Spiritual Bear

I told my wife that this is my current favourite wallpaper. She asked me why. I said this Polar bear is very spiritual. She was puzzled. I replied lovingly:

"Can't you see it praying?"

conrade

Obama-Leadership Lincoln-style

The November 4th Election has come and gone. America has a new President, the 44th man in the oval office. Previously, I have commented why Obama won. Today, I was awed by this news article on Obama's decision to choose cabinet members, even dissenting ones. The writer, Calvin Woodward did an impressive comparison of similarities between Obama and Lincoln, which is summarized in the list form below.

• Lincoln (and Obama) did not merely want a cabinet of 'yes-men.'
  
• Lincoln is a great orator (so is Obama)
  
• In Lincoln's day, the losing party nominee William Henry Seward was made Secretary of State, despite Seward being a bitter rival during the race (Obama is considering making Hilary Clinton one)
  
• Lincoln reasons that a nation needs the best people, even if they are found in rival camps. (Obama is seriously planning a cabinet of best people regardless of party affiliation)
  

Two things impress me about Obama's attitude to dissent, the second being most profound. First is his promise: "I will listen to you, especially when we disagree." This is appealing as a new generation wants to be heard more than anything. That is why Obama was able to win convincingly. He knows that is the only way ahead to unite a nation. What better way than to include opposing views inside the influential circle so that like iron sharpens iron, any policies made will have addressed a sizable amount of perspectives that resonates with a larger part of society. Secondly, the ability to include non-homogenous people even in the closest circle highlights a very secure inner being. Jesus does not shirk away from people who opposes him. He tackles the Pharisees' and Sadducees' religious views even teaching and rebuking them without fear. He eyeballs the weak political judges like Pontius Pilate at that time. He engages the military, the Roman centurion guards without giving in to their taunting.

Finally, Lincoln won the civil war. What kind of war will Obama win? In this inter-connected, information-flushed, interactive, inter-networked world, I think there are many small wars to be fought in more sophisticated ways. If information can flow so easily across the world, what better way than to cultivate a rich pool of ideas INSIDE the cabinet without relying too much on OUTSIDE feedback. Having a first scan of ideas from various perspectives gives one an exceptional strategic advantage. In E-Leader, Robert Hargrove shows us that the new generation of leadership in the e-world must incorporate an element of embracing (not rejecting) the 'creative qualities and attitudes' of the Internet culture. Not surprisingly, the majority of the young voters supported Obama, who is seen as most sympathetic to embracing such a culture. With Obama being such a keen student of Lincoln, if we want to see how the leadership style of Obama will be like, study Lincoln. An example of Lincoln's leadership traits are helpfully summarized by Dr Philip Ernest Schoenberg.

1. Share A Vision
   
2. Be a Great Communicator
   
3. Be a Lifelong Learner
   
4. Demand Excellence for Yourself
   
5. Learn From Failure
   
6. Be a Role Model
   
7. Believe in Yourself When No One Else Does by Having the Courage of Your Convictions
   
8. If I am Not For Myself, Who Will be?
   
9. Be a Decision maker
   
10. Be a Team Leader
    
11. Doing the Little Things Lead to the Big Things
    
12. Show Compassion

Most importantly, Obama is leading the way to show us that history has much to teach us in the area of leadership. Unfortunately, the current popularity of Obama I fear is becoming more hype. CBS's 60 Minutes had its highest ratings ever. Perhaps this is because Obama is a popular person. Maybe people are expecting economic solutions from him, in a time where the whole economy is crumbling. He is seen more as a saviour. I hope that Obama will continue to lead not by doing big things but to do small things with a big heart. Indeed, when the financial world looks for a giant bailout, the auto industry looking for a similar action for them and many troubled industries doing the same, a leader will need to be wise not to throw good money after bad, not to be distracted by short-term problems and ignore long-term solutions. I hope Obama will make good decisions, no matter how tough it may be. At the same time, I pray that the people will also reciprocate to 'listen to Obama' especially when we disagree with him. the ability to tolerate dissent and work toward a common goal is increasingly more crucial in a multi-cultural world. Lincoln addressed Congress in 1862 with the reminder to adopt an attitude of servitude before trying to engage the issues of the present.

