Unity and Progress for Modern Times

Please help me out with something because I'm blind at times and don't see the difference in people. When we start in life, don't we all crawl as babies? Is there a person who does not want to love and be loved by those they cherish?... Are we that different?

I see much hate in our world today. And I bet that you're no stranger to it. You recognize when it arrives because you sense it in your body - primal instincts for self-preservation awaken, you get ready for conflict. For some, it's not an exaggeration to say - off goes the happy day.

In the era of technology, hate found a second home on Social Media. You felt its twisted presence there. Is there someone who hasn't? It feeds on fear, misinformation and spurs out hurtful words, dividing people. 

Fact: We now live in a historic time. At the touch of our fingers, we can communicate and collaborate via technology with people on the other side of the globe. Real-time. We can cooperate to make this world a better place for us and live happy lives. And yet, hate fights for a place beside us. 

Hate loves deceiving others with one primary weapon: it creates the impression that anyone who's not the same as you is dangerous and despicable. These other people have unfair advantages, possess hidden skills, and have much better opportunities to thrive in life. And one of her favorite lines she shouts out is: "Lady Luck only smiles to those selected few, and you're not one of them!"

At other times, hate shows visions of someone's wagon filled with money - next to your empty wallet. It displays your neighbor's more desirable spouse to push your loneliness and frustration buttons. Or something entirely different, something that you miss dearly from your life. And then she whispers in both ears: "That's not fair! It's not fair to you! You need to do something about them, don't let them think you are a fool!" And that is how this rotten album plays back on a loop: Clank, Clank, Clank! And it goes on until there's nothing left for you to feel but misery. You see, that was the point - For you to feel miserable. Leave things as they were, or hopefully a bit worse than when you found them. With a look of satisfaction and contempt, Hate marks down in her molded black book: "I win again."

Should human life be perfect? Sorry, there are no magic wands on sale.  

But I ask you this: Have you ever heard of a particular woman that was both blind and deaf since the young age of 19 months? She lived in the early 1900s. There were no smartphones back then. No internet, no modern medicine to save you when real trouble barges. And yet, she became a prolific author of 14 books and campaigned for world peace. She had no sight, and she had no hearing. Her name was Hellen Keller. Are you luckier? Maybe you are, if even by a margin.

I don't know about other planets, but down here on planet Earth, we're pretty busy living our imperfect lives. How well we do our act of living, that's an entirely different matter. But the point is - we're here. Now. And we have options. And one of these options is to say and do the right thing, even in the direst of circumstances. And by "right thing," in this context, I mean for us to say: "I will not have my life denied!" 

This statement is compelling. It is a declaration of independence and an act of rebellion against the forces of destruction. 

This proclamation is one of the first steps towards self-realization. It's a claim that every living being needs to make for themselves. And for their community. "We will not have our lives denied!"

I once heard an intriguing metaphor about human existence. It is like moving through a jungle. If you think about it that way, what is life? 

The journey of life is quite the same as traversing a large and primarily virgin forest. It's filled with perils that can quickly get you lost... or worse. And yet, you have to travel cross this forest, for what other choice is there? You want a happy and fulfilled life. But you cannot truly succeed in this journey unless you respect the forest and its ways. The woodlands were there before you and will remain after you are gone. The way you manage this campaign is: you appreciate the forest for its gifts and wonders, for its dangers and unclaimed paths. You get attuned to the forest's life and find a way of support and collaboration with its inhabitants. 

Take a break for a moment and imagine that you are there now. What do you see? What do you hear? What do you smell? Are you touching something as well?

That forest pictured in your mind has people in it as well, several billions of them.

If the forest was a metaphor, our planet is real. There are close to 8 billion people alive today. All of us have feelings, someone we hold dear, and we're all just trying as best that we know of to live and do our work in this world. We seek a friendly and safe environment where we can live our happy lives with people we like, trust, and respect.

Every person embarked on this voyage needs something and wants something. And so far, it looks like the best way to get it is by cooperating with other people. That is nature's way. 

It's true; some people have more than others. Does that mean we should envy the one who worked hard to get it or the one who was born into a rich environment? How does that help us? It doesn't. 

The only thing each of us should care about is bringing about our potential and our vision for a good life. And a good life is not limited to one person; a good life involves all 8 billion people on this planet. And on Mars, if and when we get there. So, sharing our good fortune with others is critical. Not just for our current well-being, but for the ones that follow after we are gone. And here is the crucial point:

Fact: If you want a genuinely good life, the best life, there are several necessary conditions that you need to meet.

The following three are some of the vital ones:

  I. Cooperate healthily with other people.

 II. Self-Discipline (also referred to as self-control).

III. Specific skill-set. Build a skill-set that helps you be effective and efficient in the world.

That's it. There is no way around it. Not for a truly thriving life.

Your ability to cooperate with other people will depend on how adept you are at building solid relationships. When people feel cherished and respected, they enjoy being around you. When you work together for a common goal, you form a team. Guess how many people want the presence of someone that does the shallow thing of lashing out in a hateful way? Some will tolerate it. But not many.

Your self-discipline ability depends on how much you have worked to build an image for success in your mind. Reminding yourself constantly of the rewards that come when you stick with the process until you reach the outcome is critical. Ex: Eat the chocolate now, smoke that cigar currently, and remain unhealthy for five more years. Or select the prize of having a healthy, even athletic body just six months from now. 

Your skill-set will determine your ability to succeed in various areas of your life. Examples of skills: walking, talking, cooking, driving, programming, leading, singing, writing, project managing, and more. Anything, and I mean, any activity that a human performs, is based on an acquired and cultivated skill. 

|-> The Acquired Skill <-|

Yes, the acquired skill has the potential to improve one's life and the lives of those dear to them.

And how do you acquire a skill? How does a toddler learn how to walk? One tiny step at a time. One moment at a time and one decision at a time; 

That's how you did it, and that's how successful entrepreneurs like Elon Musk or the painter Pablo Picasso did as well. 

One decision, one step, and one moment at a time.

Formulate a vision for what success looks like to you and take to it step by step. Keep at it until completion.

Fact: First comes the work, then comes the outcome, and last comes the rewards. 

I know what you might be already thinking: You can do all the things right and still fail. That's true. There always is an element of randomness involved - however: The more skilled you are, the more connected to other people you are, the more involved in activities that can better the lives of people you are - the more you improve your chances of getting lucky. And one day, you will get fortunate in every area where you have formulated your vision and took it one step at a time. 

Fact: Hate is the master of those she likes to name as losers. But you and me, we understand there are no losers. They may just be scared, lost people in the forest who have not found their way yet. They might have also had bad guides along the way.

Fact: Luck is the partner of responsible, considerate, kind, and meticulous crafters of their lives. And I believe that you, reading these lines right now, are one of them.

May Lady Luck always be there, Smiling and Shining on you!