I cannot be governed by what others seek. . .

Robert Owen was a welsh Industrialist who was obsessed with making the world a better place and developing a Utopian like community. . .This is a story from his multi-faceted life.

Robert began his professional life as a manufacturer of textile machinery. But in an effort to move up professionally he applied for a job as the factory manager for a large spinning establishment owned by a Mr. Drinkwater. With no experience with spinning mills, and at only 20 years old he decided to apply for the job and the following is the outcome.

"I put on my hat," wrote Owen "and proceeded straight to Mr. Drinkwater's counting house. 'How old are you?' 'twenty this may', was my reply. 'How often do you get drunk in the week?'. . .'I was never,' I said, 'drunk in my life,' blushing scarlet at this unexpected question. 'What salary to you ask?' 'Three hundred a year,' was my reply. 'What?' Mr. Drinkwater said, with some surprise, repeating the words, 'three hundred a year! I had this morning I know not how many seeking the situation and I do not think all their asking together would amount to what you require.' 'I cannot be governed by what others seek,' said I, ' and I cannot take less." He got the Job and within six months was offered a quarter interest in the business.

  "I cannot be governed by what others seek". . .what a powerful phrase. It shows confidence and comfort with one's self that brought him success, self-respect and the respect of others.  He wasn't a man that was governed by the world around him. Because of that he ultimately created a community called New Lanark that was world famous. In fact over 20,000 visitors came to see this little Scottish town in less than 10 years.

Why was it such a remarkable place? The city was organized, every worker had his own house, Children were in school not factories and finally the door of the factory was open to anyone for objections or suggestions. It became a model for other cities in many nations, and still is. All because one man was not governed by what other's seek.

What conclusions could I draw?

I'm more concerned about the conclusions that you draw.

Story and Quotes taken from the Book "The Worldy Philosphers," By Robert L. Heilbroner, 1999, , Simon and Schuster

Just tolerance. . .or something more?

This world today seems obsessed with tolerance. Test it - do a google image search of the word "Tolerance". I did  and these were the first three images I found;

That's not a bad thing, but could we do, or be, better?

It's interesting that the word "Tolerance" is never used in the King James Version of the Bible. In fact the word "Tolerable" is only used as a way to show that some one's - or some city's - punishment may be more "tolerable" then another. (Matthew 11:22, 11:24, and others) Why is that? How could such an important idea be mentioned so little in this powerful and life changing book?

Is there another word that might better define what we are - or should be- trying to teach? Could it be that Tolerance is actually a characteristic, or attribute, of another much more powerful word?

The answer may be found in the study of some synonyms of Tolerance;  Patience, Sufferance, Forbearance. . .etc.

Is there one word that could encompass this list?

Paul from the Bible may provide us with the best answer in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 - "Charity suffereth long, and is kind, Charity envieth not . . . is not puffed up. . .is not easily provoked. . .thinketh no evil. .endureth all things. . ." 

Tolerance is an attribute of Charity.

What is Charity? It has many definitions; The true love of Christ, brotherly love, benevolent feeling, leniency in Judging others, the highest form of love, and so forth.

Does the world understand that? Try it, do a google image search - (But make sure safe search is on)

Here is the first one I found;

The second and third were pictures of scantily clad woman, the fourth was a bunch of hands.

Does the world understand Charity? The world seems to associate it more with women or the giving of money than what it truly is - The Christ like love of others.

Perhaps we should teach Tolerance with Charity, or better yet, teach Charity with Tolerance. It's not just about an attitude of tolerance toward others. it's about feeling and  developing  true Christ like love and compassion for those around you, no matter their color, class, race, height, size, sex, religion, political leanings, or sexual orientation.  Only then will ourselves, our families, neighborhoods, cities, nations and world become what they could and should.

Paul in Corinthians said;

 "though I have the gift of prophecy, and understanding all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity and I am nothing."

Perhaps this is the biggest problem we face. . .the time has come to change.

A lofty goal. But it begins with you. . .It begins with me

Which one wins?

This was emailed to me. . .I thought I woudl post it.

An Old Cherokee Saying: 

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people.  He said, "My son, the battle is between two wolves inside us all.

"One is Evil - It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

"The other is Good - It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather:  "Which wolf wins?"

The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

So many times I hear the phrase; "It's just the way I am." Uttered from my own and other's mouths. But is it really, or is it the "wolf" we happen to be feeding?

Decide now which wolf to feed and YOU DECIDE what type of person you will be.

Questions

Life is full of so many questions. We question ourselves, we question our spouse, our children, our friends, those we don't know and, even at times, our God. It was in the last instance that a very important question was asked and a valuable lesson taught. That question, if used more frequently and sincerely, would have a powerful impact on individuals, families and the world.

It occurred during a very sacred and special moment when Jesus Christ taught his apostles of his sacrifice and the passover.  On this occasion, with his apostles seated around him, he uttered a phrase that must have startled and saddened those with whom he ate; "Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me."

There was no finger pointing by those around him, only sorrow, indeed they were "very sorrowful". Following this declaration His humble table companions, one by one, asked; " Lord is it I "? 

What a lesson. Instead of accusing or judging, each humbly looked inside and asked is it I? Is it me? Am I the one who is going to betray You?

 Many times when counsel or correction is given, we, tend to think of those it could help. We learn of a problem in the world, or in our own life, and find others to blame. We so frequently see the faults others have, yet overlook the same, or more serious, faults in ourselves.

Surely it could not be me. . .or could it? What if it is us that needs to change, show more love, or is too judgmental.

This one question if asked more frequently could change lives. . .our own lives. We would be more able to love because we would be more focused on our own self-improvement and not the improvement of others. We would be more forgiving as the faults we see in those around us would also be recognized as our own, and that the struggle for self-mastery is universal work.

. . .Is it I?

Do we. . .I ask it enough?

It could be the difference in anger and rejection  -or-  love and acceptance.

The true picture?

Who is this a picture of?

Now walk back from your computer. Keep going.

Who is it now?

So. . .who is this a picture of?

The only person who really knows is the creator. . .

 . . .The Creator.

This same lesson was taught  much more powerfully to Ananias in the book of Acts, in the New Testament.

Ananias was told in Acts chapter 9 to go and find Saul and Heal him. The same Saul who "made havoc of the church", "committed them to prison" and was a  witness the stoning of the Apostle Stephen.

This is what Ananias sees in Saul. "I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem. . .he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name."

Now take a step Back. This is what The Creator sees.

"Go thy way for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel.

Ananias does as directed. Saul becomes Paul and serves numerous missions, writes much of the New Testament and eventually dies a martyr to the cause of Christ. All because one man saw what The Creator saw.

Perhaps when we see people and begin to make a judgement we should take a step back and ask and try to see what The Creator sees.

What a difference it would make if we all saw what the Creator sees, If I saw what The Creator saw.