I am still plodding my way through Rabbi Edwin H. Friedman’s Failure
of Nerve: Leadership in the Age of the Quick Fix. (Church Publishing, Inc.,
2006) I am plodding through it, on my second reading of it, because there is so
much to reflect upon. I read a bit, and then think a bit. Sometimes, I have to
read something else to give my mind and spirit some rest.
Today, sitting outside on a delightfully
pleasant day, following many of high temperature and stifling humidity, under
the glorious canopy of our large maple tree, Friedman was speaking about the three
factors which determine survival: the physical reality, dumb luck, and the
response of the organism. (Kindle location 2734) He maintains that our response
to any toxic/threatening situation is key to our ability to survive.
Our potential response combines all those traits mentioned in
previous chapters that enable self-definition and self-regulation: the richness
of our repertoire of resources, including persistence, stamina, resiliency,
hope (that is broad horizons), and the capacity to think systemically in the
first place. (Kindle location 2759-2766)
His enlargement on the word “hope” as being “broad horizons”
struck me. Immediately, I remembered the scriptural definition of faith. Now faith is the assurance of things hoped
for, the conviction of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1) Our survival does
not depend on what our eyes can see, as much as it depends on the breadth of
our imagination to hold on to that is not seen.
There are many who cannot see beyond the moment, or at best
beyond today. Their imagination cannot see beyond the present reality. They
are, in some respects, the walking dead. The only thing which animates them is
the natural life process which keeps the body alive. Can one imagine a day when
hunger will be eliminated; when wars cease; when cures for diseases will be
discovered; when racism will be an archaic word found only in old dictionaries?
Very good, Wayne!
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