Give someone a Fish they eat for a day. – That's Good
Give someone a rod and they can provide for their family. – That's even better
Teach them not only how to fish but how to teach and nuture others and you give them a few fishing rods so that they can employ others then you are on to something – THAT'S THE BEST!
Yes its harder yes it takes longer!
Be patient!
The ongoing ripple effects through the generations and through creating jobs, hope and dignity are much much bigger than we could imagine. The best part is if you do it right you can eventually move out the way and they will continue to grow without you!
My Great Aunt Philly taught me this rhyme as a child!
"Good, better, best. Never let it rest, till your good is better, and your better best!"
I can't find anyone saying it on Google so it must be original.
One of the biggest reasons start ups fail to reach potential is because the founder won't let go of their baby and they end up squeezing the life out of the thing till it dies, gets overtaken or limps on like a wounded dog.
With our world moving quicker and quicker it becomes harder and harder to get projects away, to see them flourish and hit that Gladwell coined Tipping Point.
The only way I can see around this in my experience is to give it away.
Find people you like, people who share your vision, people who are going in a similar direction who are different to you and disagree with you and give it away to them.
Break bread with them.
Sink with them.
Swim with them.
Give away authority not just responsibility.
On the rare occasion I have managed to do this effectively my overheads are lower, productivity goes through the roof and the adventure gets into full swing.
The Charter for Compassion has just launched in a bid to promote compassion in every country!
Brilliant!
I want to be someone who is moved by compassion to act, and act well.
I would love to see a Charter for Grace alongside compassion.
I think we can all check ourselves and see where we are falling short in this area.
Its interesting that I didn't see any obviously Christian organisations in their partner list.
I don't believe that "all ways lead to god or enlightenment" but I do think the message of true compassion is among the most important that I want to carry as I journey.
There are many gaps in life but they don't last long.
People who are meant to do their job, don't do it and someone else who may or may not be better at it will come in and fill the void…..quickly!
There are plenty of people blowing their lids this week at how outrageous Nick Griffin is
The reality though is that Nick Griffin and the British National Party are not where the focus should be.
The focus should be on who created the gap by not doing their job?
Some people are starting to vote for the BNP because they are different, some voters have lost their patience with the dominant parties with their lies and corruption and are asking for something different.
If Nick Griffin was exterminated as some protesters would wish for it would not solve anything as the void remains and it would be filled by someone else offering a different solution.
We need mainstream politicians who put their money where their mouth is, act with transparency and simplicity, meet their constituents where they are and lead as if they were servants rather than Kings.
They don't need to be perfect but they do need to share their imperfections with us before we find out, which we will!
I am sure if this were the case then the topic of Nick Griffin would fade away.
Similarly…………..
There will probably be Christians in Surrey who will see this shop and
be offended.
They may talk to their friends and maybe even write a
disapproving letter to the council or shopping mall owner who allowed
this shop to open, asking if not demanding that it be shut immediately.
The reality is if this new shop proves successful it will be because they have accurately detected a gap in the spiritual market in surrey.
The sign on the right says "Healing here today!" The shop seemed busy in the 2 minutes I observed it.
My question to those Christians who might look on disapprovingly is when was the last time you tried to actively fill the gap rather than pointing the finger at others you disagree with.
When did you last ask someone if they needed healing or offer to pray for someone on the street?
When did you create a space for the general public to meet you, access what you are about, ask questions and have a dialogue?
Are you acting with transparency and simplicity and act to serve the community you live in?
There are gaps in life if you don't fill them someone will.
I like to write about things I see and stuff that happens to me. I spend a lot of time developing mobile web platforms. I love Africa and love challenging whether things really need to be the way they are today. Read more...
