Second Chance

“Please allow me to show you how much of what you have spent a lifetime of effort to accumulate … does not belong to you” was a phrase that never failed to grab the attention of clients in my past life as a financial advisor. Though his perspective was not the one that I referred to in those moments of economic structuring and planning, the statement made by Chief Black Hawk certainly sums up the discussion with eloquence and finality that supercedes any that I have ever made. For when he grappled with the problem of reconciliation with those invading “Settlers” wishing to lay claim to lands and properties that had been known to the Native American as a place provided by The Breath Giver for the benevolent sustaining of life, he said “Nothing can be owned but such things as can be carried away.” And, as one who has been present as a man left this mortal plane and translated into that which lies beyond, I can attest to the fact that nothing was “carried away.”

Of late, I have had my attention drawn to the business of what we, as individuals and as a nation, are investing ourselves in. How much of ourselves we are translating into those things that we will never "carry away.” And those alternative considerations that promise unending dividends in the enhancement of the lives of others and even in the welfare and health of our planet. “So” you may ask “how do we determine where the investment, of my life’s efforts, is being made?” Look to your deposit receipts. “For where your treasure is accumulated … there your heart’s intention is also” is the direction given by biblical reference. You see, Dear Friend, when we survey our “deposit receipts” we see either material stuff, or things of spiritual value. And that tells us where our affections lie. For when all of our energies are directed toward the enhancement of our physical comfort with ever-greater housing, entertainment, adornment (clothing, jewelry, cosmetic enhancements), and sensory satisfactions, there can be little doubt as to whether or not we have our hearts set on what we perceive as our ownership of this physical vehicle in which we exercise a fleetingly-brief habitation. Whereas, when we reflect on our yesterdays and see smiling faces, enhanced lives, benefited communities, and enrichend spirits, we are appreciating deposit receipts that show account balances in non-degrading and inflation-proof investments.

I genuinely hope that peoples of the world at large do not avail themselves of the opportunity to look at real estate advertisements in The States. For I would shrink in embarrassment under the scrutiny of the many who live healthy and happy lives without the convenience of indoor plumbing facilities whilst we here in the US advertise for buyers of mini-castles that flaunt multiple “full” baths and numerous additional “half” baths in structures intended for occupation by but one small family. And we have convinced ourselves that to have even more unused bathroom facilities is something that is a social and financial necessity! I smile with delight when I peruse advertisements for homes in other countries and see “space sufficient for installation of toilet” offered as an enhancement for those requiring such consideration. What is deemed an absolute necessity for rational living in this country is seen by others as an optional possibility.

Then I read about and listen to accounts of the kindness and generosity of spirit and resources exercised by many peoples around this tiny globe that we share … set against the parallel accounts of a society that is investing its mental, emotional, and physical resources in monuments to excess that can never “be carried away.” “Why is this of importance to me in the living of my life today?” you may ask. We are not only at a personal crossroad each time that we opt between “for me” and “for you” when considering our behaviors and attitudes … but, I submit, we, as Americans, are at a crossroad of global significance right now … at this very moment.

I pay heed to several recent interviews of former advisors and counselors to the very highest offices in the US, who are now stressing the critical importance of a new, three-pronged national mindset that must be adopted by the leadership of the United States if we hope to reclaim a position of global respect and prominence in esteem. They state that we must make a priority of (1) Respecting the Diversities of others and their beliefs, (2) granting the inherent Dignity of all individuals, and (3) promoting Social Justice for ALL. These three, as repeatedly stated by prominent thinkers and leaders, are all critical necessities for the mindset and national commitment of the peoples of the USA if we hope to ever regain any claim to the respect of the rest of the world.

Did you notice that none of those necessities are of a material or physical nature? No … they are all of the stuff that has lasting an ever-compounding value. They are the very essence of spiritual worth. So, what the discussion, on panels of thinkers and responsible leaders, is focusing on is the absolute necessity for the investment of our nation’s resources in aspects of meaningful and responsible living. Therefore, I heartily recommend your reading of “Second Chance” by Zbigniew Brzezinski, in which he quietly and beautifully describes how the United States can claim a “second chance” in redeeming herself in the eyes of the world that she shares. This is about as political as you will ever see me be … for this is not, in fact, political at all … it is the business of Life … for us all.