‘I  prefer freedom with its dangers to tranquility with servitude.’ The Count Palatine Of Posen

I am reflecting on a recent speech given by one of our leading politicians in our nation this past week,  where he has warned the government from overstepping the mark when it comes to the blanket censorship of the Internet in our land.

Now I am one who believes in responsible censorship – as a tool to protect their citizens, by at least giving them sufficient information so that they then can make their own informed and wise decisions for both themselves, and to also assist them as they guide their children to make wise choices.

But when it comes to a point where the government steps in to overtake even the possibility of having that freedom to choose, then this is where I believe a government has stepped in too far – by becoming BIG BROTHER.

And when it comes to the Internet they will be setting a precedent that could result in the creation of a ‘Cyberspace Curtain’. And from our historical experience of the iron curtain and the bamboo curtain which impinged on religious freedom, freedom of speech and political freedom – this action can only lead to the alienation of many in our society.

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Life’s experiences have taught me that when I am low I can be high, when I am sick I can be well, when I am depressed I can be exuberant, and that when I am poor I can be rich.

Success has never taught me anything of great significance. Oh maybe one thing – the need to remain humble.

But it has been in failure that this pupil has been ready to learn. It has been in the depths of despair, and in the blockade of bumbling that I have become wealthy with the riches obtained while dwelling in the state of a pauper.

For it is in the land called low, the shire called sick, the district called depressed, and the province called poor that I have come to realize that without a life yielded to the one who breathed life in the first place into this clump of mud – a man is nothing  – a wisp of wind that is here one minute and then, in a breath, is gone.

And it is at that point that in my weakness I have been made strong. In my sickness I have been made whole, and in my poverty I have become rich. From depression I have been transported into a state of oppression – oppressing the very demons of doubt and crushing underfoot the gremlins of guilt that have harassed me. From inactivity I have instantly sprung into a state of action – overcoming fear with every step forward.

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‘Study to show yourself approved…’ *

I spend at least one hour a day in study. The busier I get, the greater I find the need to dig deeper through the habit of study.

And what do I study?

1. I Study Where My Passion Lies

The bulk of my study time is devoted to my passion. For me my passion lies deeply entrenched in the writings of the philosophers throughout the ages. When I come across a philosopher who impacts my thoughts and my heart, I make it my mission to discover whom they read – and before long I am introduced to the company of those who formed the basis of modern thought as we know it today.

When I read I read to be inspired – and it is from there that I build my own structures – for they are the springboards from which I leap ever forward in my own thinking so that I can continue to be an effective influencer upon those who happen to come into my sphere of influence. As one who seeks to inspire others to excel, I must first be inspired . For me to water others I must first be watered. And this is where I drink deeply – daily.

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‘Every great and commanding moment in the annals of the world is the triumph of some enthusiasm.’ R. W. Emerson

Throughout my life I know for a fact that the only thing that allowed me to succeed at times was that I attached to my limited talent, my minuscule knowledge, and my defective abilities my secret winning ingredient – and that was enthusiasm.

The day I started a cleaning business after being retrenched, vowing that I would never again work for another man for the rest of my days, I printed some leaflets and walked the streets with my young family putting them into the local neighborhood’s mailboxes. Within a very short time I was earning more part-time in my own business than I was earning working full-time for someone else. Three years later I sold that business at a profit.

I then published my first book ‘Memories, Thoughts & Photographs’ and spent $70 to fix my typewriter so that I could type the manuscript. My first sale of that self-published book netted me over $100,000. Not a bad return on an investment that had been coupled with enthusiasm.

Then when I started my web design business with no design or technical experience, with the assistance of my 14 year old son who was the only one in the business technically inclined, again I printed some leaflets and this time walked alone into some industrial areas. On the very first day of canvassing I returned home having sold five websites.

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Destruction is not the purpose of humanity, for all humans have been built to build.

And what are we to build?

1. We Are To Build Each Other

An encouraging word, a pat on the back, an uplifting text or email can change the course of one life in an instant. Be a builder, not a destroyer.

2. We Are To Build Strong Families

A nation is only as strong as the family unit. With the divorce epidemic rampant in our midst there is a need for us to stand up and say no to the ‘D’ word and to say yes to the ‘F’ word – and that word is FORGIVENESS.

3.  We Are To Build Strong Economies

And how do we do that? By working diligently, by giving generously, by providing excellent service, by helping others, and by putting them first in all we do. For those in business – if you serve your customers and your staff well, then they will serve you well. And if you work for a boss, then take ownership of the business and act accordingly as though it is your very own.

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