“The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. As our case is new, so we must think anew, and act anew. We must disenthrall ourselves, and then we shall save our country.” Lincoln's Annual Message to Congress, December 1, 1862

Learning With - A Teaching Paradigm

This is a video clip that highlights the gap between old educational structures trying to reach a new generation of students. See the video first, then read my comments below.


CONNECTING WITH STUDENTS TODAY
Teaching is my passion. In my heart, education matters have progressed from homework toil to examination fears; from tussling for excellent grades to jostling for good jobs; from concern for my children’s learning to yearning for meaningful living. It has been said that the longest journey in the world is from the head to the heart. Increasingly, after more than 40 years, I find myself shuttling constantly between the mind and the heart, between theory and practice; and between what the world deems ‘realistic and achievable’ to what I deeply desire in terms of hopes and dreams. Having struggled so hard in my early educational years, there is a sense of nostalgia, that I have practiced tonnes of past-year papers and scored distinctions in my grades. I remember the different teachers who tries to pass information down to me so that I can ‘learn.’ In those days, the Internet did not exist. There were no Facebook users but paper notebooks. No mouse or keyboards but pen and paper. Email communications were unheard of. I wrote love-letters, lots of them, complete with envelopes and stamps. Little encouragement cards were frequently exchanged, many of them becoming bookmarks for my large collection of books. Alas, these things are rare nowadays.

STRUCTURES NOT EASILY REMOVED
Education has come a long way, but the structures that took many years to put up, will need a longer time to take down. It is not the same as clicking the ADD/REMOVE icon, and removing the program from the operating system. This is because the bulk of the administration lives and survives on such an infrastructure, no matter how archaic it may be. I came across this video clip a couple of months ago. When it was first made, it attracted more than a million hits on Youtube. Interest continues to grow as even the creator was surprised how many educators identified with his message. That is why, watching the video developed by Professor Michael Wesch gives me some sadness amid the many valid concerns he highlight. Yet, I feel there are more reasons for hope than despair.

How valid are the statements made in the video?
Somewhat. I do not question the legitimacy of the words that describe what they do. A quick glance reveals that these are simply estimates of what the students are attending to, in this contemporary age. It does not necessarily reflect their way of learning, even though it may be a large part of their daily lives. Most of the tools like iPods, Facebook, Emails are part of the social networking excitement that is all the rave that is dominating Internet headlines. They are very much a recent phenomenon, and it is difficult to conclude that they will continue to dominate even in the future. It could be a fad in passing, especially when some other things later becomes more exciting. We will also need to ask, why are these students spending so much time on such electronic media? It has to be driven by a need. This echoes a large need to connect and to be linked to a wider community, from a secure distance. The statistical numbers may reflect that of a particular poll, but they do not necessarily mean that the student concerned WILL fall into that category. In summary, while the statements are helpful insights into the changing lifestyles and choices young people are making, they do not necessarily mean they are the BEST choice for them in this age. Educators however can learn to appreciate where the students are coming from, and incorporate part of this new environment into their teaching curriculum and styles. Abandoning old proven structures overnight and replacing them with new unproven techniques/technologies would be like throwing away our reliable compass in favour of a first generation unproven navigational device. Simply put, keep the best of the old and the most appropriate from the new.

Why Are Students Feeling That Way?

• Students are losing the ability to pay attention; For instance, society is being educated by commercials rather than good reading material. We can sing the latest cola jingle or McDonald's quip, but struggle to recall a quote from a serious book.
  
• Many students are getting increasingly frustrated that they have not been well understood by the institutions and general teaching population;
  
• Teachers have not kept pace with changes, fast enough. Most of them do not know how.
  
