BY ELIZABETH KYENGO
I love traveling and I do so- though not as often as Frederick Matthias Alexander, founder of the Alexander Technique of traveling, seems to have traveled; but I am quite challenged in that his travel is clearly enriching from the lessons of his encounters. Daily encounters affect our lives, but differently depending on our perspectives. Alexander chose to turn every encounter into a lesson class of success. “Lessons that Alexander learns are the benefits that a giving heart receives. It is better to give than to receive. And as he experiences the stories of each of the people he meets in each country that he visits, Alexander’s heart expands to bring everyone in. By the end of the trip, Alexander is a changed man and he goes on to lead a productive life, successful on his life’s path”. He summarizes his journey into key lessons that you and I can apply and be just like him- turn our experiences into success stories. These lessons are expansive in nature and influence, demonstrated best through various life testimonies of great people as quoted.
The Value of Inner Wealth.
“A man’s true wealth is the good he gives to the world.” Mohammed. Deepak Chopra said, “The gifts of caring, attention, affection, appreciation, and love are some of the most precious gifts you can give, and they don’t cost you anything.” And Mother Theresa said, “Make me appreciative of the dignity of my high vocation and its many responsibilities. Never permit me to disgrace it by giving way to coldness, unkindness, and impatience. And another scholar, Mathew in his book; Matthew 6:20 – 21, said, “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Clearly, valuing people more than things is a sure way to lasting wealth and success.
A Meaningful Life
T.S. Eliot said, “To do the useful thing; to say the courageous thing; to contemplate the beautiful thing—that is enough for one man’s life.” Mark Victor Hanson said, “I think the great livers—the people who are fully self-actuating and alive—are the great givers.” And then, George D. Boardman said, “Let us not say every man is the architect of his own future; but let us say every man is the architect of his own character.” The wisest man who ever lived, Solomon, said in his book: Proverbs 16:32 -Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city. Meaningful life is engineered from within.
The Miracle of the Moment
Now is all we’ve got, the past and the future are really illusions from the universal side of life—it’s the everlasting here and now. Eleanor Roosevelt said, “The purpose of life is to live it. To taste experience to the utmost. To reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.” She was a great First Lady. Nelson Mandela said, “We must use time wisely and forever realize that the time is always right to do right.” And Mark Victor Hanson said, “Miracles never cease to amaze me. I expect them. But their consistent arrival is always delightful to experience. Ecclesiastes 9:11- I returned and saw under the sun that— The race is not to the swift, Nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to men of understanding, nor favor to men of skill, But time and chance happen to them all. Solomon admonishes us to seize the moments in life, not to wait for tomorrow as it really never comes day is an opportunity to serve.
Conquering Challenges
Everyone faces challenges and so often endeavors to conquer them. Alexander, too had several of them from which he learned some great lessons that we too can learn. Helen Keller “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid but he who conquers that fear.” Nelson Mandela, “Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of overcoming of it.” And Zig Ziglar said, “When obstacles arise, you change your direction to reach your goal—you do not change your decision to get there.” And Timothy in his book said, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2Tim1:7 KJV. As your faith grows, your perspective changes and so do your challenges- they become surmountable.
Leadership
GREAT Leadership is governed with principles as sampled herewith. Ziglar says, “Outstanding people have one thing in common—an absolute sense of mission.” Every leader does. Napoleon said, “A leader is a dealer in hope.” Wow! And Emerson said, “Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” Mathew 20:26 NIV- Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant. True leaders exemplify, Mathew, the writer of the book of Mathew confirms: humility, integrity and availability. These are qualities definitive of true leadership that impact.
Sharing true Love
Mother Theresa said, “Let us not be satisfied with just giving money. Money is not enough. Money must be gotten, but they need your hearts to love them; so spread your love everywhere you go.” Conrad Hilton said, “As the funds you will expend have come from many places in the world, so let there be no territorial, religious or color restrictions on your benefactions. But beware of organized, professional charities with high salaried executives and a heavy ratio of expense.” I guess! And Princess Diana said, “I don’t go by the rule book. I lead from the heart and not the head.” Everything must be done on the basis of love.
“When obstacles arise, you change your direction to reach your goal—you do not change your decision to get there.”
-Zig Ziglar
“Love” remained the most searched-for term in English at Bible Gateway in 2019, as it has been in previous years. People are in great pain for not finding love. John 3:16 – For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. Corinthians 13:3 – If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Apostle Paul made Love an absolute non-negotiable tool of true success and influence.
I conclude with a saying from my Mentor and Trainer Bob Proctor – “The Mind is a Center for Divine Operations and Devine Operations are for Expansion and Fuller expression.” Let’s open ourselves up to be spent by and for the world divinely. When we serve with the heart, we will not hurt people, but rather, build and expand them.
Elizabeth Kyengo is the founding member and MD of InaaRe Consulting Group whose vision is to ReConstruct broken links, ReShaping Perspectives, and ReGain values for a meaningful life. She is an inspirational leader, Supply Chain and Finance expert, logistics advisor as well and corporate and governance expert.
