Lesson from the University Of Life! The tree is one of the metaphors used to form a better understanding of life and at times, the misguided approach people take on life. Each family, community, nation or indeed the world is like a tree. For a tree to be called a tree, it would have the root, stem, branches and leaves. Roots, stems, branches or leaves cannot be trees on their own. Every part must be linked to the tree in order to survive and any part that cuts itself from the tree may survive for a while but would surely die! Many people are born at the bottom of the tree, some in the middle and others at the top of the tree. The real engine that powers the tree is located at the bottom of the tree where the root is. Those who are born at the bottom of the tree and survive the mess coming from those at the top, then rise through the ranks of the tree; have better understanding of the tree and much more likely to do justice in leadership positions than those born in the middle and at the top of the tree who are likely to have partial understanding of the tree unless they come down to the bottom to learn before going back up. Those born around the middle and at the top of the tree may be excellent academically but are likely to have limited understanding and appreciation of the entire tree because they have not experienced the bottom of the tree. Academic education only teaches one how to subtract, multiply, add and divide; it rarely teaches one how to share. As a result, academic excellence alone is like a beautiful place of worship with demons inside. Look at how academically educated our bankers are which leads them into the mode of me, myself and I, willing to collect millions in bonuses whilst the foot soldiers in the same company have no money to pay for roof over their heads. The problem though is that, people often elect those born in the middle or at the top of the tree for their brilliant use of words, presentation and packaging into leadership positions. People forget that, to date whether one believes it or not, religious or not; the two most followed leaders our would has known came from the root...born at the bottom. They had a better grasp of the tree and were full of compassion and service to humanity in general not for the few. Though many who represent these two individuals today misrepresented them, a proper examination of their lives and what they stood for would vindicate them as true and faithful servants of humanity. Those two leaders were Jesus Christ, the author of Christianity. Son of a carpenter and a virgin...born in a manger and as poor as poor can be and Prophet Mohammed (peace be unto him) an orphan; yet again full of compassion and a great servant of humanity. Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls; all that glitter is not gold. When human beings learn to choose their leaders wisely, the world which is full of riches and big enough to contain all that is in it, would serve humanity better and shadow chasing will be minimised!!! Have yourselves a good day.
Posted on: Mon, 10 Mar 2014 06:58:36 +0000