• Technology has captured the imagination of many. However, we cannot put blind faith in what technology can do

My Comments on the clip:
1) Firstly, do not despair. Things are not as bad as they seem, although the clip is filmed from a cynical angle of gaping holes in the current educational system. This is because the best hope for the future requires an honest appreciation of the past. Teachers have part of that past and can be a bridge to the present. Otherwise, without a proper knowledge of our history, we risk repeating the mistakes of the past needlessly. This is what I call the retrospective need. In other words, only by understanding where we have been, can we truly answer the question: “Where do you want to go today?” Published in 1995, Bill Gates book, ‘The Road Ahead’ is more about Bill Gates’ history rather than any prediction about the future. According to the Danish philosopher, Søren Kierkegaard, foresight is largely an understanding of hindsight. Hence, for those of us who are beneficiaries of an archaic system, that some will even call a ‘dinosaur’ era, do not despair. Our understanding of the present changes is more profound, given our familiarity with the past. We have much to teach the young. Memorizing mathematical timetables is still a practice that produces rich dividends. For example, recalling from memory the answer of 11 times 11 is faster than getting the answer from the computer/calculator. Being able to link delicate information of logic, deduction and discernment is something that no supercomputer can ever accomplish. Machines excel in the sciences but are found wanting when dealing with the arts. We are not mechanical devices but human beings. Technology can help accelerate information flow but can never replace actual learning.

2) Secondly, education is not simply about information. That is the trouble with my old way of learning, that I can ace exams simply by cramming information into my head, and then spilling it out cold when the questions appear in a 3 hour long test. I have heard umpteen times that what students learn in their classroom have no practical purposes in the real world. In many ways that is still true in many areas. I have no practical idea how the math logarithm tables are converted into actual reality. Neither do I know how meaningful is memorizing the chemical numbers of sodium or potassium and how to use it to solve problems in the physical world. Perhaps, engineering calculations like stress analysis of beams and structural tolerances are critical in building design. Or medical know-how of what medications are appropriate for certain ailments. However, the wisdom and the ability to know WHEN and WHAT combination to use on the projects is not easily transmitted. Wisdom is not taught but caught. Attitude is not obtained in the classroom but attained with humble and honest discipline. Moreover, there are many things the schools cannot teach. It has to be learned at a personal price in the institutions of life and hard knocks.

3) Thirdly, I am concerned about the declining rate of attention span. Even adults are not spared. For instance, people are stimulated more by visual images rather than the plain text. That is one reason why movies/DVDs are far more popular than the traditional books/print media. I spoke with a librarian in the downtown public library and was told that the DVDs are practically ‘flying off the shelves.’ He couldn’t say the same for books. The decreasing popularity of the printed word however does have a silver lining. Book lovers like me can easily find the books that I want. I presented a paper at a focus group at Regent-College last year, entitled: “Windows of Mass Distraction.” In it, I lamented the rise of a generation of ‘attention-deficit’ individuals, community, congregation and society at large. Advertisements tempt us to buy things we do not need. The idea of ‘multi-tasking’ can falsely make us think that we are achieving more when we are doing less of each. I dare say that in many cases, multi-tasking is a form of being a jack-of-all-trades-and-master-of-none. Take Microsoft Windows technology, for example. We can open multiple windows and do different tasks at the same time. However, the more windows we execute, there is a payload cost to bear. Certain processes in other windows will have to suffer in performance. Everything comes with a cost.

Humanly speaking, we are not meant to be multi-tasking people, even though our ability to do many things at the same time can be trained. Try to draw a circle with your left hand and a square on your right hand at the same time. With practice, you might probably have some success. At some point, you may notice that the ability to do two different tasks at the same time will require some mental detachment skills. Will that remove some humanness in us? Perhaps.

4) Fourthly, many societies have turned education simply into a job-seeking enterprise. A higher degree from a famous institution seems to be twin formulas in the resume of successful employment. This is increasingly unhelpful for the young person’s education. While it is important to train oneself up for the workforce, it is even more important to become responsible members of society, not mere workers to add to optimistic GDP statistics. Yet, education remains a profitable enterprise. Many are willing to fork out big bucks to buy degrees to enhance their employability. This current recession will come as a rude shock to many who maintains such a mindset. I remember reading one angrily written graffiti at a Vancouver café that reads: “I have a good degree, an MBA and a PhD and I am now a mere newspaper delivery man!”

We may or may not end up in this same situation. However, to put all our eggs of hope into a single basket of educational qualifications is hazardous. Very risky. Education is not simply about finding jobs. It is a full-life journey of discovery, of engaging our potential and helping others do the same.

