Our human frailty

“If the full moon loves you, why worry about the stars?” – African proverb

In one of his letters, Mark Twain, one of the most celebrated humourist and writers in our humanity, wrote, “There isn’t time, so brief is life, for bickerings, apologies, heartburnings, callings to account.

There is only time for loving.” His intention might have to inspire the recipient nor to dwell on the challenges of misunderstandings, but altogether, this aphorism of Mark Twain offers a practical compass for modern existence.

Yes, the words are simple enough to sound like something whispered by a father as he pats a son on the back to let go of his grudge with another sibling, but refracted through the light of understanding the world has been blessed with over the last half a century, it can become a holistic philosophy to live by.

As a people striving to give our best in every situation, the observation of Mark Twain challenges us to perceive life is a grand stage, where each of us steps into the spotlight to play our role. Some scenes are already scripted, to represent the many moments in life we do not control. The remaining scenes are improvised to cater for the moments we grace life with our signatures. The audience watching are our family, friends, colleagues and those whose lives we touch in ways we may never fully see.

In this drama, there is one constant; time. She may appear unassuming, but she is the ultimate tyrant. She does not, and will not pause for you in any circumstance,  be it your indecisions or inactions.

She does not, and will not slow down for our busyness, and she never rewinds for our regrets. In appearance, she is a beautiful hourglass who keeps spilling grain by grain, quietly but firmly, as the acts of our lives unfold. Mark Twain captured this truth beautifully in the opening line like a soliloquy: “There isn’t time, so brief is life…” This statement is so essential because, we often let unnecessary bickerings take the shape of politics, bruised egos, and turf wars. We postpone apologies, let resentments simmer, and spend valuable energy guarding our corners. But every moment spent in that cycle is a moment lost. And time, the tyrant, does not give it back.

She does that because she wants us to understand the moments as opportunities and not our possessions. The challenge for us, as leaders and professionals, is to distinguish between what is urgent and what is truly important.

Targets, deadlines, and strategies matter, but all of them are a part of the script we do not control. The part we control is steeped in how we treat people, how we build trust, and how we show up for one another. These are the memories that echo long after the curtain falls.

Today, take a moment to picture the final act of your life’s play. What do you want the audience to remember? The grudges? The titles? Or the way you inspired others, built bridges, forgave quickly, and led with your heart, instead of a system?

Any moment from now, time will close the curtain for each of us, whether we are ready or not. The choice we have is how well we are going to play our part on the stage while the spotlight shines on us. Remember at funerals the eulogies that touch us are those that project the warmth of the relationships the person nurtured whilst alive.

The call them is for us to make our performance worthy of remembrance. We must learn to use our brief time to build legacies that matter. The ideal is to mentor others, open doors for people, and to practice justice wherever you find yourself. We must stop waiting for apologies like we are collecting trophies. People make mistakes. If you hoard grievances, you will die with a heavy chest. And if you care to know, it is the worst kind of death.

Rather, treat love as active solidarity. In a world riddled with division, choosing love, which comprises of forgiveness, empathy, and inclusion, among many other virtues, is a radical act of leadership. Love here means genuine goodwill, camaraderie, and sharing joy. Be the one who lifts spirits, not sours the air. It will ennoble your to see and understand that the politics around us is only a theatre of egos. Then you will be empowered to step back and laugh, and thereby free your soul..

The post Our human frailty appeared first on The Business & Financial Times.

Read Full Story