No matter how hard you plan, how hard you focus your intention, how many people you conscript to work with you in the achievement of your goals, the future somehow manages to be something of an unknown quantity. The kings of yore summoned astronomers and magicians to help them interpret the faint outlines of the forming future, nowadays man has enlisted the help of technology to create predictive models for everything from the movement of the stock market to the movement of weather systems.
I’ve often thought that we’re lucky that few if any individuals can consistently read into the future, as we have a hard enough time dealing with the exigencies of the present moment. The fact that we don’t have the ability to consistently see the future ensures that life will be full of surprises. Regardless of your ability to peer into the future, how you handle the surprises that knock at your front door determines the quality of your life.
Occasionally we have the opportunity to look back in time, perhaps with greater clarity than the crystal ball affords those interested in coming events. History is a fascinating topic yet historical events are always translated through the eyes, heart and mind of the beholder (if they were even there). The historical facts and their respective lessons can vary tremendously from country to country, a fact that I learned while studying and travelling abroad during my adolescence and young adult years. It’s amazing how starkly different two interpretations of the same past event can be, even if the event took place only moments ago.
Today is Memorial or Decoration Day in the United States of America. It is a time to remember and honor those who have lost their lives while in military service protecting our great nation. My grandfather once told me a story of a harrowing experience he had while at war, just after landing at Normandy. He was in a tank with his best friend and an enemy combatant managed to drop a hand grenade into the passenger compartment of his tank.
He recalled that time slowed down to the point that his memory of every second was filled with mountains of detail that you’d typically miss in a normal situation. He remembered the sights, the sounds and the smells as if he was explaining the room in which we were sitting. In a split second, my grandfather’s best friend leapt to cover the grenade with his body, saving the others in the tank but losing his life in the process.
War is a terrible thing. So much waste, so much destruction. Herodotus wrote “In peace, sons bury their fathers. In war, fathers bury their sons.” If ever there was doubt as to the existence of hell, war surely proves that hell is not only possible, it’s doors are open, right here on earth.
The freedoms of our Great Nation were earned, not bestowed upon us, its inheritors. Freedom from the tyranny of an oppressive government must never be taken for granted, as many have lost their lives over the decades to ensure that it could be given to you and that you could give it to your children.
Looking forward I see the possibility of wars and rumors of wars, but I am convinced that the right handling of the factors at hand can help mitigate the likelihood of their occurrence. An argument resolved between men can prevent escalation to a feud between families or a war between nations. The argument, feud, war chain can be broken.
I have long been convinced of the possibility of the brotherhood of man taking precedence in the hearts of men over the petty differences that seem to divide them. Sure the almighty dollar and the lust for natural resources complicates the matter tremendously, but it would be awful were we to let the world go to hell in a handbasket, for we have the power to transcend our differences and find common ground.
Don’t be so sure that just because we have experienced thousands of years of conflict, strife, wars and turmoil, there is now no other way. There is another way, but the courage to envision it and enact it must overcome the momentum that we have generated as a race. The future is shaped by today’s thoughts, words and deeds. Handle what comes to you today in a way that a bright and peaceful future has the best possible chance of manifesting in your heart and through your handiwork.
Gregory Hake 
I am reminded of a quote to the effect that what you can do is often simply a matter of what you will do, which to me speaks volumes about how a person handles the surprises which come knocking at their door. Your grandfather’s friend was obviously a man of very high honor and depth of character, willing to live up to that when that particular situation came knocking at his door. I’m glad we can honor his life and his bravery today, and consider the implications relative to the essence of our own character – what is the extent of our vision and beliefs in life and how will that translate when we meet the unseen opportunities at our door. I’m with you in making the investment in the possibility for brotherhood of man over the pettiness which divides, and even in the throes of war attitudes and actions can be taken which prove that to be the case. As you say, the future is shaped by today’s thoughts, words and deeds. Each has a high calling no matter what the immediate circumstances may be.