5) Fifthly, it is the attitude, not the aptitude that determines one’s learning altitude. Stuff like discipline, tolerance and the ability to faithfully complete a course of study is part and parcel of education. One cannot learn discipline simply by opening windows according to one’s whims and fancies, or check emails incessantly like drug addicts who are helplessly dependent on their quick-fix injections. One cannot learn tolerance with other people simply by locking oneself in a room alone, even though he/she may have an Internet connection to the world. One cannot understand what faithfulness means if one readily jumps to the next latest-and-greatest fad. There are many things in life that requires time and concerted effort. For example, learning to master languages will require resources beyond the classroom. One needs to use it regularly in writing and speaking. The best way to learn languages continues to be via immersion in conducive surroundings. The Internet may work wonders, but language remains very much a human-led endeavour, not a machine-dictated maneuver.

6) Finally, educators need to remember that learning contexts is constantly evolving. Good teaching means being able to identify the context (environment), and know what kind of students they have (people) plus the wisdom to bring them together. If there is one positive take-away from the video, it will be that we need to move away from a 'Me-Teacher-You-Student' mindset, and to recognize that all of us are learning people. Students must continue to learn FROM their teachers who have considerable knowledge and experience. Teachers need to learn WITH their students in terms of appreciating their study environment and their home contexts. A learning community is much more profitable for all if in the process, one develops good friendships and camaraderie. In other words, the quality of education is largely measured not by the quantity of information we stock up in our heads, but by the quality of the relationships developed over the years. Internet social networking is a useful start to any relationship. However, its usefulness in terms of relationship building is limited.

As I think back about my years at Regent-College, I remember many papers I wrote, and the excellent classes I attended. None of them ever come close to the quiet, private conversations I have with the professors and fellow students, especially those that teaches me how to grow to become the person God has made me to be. What we learn about is important but it is from WHOM we learn, and the PEOPLE we learn with that underline the quality of the education of any one person. This is not necessarily restricted to the academic pursuit of a professional degree. In our workplaces, such an adage holds true for the workplace as well. One ex-colleague of mine had advised me: “It is not what you know, but WHO you know that is more important in the workplace.” On a pragmatic basis, this is very true. However, I have a better version for the Christian worker.

“It is not what helpful things you know in your head, or the inspirational stuff in your heart; but it is HOW you use them to help people around you that cultivates meaning at home, at work and everywhere you go.” Life is made more meaningful when we do not focus on earning money but building networks of friendships. Let me end with a poem, written by Mary Oliver, quoted in the book of a well known education activist, Parker Palmer: “A Hidden Wholeness.” This poem had been quoted in full in one of my previous posts. The last statement is especially poignant.

When Death Comes (excerpt)
I want to step through the door full of curiosity, wondering;
what is it going to be like, that cottage of darkness?

And therefore I look upon everything
as a brotherhood and a sisterhood,
and I look upon time as no more than an idea,
and I consider eternity as another possibility,

and I think of each life as a flower, as common
as a field daisy, and as singular,

and each name a comfortable music in the mouth
tending as all music does, toward silence,

and each body a lion of courage, and something
precious to the earth.

When it's over, I want to say: all my life
I was a bride married to amazement.
I was a bridegroom, taking the world into my arms.

When it's over, I don't want to wonder
if I have made of my life something particular, and real.
I don't want to find myself sighing and frightened
or full of argument.

I don't want to end up simply having visited this world.

~ Mary Oliver ~

Be mindful that as Christians, we remember that whatever we do, we work at it heartily as for the Lord, not for men. This applies the same in the educational arena. We teach, we learn, we help one another as to the Lord.

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men," (Colossians 3:23)

ks

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Links
1) Michael Wesch website (Mediated Cultures)
2) Britannica blog
3) “Vision of Students Today” (youtube)

A Good Reminder....

Control the technology, lest technology control you. For more information, go to this website.

