Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Greatness continues: Booker T. Washington

After a failed attempt at reading Mandela’s other compilation of writings (too disconnected for me), I downloaded a free copy of Booker T. Washington’s autobiography, “Up From Slavery.”  It knocked my socks off. 

#2 Greatness is cultivated and maintained through hard work to benefit others as much as if not more than oneself.

Booker T. Washington was one hardworking man.  As a boy he was a slave.  While still a boy, he was freed by the Emancipation Proclamation. Then through an inspiring path became a lifelong educator and founder of what is now known as Tuskegee University, one of the first all-black institutes of higher education. Two ways Booker T. Washington exemplified the principle of “right living” and hard work is:

1.  He was convinced that the advancement of his people depended on hard work.

“I believe that my race will succeed in proportion as it learns to do a common thing in an uncommon manner; learns to do a thing so thoroughly that no one can improve upon what it has done; learns to make its services of indispensable value. This was the spirit that inspired me in my first effort at Hampton, when I was given the opportunity to sweep and dust that schoolroom.  In a degree I felt that my whole future life depended upon the thoroughness with which I cleaned that room and I was determined to do it so well that no one could find any fault with the job.

I think the whole future of my race hinges on the question as to whether or not it can make itself of such indispensable value that the people in the town and the state where we reside will feel that our presence is necessary to the happiness and well-being of the community.  No man who continues to add something to the material, intellectual and moral well-being of the place in which he lives is long left without proper reward. This is a great human law…” – Booker T. Washington

2.  He recognized the indomitable value of service, a form of love.

“In meeting men, in many places, I have found that the happiest people are those who do the most for others; the most miserable are those who do the least.”

And this is coming from a former slave, a man who’s live was bound in all possible ways by a dehumanizing institution and group of people that perpetuated the system.


Recently I’ve been faced with a staffing decision.  We have a team member who is ok but not really adding value to the team.  Often responding to tasks but not initiating them.  My follow-up with them on assigned tasks has become the norm rather than the exception.  For better or worse, I thought of that person often when reading and re-reading these quotes.  

It has also causes me to take another look at my own work ethic.  Am I pouring my passion and energy into doing my best for the good of the team and the organization or am I doing just what is expected of me?  I will be the first to admit I’m not that intense when it comes to work.  Living and working in this national emergency context over the past few months has changed that drastically.  I’ve never worked so hard (at my paid jobJ) and poured my energies into the service of another country in my life. It’s been fulfilling in a way I never would have imagined.  Booker T. was definitely onto something.

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Greatness lesson: Mandela

I’m starting a series on greatness, inspired by folks you probably know.

My inspiration -- Over the past few months I’ve read and watched a number of autobiographies.  It started with watching Invictus, a gift from Simone and Morris <wave & smiles> when they visited me in Benin earlier this year.  Seeing Mandela portrayed as such a remarkable man and leader inspired me to read his book, “A Long Road to Freedom”.  Though I was previously turned off by the length and weight of it, downloading it to my e-reader made it easily accessible and portable. It was worth every page!

Sidenote: If you want to read more and have some waiting/travel/down time, get an e-reader! As the Liberians say, “I beg of you”.  I think it’s one of the best investments I’ve ever made.  

From Mandela I learned that no man can be great unless he’s wrestled with and decided to move forward in doing what is right despite the inner and outer “demons” threatening to get in his way.  Mandela wasn’t any smarter than me or you and, like us, was well-acquainted with difficulties and inner struggles.  He persevered nonetheless.


#1: The root of greatness is dog-stubborn “stick-to-it-iveness” or perseverance despite internal or external resistance. 

Many know about the acclaimed battles Mandela fought against the apartheid regime.  Yet some of his greatest triumphs were personal.  I am convinced that these inner achievements, many of which occurred during his decades in prison, built the foundation for public victories.  Below are two ways he persevered in his personal life:

1.  Exercising regularly
Exercise dissipates tension and tension is the enemy of serenity.  I found that I worked better and thought more clearly when I was in good physical condition, and so training became one of the inflexible disciplines of my life.” – Mandela
Having struggled with doing regular exercise most of my adult life, feeling compelled but not always motivated to maintain the habit, Mandela’s words impacted me.  Exercise in times of difficulty isn’t only a good idea physically but also has mental and emotional benefits. Right now I’m into PraiseMoves, Zumba, tennis and I may join a bike riding club. I’m now engaging in regular exercise to fuel perseverance. 

2.  Pursuing contentment
To survive in prison, one must develop ways to take satisfaction in one’s daily life.  One can feel fulfilled by washing one’s clothes so that they are particularly clean, by sweeping a hallway so that it is empty of dust, by organizing one’s cell to conserve as much space as possible.  The same pride one takes in more consequential tasks outside of prison, one can find in doing small things inside of prison.“ – Mandela 
I’m really feeling this one.  Finding contentment in doing the smallest tasks well truly helps us build a sense of accomplishment and self-worth, which comes in handy when we are faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles and setbacks.  If I washed two loads of laundry and spent quality time in my hammock reading, by golly, I can tackle submitting that paper on time!  This satisfaction applies not only to work but also to play.  As I grow older. I’m learning to allow myself to schedule and take deep satisfaction in resting.

Recently during a conversation with a dear friend, we discussed how life is like compound interest.  It’s not simply that our decisions and investments add up or multiply, but that they add up and multiply building on one another yielding more than we can imagine for better or worse. 

Our moments of fame and recognition may be as scarce as good ice cream in West Africa but opportunities to persevere despite obstacles abound.  Right now, my single friends and I are persevering to find our partners in life – a husband or wife. In the meanwhile, each day we continue to pray, encourage one another, and invest our time building healthy relationships. Ultimately we are working to realize God’s full purpose and plan for our lives.


So what are you persevering in right now?  

You may have already had the privilege of seeing the fruit of your endeavors.  

I’d love to hear about it if you'd like to share.