meant the reduction of our standing in the world. As the world became a meaner and more dangerous place, many of us reflected nostalgically on the last decades of the 20th century. Looking back we saw a world full of hope and promise. Our fondest hope is that such a world will be reborn to the family of mankind.
There are the stirrings of a spring that holds a hope far beyond a single season. Much has changed and even more is changing. Tide is gradually beginning to shift and the chilling winds are dying down. The deep cold that has held us is starting to thaw. This spring will be different from the ones that we all have recently lived through. I sense that there is a new mood among many of the inhabitants of the planet. This is a time for the passing of a season. Tomorrow always holds the promise that it will be brighter. We are reminded that cycles are a part of our living experience and it is time for things to renew the hope that makes us ever so human.
The Sun Dagger
High on Fajada Butte at the mouth of Chaco Canyon, the morning sun cast its glow on an ancient set of stones; stones placed there centuries ago by the inhabitants of the canyon. In the cold winter morning light, those stones projected two ‘daggers’ on to a spiral cut into the cliff face. Their message was “this is as far as it will go; now the sun returns.” The winter solstice Sun Dagger brings a message of renewal; just as it has for all those decades. That message reminds us that life goes on and there is a spring that will follow even the deepest and harshest winter. Now the time comes to think of new life and growing things. The darkness is passing.
This is an ancient wisdom. It is neither new to us nor new to the earth. The hope of renewal was what drove the ancients to set those stones so long ago. They had a deep and abiding faith that, from the depths of winter, the seeds of spring are patiently awaiting the warming of sun. The seeds of our brighter future rest below the frost of the last decade. They are awaiting only the warmth of our confidence and determination.
The Wisdom of Hope
The time we have is all we have. Our decision is what we will do with it. What we can do with that time is measured by the time we are living through. The real wisdom is to know when to let hope flourish. To hope when hope is warranted is the real wisdom. We are now on the very threshold of such a time.
Humans are coming to terms with the impact they are having on the planet and the fact that they have the responsibility to take care of this small and fragile globe. They have begun to realize the real cost of leaving their future in the hands of business people who are focused on taking as much as they can and leaving the rest for their customers. Consumers are tired of being victims; getting less, suffering poor customer service and having few alternatives. It is dawning on us that our government has become captive of the corporate special interests instead of serving the people. It is time to change that and make it a government of, by and for the people. We are all realizing that the culture of self-indulgence and consumerism is less than fulfilling.
For most of the decade, these and many more challenges have seemed daunting. But I sense that this is going to change. It is not just that we have to meet and master these challenges. Our future on this planet and as citizens of the world depends on our success. We can meet and master them. Let hope, yet again, spring eternal.
May the decade to come be a bright and joyous
as the last one was dim and painful.
© Dr. Earl R. Smith II
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Dr. Smith is a proven senior executive, successful entrepreneur, published author and public speaker. He serves on boards of directors and advisory boards or as a strategic adviser to CEOs. Dr. Smith specializes in turnaround management, strategic planning, leadership development and executive coaching. He also works as an executive and/or life coach in the areas of personal growth and spirituality. He is the author of Amazing Pace: Turbo-charged Business Development – a book that shows how Advisory Boards can dramatically increase revenue. Dr. Smith is also the author of Dream Walk: Parables for the Living – a book of Raven Tales and exploration.
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