Change Has Come

It is one of the nation's most anticipated elections. It has given the ordinary man in the street reason for hope. It has roused the hearts of people, both black and white, Hispanic and Asian, men and women, rich and the poor. It has captivated global attention, throughout Europe, Africa, Asia and the rest of the world. November 4th, 2008 is a day where change has come to America, and very probably the world. In a nutshell, Obama's victory speech says it all:

As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, we are not enemies but friends. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection.

And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn, I may not have won your vote tonight, but I hear your voices. I need your help. And I will be your president, too.

And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces, to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of the world, our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand.

To those — to those who would tear the world down: We will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security: We support you. And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright: Tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity and unyielding hope.

That's the true genius of America: that America can change. Our union can be perfected. What we've already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.

This is one US Election that garners not only the attention of so many Americans, but world-wide interest. The Press continues to harp on the skin colour of Obama. People continue to see him as a beacon of hope in this world that does not seem to get better each day. Any references to his deep religious faith in God is merely given a passing mention. The smoke of hype and elevated ecstasy can unwittingly cloud the real-time struggle for hope amid the despair that is falling upon Wall Street and Main Street. Some observe that Obama inherits a world that is more problematic than any US President has ever faced. Others have doubts about his ability to lead, due to his youthfulness. I think there are many reasons for hope rather than gloom.

1) UNITY
Obama epitomizes a unique unity never seen before in the history of America. Son of a black father and a white mother, he grew up in a multicultural era in the 60s-70s in Hawaii and Indonesia. He is conscious of the struggles of the black people in America, and appreciates the opportunities given him to rise up the ranks of the mostly white aristocracy. He appeals to the young and old, and in his speech is able to galvanize all people to one cause and purpose. If America wants to unite the world, it must first go through a process of healing. The American novelist, Don Williams Jr in 1968 said:

“World unity is the wish of the hopeful, the goal of the idealist and the dream of the romantic. Yet it is folly to the realist and a lie to the innocent.”

Yes. We need to pepper any thoughts of world unity with some reality check. We can however confidently say that as long as we maintain that hope for world unity, we have a chance.

Yet the challenges to establish unity is formidable. One politician who enters American politics with high ideals and left with some despair is Joe Scarborough. In his memoir in “Rome wasn’t burned in a day.” (Harper Collins, 2004) he argues that politicians in Washington are typically more loyal to their party than taxpayers. He adds that these politicians own selfish acts have contributed largely to the bankruptcy of America. His journey into Congress began in 1995, ending in 2001. Let us hope that at the end of Obama's presidency, he will not experience similar sentiments of anguish.

2) A GRACIOUS CAMPAIGN
Both candidates have extended grace and gratitude to each other despite a bitterly fought campaign. That alone teaches us what we need to do as people living in a competitive environment. In sports, we sometimes extol winning to the point of cheating and preying on the weaknesses of the opponents rather than playing up our strengths and integrity. Sportsmanship is seriously needed in order to play well and compete well. John McCain has been very gracious in his concession speech, and in the words of Obama, 'extraordinary.' We can learn to do the same to one another, to be gracious with our words and actions. Emotionally speaking, I think it is even more difficult for McCain to give that concession message, than for Obama to deliver his victory speech. One must learn to win gratefully, and when the time comes, lose graciously as well. Kudos to McCain for his exemplary leadership.

3) LEADERSHIP & PATRIOTISM
Both candidates exhibit a level of care and love for the country they serve. This is consistently portrayed by both candidates and that makes unity and healing possible. Fighting for a single cause, for one people and nation is a symbol of leadership and example. "A nation we both love," is a stirring statement of intent and common goal of both candidates.

4) HEALING
Be Witherington III points us to an amazing reminder of what we should all stand for, even if we are not from America. The commentary by his friend James Howell ought to help us restore sanity amid the euphoria.

My Comments On Why Obama Won
Firstly, he had to. Wall Street (rich-upper middle class) has fallen to financial disarray. Main Street (the average middle-lower income people) continues to struggle with bread and butter issues daily. McCain appears too identical (even if he is not) to the Bush era. The 'Republican' name has somewhat become a liability for him, due to the association with right-wing policies, which has not helped improved the lot of the common people. The people needed something new and radically different.Non-Americans have even become more interested in the US Elections than their own. One even campaigned for Obama.