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I believe that war is not a natural thing for mankind to wage on each other, and I also believe that we can turn around these thousands of years of strife and turmoil. However, that day has not yet arrived, and on this memorial day, when there are certainly those who would love to do harm to our great nation, I thank those serving our country, and those that have served in the past. Like George Orwell said, “People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf”. Let’s use the freedom and the space this threat of violence gives us to make sure that we don’t need that threat for too much longer!
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My niece’s son is stationed in Qatar. I was able to spend some time with him during his last leave. He has seen some of his comrades seriously injured, psychologically damaged, and unfortunately two of his friends were killed in the line of duty. I admire his disposition because rather than becoming bitter, vengeful, or disillusioned he is determined to play his part, maintain his sanity, and dedicate his life to an end greater than whatever the immediate goal appears to be. I think it has helped him greatly that he has always loved to study American history and admired the spirit of so many of the historical figures who dedicated their lives to the freedom and formation of this country, most of whom he feels had much more dire conditions than he ever encounters. I have sent along some of your posts to him, and I know he’ll appreciate this one.
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I was returning from a trip last recently, standing on the airport train next to a young woman in uniform. An older gentleman approached her with interest and appreciation, apologizing for interrupting her. She shared that she was returning to Afghanistan after a two week leave to visit her family, holding back emotion as she answered him that her time here was nice and it was hard to leave again. He conveyed a heartfelt thanks for what she was doing for our country and wished her well. Standing next to her in that moment I became acutely aware of freedoms and luxuries which I automatically take for granted each day, and the pettiness of most concerns that had probably come up in that day alone, compared to assuming a duty full of duress, danger and long periods of time away from family and the nourishment and comforts of home. If you don’t know someone personally who is stationed overseas at this time, all you have to do is visit most any airport to see a host of those coming and going. This may be a tame brush with the effect the lack of peace in the world has, but it was useful to shore up the matter in my own heart so that the efforts and dedication of others past and present are not in vain. Your Memorial Day sentiments are much appreciated!
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I appreciate the mention of the petty differences that escalate from within and often emerge as war and rumors of war. This brings to point for me the necessity of “Acceptance” over people, places and things as they stream forth from out of the future. Acceptance of the circumstance as it is manifest puts us in a place that transcends the actual circumstance, and thus in position to lift that circumstance up with our heightened vision and perspective, rather that trudge along the same old path!!!! Acceptance doesn’t necessarily mean we agree, just that it is what it is and our choice in vision is the determining factor in what that circumstance becomes, Victory or failure. Today I vow to accept the responsibility as manifest in my experience and let all things be made new!
Thanks Gregg!
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Outstanding Blog Today! Thanks!
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Thanks for this wonderful Memorial Day reminder that we can make a difference, just as those in our past have. I appreciate our country and the men and women who had vision and the courage to act upon it. They believed in peace, liberty and happiness. These aren’t lofty or impossible goals, they are choices that we make every day to live by or not to live by.
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As a father of 3 boys, under 6 years of age, I’m perplexed by the ocassional need to help them with conflict resolution – at such a young age…..what conflicts could they really have?? I’m constantly seeking new creative ways to help them navigate their difference yet encourage them to continue working together. Am I an expert myself at resolving conflicts at an adult level – No. I do recognize the need to take ownership of the conflicts where I play a role and as one mentor reminds me – ” ‘don’t kill the messenger’, pay close attention to the message being delivered and seek to add value.”
Beautiful reminder today – THANK YOU!
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So many people take for granted the great privilege we as American Citizens have been given just by our birth here in the United States. Everyday we see people who risk their lives to keep our freedoms that comes along with our citizenship, safe and secure. Testing our knowledge about history can be both fun and tedious, but when you learn for the first time how this amazing country was put together, you see both the blessing of vision and the courage to navigate the unknown in the resiliency of the men and women of our countries beginning. It is only because of the past and present of so much dedication, that this country still has a future that even slightly resembles the original ideals held by the parents of liberty and justice for all.
Thanks Gregg for a thoughtful start to this Memorial Day!
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