… had an amazing day yesterday…
We spent a day at the Gettysburg battlegrounds, learning through the eyes of two amazing and animated historians that not only brought the battle to life through their words but also tied the core successes and failings of the competing strategies to everyday business.
It always amazes me, how interesting and fun learning can be, when it is taught by people that are passionate about the topic.
I certainly see it in my children. The “best” teachers are almost always the “favorite” teachers. And the “favorite” teachers are the ones that make learning fun, by making the material interesting and relevant.
We can’t travel through time (at least not yet), but a great and passionate story teller can transport us through time in our minds and imaginations.
The lead historian that was facilitating the talk yesterday was a bundle of harmony. You can see harmony in people’s eyes, in their genuine smiles, in their kind and gracious words, in their passion, and in the way they make you feel always welcome into the conversation.
At the end of the day, one of my wonderful colleagues asked me, “So what did you take away from today?”
Tough question…
We had talked about lots of very interesting concepts;
Cognitive bias (a topic we will have to explore with harmony)
Toxic leadership
Strategy
War
Separating Personal from Professional behavior
Etc.
Etc.
And, there was also great learning about the battle itself.
But, the most valuable and impactful lesson for me from yesterday, I suspect, is the unbridled passion of our lead historian.
I am always surprised by the power of passion, and specially about focused passion.
I thought to myself, “He is as passionate about the Civil War as I am about Harmony.”
He couldn’t get enough of it.
As much as he knows, and he has an amazingly rich and thorough understanding about the battle, he continues to read new books on the topic to understand it even better.
And, his passion
was
just
captivating.
We were a group of about 20 people. And, we are a group of people that struggles to stay off email for more than a few minutes at a time.
Everyone was engaged.
Everyone was interested.
When I was occasionally on my phone reading emails ON DOWN TIME, and he continued to talk to people around me, I was aware that I was missing something of value.
So, the main lesson for me, was that educated passion engages.
People think that I am passionate. (At least they tell me so).
And, I do love what I do, and the opportunity of everyday.
And yet, I am still driving with my feet on the brake.
I am still not pedal to the metal on harmony.
I need to unleash myself with harmony.
Share it more openly as the foundation to our corporate strategy.
Continue to educate myself so that I can tie the endless business lessons to the principles of harmony.
I need to continue to relate it to examples about the self, relationships, management, strategy, etc. It applies to all of them.
At dinner, I was at a table with a group of colleagues that said they had heard about this amazing philosophy that I speak of, and that I had to share it.
Honestly, when people say that, my first thought is “are they making fun of me?”
I am still touched when people are sincere about their interest in it, which is essentially always when they ask about it.
I am still scared of being seen as overly touchy feely.
I so need to get over it.
I am who I am.
I believe what I believe.
Many people have affirmed that harmony provides real value for them.
It was a fascinating day.
I am fortunate to get these opportunities to learn from amazing people with frequency.
I think about my life and my opportunities
And
Compare it
To the hardships of these young military men
That fought on the rolling hills
Of Gettysburgh
Only 150 years ago…
I am in awe of their bravery,
Their courage,
Their valor.
I get lost in the thought of those young men,
Walking in formation
Shoulder to shoulder
Knowing that their death
Was likely
Eminent.
I wonder with great curiosity, how many of them where in a mindset of harmony? How many were aware of the important mission that they were on? How many stepped onto the battle field embracing the possibility of their own death, WANTING to give their life for the cause? How many stepped onto the battefield WANTING to stay alive? How many souls were full of angst and fear and disharmony, wishing they could be somewhere else?
The possibility and the magnitude of that disharmony is overwhelming to me. It is even greater than the weight of the reality of the tens of thousands of lives that were lost in only 3 days.
The amount of death and bloodshed was beyond brutal. I have insatiable curiosity and empathy for the men, and the families of those men who fought so heroically, so barbarically to keep a dream alive.
It begs the question for me, what am I voluntarily willing to die for?
The thought of dying in war as a child scared me out of my boots. The thought of dying now as an adult in the pursuit of freedom seems like a completely worthy, rational and noble cause.
The value of life becomes such an expendable asset in a time of war. We trade lives like we trade bullets.
WAR is the ULTIMATE DISHARMONY.
So, we must continue to learn the lessons from war to do whatever we can to prevent them in the future...
I am grateful for their sacrifice,
And grateful for the sacrifice of everyone in the military.
I am in awe of the resolve and vision of President Lincoln, and General Lee.
I am aware of this amazing and generally peaceful time in which I get to live, and the ridiculous comfort that I so very often take for granted.
I realize that young kids continue to die in brutal battles as we speak in different parts of the world.
Always reflecting...
Always learning...
… had an amazing day yesterday…
Yours in harmony,
Nestor