Secondly, the closely watched Primary elections between Hilary Clinton and Obama has sharpened his campaigning skills. The main difference is that elections is no longer limited to the 'white-causian-male' category but is open to black, female and others as well. That is certainly what true democracy is about, an election that is open to all. This has created some excitement among Canadians as well, so much so that some Canadians are even willing to trade their voting rights in exchange for the chance to vote in an American election! Obama clearly has a heart for the people at large. I like the way that he tells the story of Ann Nixon Cooper (106 years old) who queued up to vote. In one story, Obama demonstrates the importance of history, of a person who lived through two world wars, depressions, struggles, victories and many events. By stringing them together, he weaves multiple generations together to hope as one people that they will be a better tomorrow, if every person unites. The backgrounds and histories are shared realities of life.

Thirdly, the US has been prepared for a black president, thanks to Hollywood. From Morgan Freeman's role in "Deep Impact" to Dennis Haysbert's character, David Palmer in the hit TV series "24." In the latter, the President is handsome, solidly decisive and demonstrates a character of integrity that many admire. Together with the Oprah endorsement and many Hollywood supporters (California is largely Democratic), Obama's victory is only a matter of time.

Fourthly, the time is ripe for change. People have seen 8 years of a Republican-style Presidency and politics dominated by the same party in both Senate and House of Representatives, and they do not want a repeat of the same. What is more interesting is the increase in the younger voter turnout. The youths desire to be heard, and be different. Moderation, not radicalism is the key to future expectations in society. McCain is not exactly an alternative for an influential undecided bloc.

Fifthly, the world in general has hoped for an Obama victory. This is largely reflective of the desire for a more inclusive, balanced and fair international relations, which Bush's 'cowboy-style' policies fail to adequately provide. The world has changed. The trouble is that Washington has not kept pace, and it is hope that a youthful Obama will help bring change. Elsewhere, the change America is looking for, reflects the change that many people outside the USA harbours deep in their hearts. There is a coalition called "The World wants Obama." For example, multi-cultural Canada sees Obama as a reflection of their culture. An Australian press survey indicates a preference for Obama, so that the mess created by the past administration can be better addressed . Some Singaporeans see an Obama victory as a possibility of the Singapore political environment to change.

Sixthly, this election is something that is reflective of an emerging world. A new generation is sprouting out, that is brave enough to question the presuppositions of the past, of tradition and of old institutions. People are generally more willing to embrace new changes. Socially conditioned by an atmosphere of openness and greater tolerance, technologically spurred by constant introduction of the latest-and-the-greatest gadgets, coupled with an accelerating thrust toward self-expression and fulfillment of dreams, the stage is set for a new beginning. The start of a brave new world, at least mentally speaking.

Seventh, the Republican factor. Bush, despite being an honest disposition, fails to give America something to cheer about. His security policies have ushered in a climate of fear and brash challenge to those who disagree. The Iraq war and failure to locate any cache of WMD (weapons of mass destruction) mixes unfavourably with the confrontational foreign policies. For some, anything will do, as long as it is NOT Republican.

Finally, one will need to observe not only an Obama victory but the MARGIN of victory, which is unlike the previous elections between Bush and Al Gore where recount is the order of the day. The American people has delivered a clear and unambiguous message on who they want to lead the country. We need to respect that and tell ourselves, change will come. What matters now is to what, where and how?

ks

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Useful Links
(1) Obama's Victory Speech (video - part 1; part 2)
(2) Obama's Nov 4th, 2008 Victory Speech (Full Text)
(3) John McCain's Concession Speech (video)
(4) John McCain's Concession Speech (full text)

Tiring to Inspiring

Life is a never-ending flow of challenges. When at work, we are fiercely driven by demands from every corner. Deadline pressures can be overwhelming. Information overload can be distressing. Inability to meet expectations can be discouraging. At home we are fiercely driven by expectations to balance work and family, and still be able to squeeze out some time for ourselves. At social events, we are hard-pressed to put on our best selves, even to the point of masquerading our emotions under the pretext of smiles, a persona of confidence effectively maintained by a respectable set of carefully selected fashion-ware. The human ‘default’ condition is to put on one’s most handsome external, even if it means stuffing one’s messy internal into a neatly packaged box. We are indeed a very tired generation. Assaulted by a buffet of information and inundated by increasing winds of change, anything is left behind is likely to be gobbled up by the bug of worry. Visibly tired, one becomes vulnerable to weather changes, and easily swayed to marketing messages that promotes popping pills as a quick relief. How then can we cope? Some will turn to harmful drugs that work quickly but wound slowly. Gordon MacDonald, in his classic work: “Ordering Your Private World,” observes this phenomenon aptly.

“I get the feeling we are a tired generation. Evidence of that fatigue abounds in a multitude of articles about health problems related to overwork and exhaustion. Workaholism is a modern word. No matter how hard we are willing to work in our competitive world, there always seems to be someone willing to put in a few more hours than we are. What is strange about our general fatigue as a people is the fact that we are such a leisure-oriented society. We actually have what is called a leisure industry, and it is among the most profitable in our economy. Whole companies, organizations, and retail chain stores are committed to providing the goods with which people can pursue fun and good times.” (Gordon MacDonald, Ordering Your Private World, Tennessee: Evangelical Publishing, 1984, p163)

More than twenty years later, we are nowhere better than the 80s, despite having better technologies and more advanced medical knowledge, and sophisticated health curriculum. The huge success of the ‘Chicken Soup’ series highlights the modern cry for comfort and emotional therapy. Thanks to the increasing worship of technology, treating the human condition is fast becoming more of a science rather than an art. Supplementing this first technological sweep are attempts at inspiring a tired generation. Current books like Randy Pausch’s “The Last Lecture,” and Rhonda Byrne’s “The Secret” regularly top the bestseller charts. I have mentioned both works here and here. Both of these books are considered ‘inspirational’, to help one to attain one’s dream and versions of success. (I do not have a problem with Pausch, but I cannot say the same for Byrne.) Whether it is psychotherapy or emotional drugs; chicken-soup stories or inspirational ideas; suppressing one’s mood or delaying any fall toward depression, one thing is clear: An exhausted generation needs not relief but healing. Lance Secretan, in his book “Inspirational Leadership,” tries to bring some sanity and hope into such a need. He correctly identifies inspiration as coming from the Latin word spirare meaning ‘spirit.’ I am not comfortable with his ‘source’ of inspiration, (Secretan is a Shamanism-inclined spiritualist). Moreover, Secretan’s work smacks traces of Gnostic beliefs, that the spiritual is far better than the material things. This is in complete opposition to Christian theology which recognizes that every good and perfect gift comes from God, both spiritual and material. Hence, I will compare and contrast motivation and inspiration according to my understanding. Below is a table I made, highlighting the differences:

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Sin Has Never Left Us

The sin that tarnished the first couple in the Garden of Eden has never been truly expelled from the backyard of the 21st century world. Adam and Eve hide their naked conditions using clumsy leaves from the green foliage of the garden. Likewise, we in the 21st century tries to conceal our sinful selves using sophisticated devices available from the natural and synthetic production facilities aided by art, science, fashion and technology. God gave Adam and Eve, garments for clothes, and sent out of the Garden. We in the 21st century, are given Christ, that we may put on our garments of praise, and be sent out to the world to proclaim the Word, the Logos. How then can we in our sinful condition move from a tired state to an inspired shape? Motivational talks can help but will be extremely limited. Spiritual exercises brings some useful help but it alone does not suffice. Only God can do it in Christ. Jesus has said to his disciples that He is the vine and we are the branches and apart from him we can do nothing (John 15:5). Of course. Paul the Apostle says we are already dead in our sins. Only when we are made alive in Christ can we begin the path of recovery, to true fulfillment of the soul. This truth is made the more difficult to take in our sinful world. In our minds we want to believe. In our hearts we hope to embrace. However, our eyes see more struggles that seem to head down the rabbit hole of despair. News events happening around us does little to fortify any optimism of a better tomorrow. Our society is moving from these fronts:

1. Church: From Christendom to Post-Christendom
   
2. Social: From Corporate Togetherness to Isolationist Individual
   
3. Workplace: From Industrialism to Post-Industrialism
   
4. Economy: From Industrial to Information Economy
   
5. Era: From Modernity to Post-Modernity
   
6. Lifestyle: From Face-2-Face Rendezvous to Online Social Networking

I believe that despite these changes, the underlying creature behind these seismic movements remain largely the same. I have some disturbing observations of human nature. If we recognize that we are fallible, why do we behave as if others have to be infallible? Our readiness to forgive one another is a clear demonstration of my question. Can we, upon recognizing our limitations be able to show more tolerance and acceptance of one another as we are? Having said that, there is also the other angle. What if we exercise our forgiveness stance, but come across a situation whereby the wrong committed clearly need to be addressed. Like a case of stealing. Or a blatant cheating situation. How do we clearly speak up on these cases? I will suggest that if one is not sure about the manner to approach it, call upon like-minded individuals, wise people who can guide. We need such people. We need mentors to help us navigate the tricky straits of life. The young needs the older folks to learn from history and the past. The old needs the youthful generation to remind them that they are not living back in time but in contemporary culture. The middle aged who lives between the two generations need to develop their moderation to mature and be a future resource for the generations to come.

There is a very interesting prose-poem written by Oriah Mountain Dreamer. Oriah is a Shamanist, who is currently on an indefinite sabbatical. She is not an evangelical. I am not even sure if she is a Christian. Her adopted name 'mountain dreamer' means 'the one who likes to push the edge.' Her writings are influenced by a type of spirituality called Shamanism, which aims to be in sync with the spirit world. Oriah, because of her beliefs encourages readers to be inspired by reading and meditating on the 'Invitation.' However, the problem I have lies in the next step. Where do we direct our spiritual concentration? On Self or on the Triune God? On the animal and natural spirits or on the Holy Spirit? Oriah's invitation is open. Far too open for comfort.

For Christians, we take comfort that we commune not with the spirits of the world but we pray in the Spirit of Christ. The following from Oriah's "The Invitation" can be read profitably when we do so with a focus on the mind of Christ. Imagine the invitation is given by a spiritual director. Using this, then direct your prayers to God the Father and ask the Spirit to meet our longings. Move from a tired self to an inspired soul.

THE INVITATION
It doesn’t interest me what you do for a living.
I want to know what you ache for
and if you dare to dream of 
meeting your heart’s longing.

It doesn’t interest me how old you are.
I want to know if you will risk 
looking like a fool
for love
for your dream
for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn’t interest me 
what planets are squaring your moon...
I want to know if you have touched 
the centre of your own sorrow
if you have been opened by life’s betrayals
or have become shrivelled and closed
from fear of further pain.

I want to know if you can sit with pain
mine or your own
without moving to hide it
or fade it
or fix it.

I want to know if you can be with joy
mine or your own
if you can dance with wildness
and let the ecstasy fill you 
to the tips of your fingers and toes
without cautioning us
to be careful
to be realistic
to remember the limitations of being human.

It doesn’t interest me if the story 
you are telling me is true.
I want to know if you can 
disappoint another 
to be true to yourself.
If you can bear the accusation of betrayal
and not betray your own soul.
If you can be faithless
and therefore trustworthy.

I want to know if you can see Beauty
even when it is not pretty
every day.
And if you can source your own life 
from its presence.

I want to know if you can live with failure
yours and mine
and still stand at the edge of the lake
and shout to the silver of the full moon,
“Yes.”

It doesn’t interest me
to know where you live or 
how much money you have.
I want to know if you can get up
after the night of grief and despair
weary and bruised to the bone
and do what needs to be done
to feed the children.

It doesn’t interest me who you know
or how you came to be here.
I want to know if you will stand
in the centre of the fire
with me
and not shrink back.

It doesn’t interest me where 
or what or with whom
you have studied.
I want to know what sustains you
from the inside
when all else falls away.

I want to know if you can be alone 
with yourself
and if you truly like the company you keep
in the empty moments.

From: Oriah Mountain Dreamer, "The Invitation" Harper Collins San Francisco, 1999

ks

A Prediction....

This picture somewhat sums up the mood for Canada, their expectation as well as prediction of the next US President.