Core Values in practice

Today was the second day of our GPF leaders' meeting adventure workshop. I experienced the GPF Core Values in a vivid way today:

Wenatchee National Forest, team strategizing

Living for the Greater Good: My team was doing an orienteering activity to find all the dispersed flags throughout a certain area on a map. We had been exhaustively hiking all day and gotten all the flags except one, and it was my responsibility to lead the team to the last flag. I was motivated to give the team a good experience and victoriously complete the activity in the allotted time to inspire the other teams.

Dream Big: However, I knew that I was also responsible to pick up another team from another location. They called me to request a pickup right when I was about to lead my team to the last flag. I wanted to be responsible to pick up the other team in time, but I also wanted to give my team a victory as well. I determined that I could do both. It was a challenging goal.

Ownership: I realized that the longer I took to make a decision, the longer both teams would lose. John Dickson, not knowing my responsibility to pick up the other team, suggested I run ahead to find the flag while the rest of the team caught up. I decided to go ahead with this idea, knowing in the back of my mind that I needed to find the flag very quickly or the other team would be waiting longer.

Teamwork: I rushed to the supposed location of the flag, but it was no where to be found! In despair, I frantically looked about. Then, to my surprise, seconds later my whole team came rushing around me to cover the area. I later learned that as soon as I had took my head start, the rest of my team, many of whom are over 60, took up my steady jog pace and were trailing behind me. They took on my responsibility instantly and allowed me to go back to pick up the other team without any more delay, even without my mentioning to them at all about my situation. They were united in my desire to bring our team's victory and thus we could successfully find the final flag in time, I found out when I returned.

Small actions have big effects

Today I learned a valuable experience through hiking. I learned that small actions have big effects.
I thought the hike would be easy,  and that small assumption lead to a big deal  when I wasn't concerned enough to remember to bring micro spikes (a boot traction device), which presented some dangerous moments during the hike as we crossed icy patches.

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Absolutes

Do you like absolutes?

Some people dislike absolutes,  saying that they are not considerate of "reality" or make people feel inadequate. However,  the way I look at it,  though absolutes may challenge our illusions of self-image when wesee our real measure on a clearly defined scale,  they provide us with a clarity of where we need to go and this the hope of achieving a higher state of living.
If we strive for absolutes, we at least have the chance of achieving absolute values and ideals.

Compliments

We all have unique strengths and weaknesses. Because of this, human beings naturally are inclined to support and compliment each other to fill our weaknesses with our strengths. This is the way we grow our hearts and realize our life's true value in serving others.

Ownership means taking initiative

The natural inclination of an owner is to constantly take initiative to achieving the common goals.
Someone who isn't motivated by the goal might follow instructions to avoid being reprimanded,  but they will rarely recognize and act on opportunities when they arise.
Today I realized some ways that I can improve in making ownership and proactive thinking a habit.

Feb. 12th, 2014, neighborhood park

Rest In Peace

A lifestyle of service may not be the easiest lifestyle, but it is certainly the most rewarding.

I like to think of it this way: If I work hard all day for a noble purpose, then, though my body is tired, my mind is at ease. I can rest peacefully.

However, if I indulge myself in whatever may suit my whims, maybe lounging around my house most of the day, then my body may be comfortable, but my mind will be uneasy. And I probably won't be able to sleep well.

I think this daily cycle is a metaphor for life - people who work hard their whole life for a noble cause will find themselves resting peacefully in the afterlife, and those who don't will have trouble in their eternal rest.

Be a good example

We should be a good example for all those who, knowingly or unknowingly, look up to us. We should demonstrate that in our daily life we are striving for noble ideals and living by moral principles and values.

The inflection point of history belongs to the current generation

When we look at ourselves, I think it's important to see ourselves in the perspective of the continuum of time. Our lives are the connection between the past and the future. We are continuing the efforts of past generations and setting the direction for future generations. That is why it is so crucial that we assess the quality of our current lifestyle and evaluate if we are making a meaningful contribution to mankind's progression in the precious time we have been given.

Set the bar high

Making high standards for yourself allows you to constantly be growing and encourages those around you to strive for excellence as well.

Do you demand respect or command respect?

"A people unused to restraint must be led, they will not be drove" -George Washington, Jan. 3rd, 1777

George Washington was a person that commanded respect, rather than demanding it. This is why in the records of history, he is remembered as the most critical figure in the Revolutionary War. In fighting for the ideal of liberty and freedom, imposing restrictions and threats upon his army would have quickly dispirited his men and lost the war. It was only through commanding respect through 'leading from the front" - showing the example of self-sacrifice and dedication to the cause as the inspiration for those under his leadership.

The Liberty Bell in Philadelphia (during IYLA USA 2014, August 16th)

This was displayed to me in a vivid image depicted in the book "1776". At the critical battle for Princeton, New Jersey, on Jan. 1st, 1777 George Washington lead the frontal assault on the enemy. Why would he place himself in such a dire circumstance when he was in a post of such importance? Because he firmly knew that the cause of freedom and liberty was at stake in this decisive battle. In that moment, Washington clearly demonstrated that he valued the cause of America more than any institutional position of authority or artificially construed reputation. If this battle could salvage what little hope was left in the American cause, he would not spare any available resource, including his own life, in determining its victory.

And thanks in large part to Washington's noble leadership that day, victory is what resulted.

Leading from the front

There is nothing easier than being a follower. But what the world needs is people who lead from the front, on uncharted territory.

I feel like I'm give a choice every day to either be mediocre and follow the crowd, or take the risk, put in the extra effort, and take the uncharted course.

The second choice is where innovation happens and real value is created, and I want to choose that path daily.

Ingenuity is forged in despair

In the book "1776" by McCullough, I was fascinated to hear about the timing of the completion of the Declaration of Independence. In the midst of the most frantic war preparations America had seen, delegates gathered to draft the most defining historic document of our time. The whole country knew that the full wrath of their enemy would any day be unleashed upon their ill-trained militia-men, yet the assembly in Philadelphia went ahead and signed a statement that made it as clear as day not only where they stood but why. Two days after, as word was being sent throughout the 13 colonies of the nation's consensus on independence, a British fleet of over 100 ships had positioned outside the New York harbor, outnumbering the colonists about seven to one. One can only imagine the distress and urgency of the time.

August 2014: I visited the room where the Declaration of Independence was signed
on July 4th, 1776 with my friends from Pakistan and Indonesia

How is it then, that such a profound piece of literature was able to be authored in a circumstance that would rattle the nerves of any man trying to write a sensible statement, let alone an unprecedented assertion of innate human rights that broke through all prior concepts of governance and civilization? It was only possible with the spirit and ardor of a people so committed to a cause that they turned the distress of the times into fuel for their passionate endeavor to establish their ideal nation.

Imagine if we could have the same attitude in our daily life, taking any setback or adversity as a test of our resolve and commitment to our ideals? Ingenuity and profound achievements are always forged with this kind of mindset, and this can be our lifelong habit if we determine it.

A privilege is a responsibility

A privilege is something that is given to us, not necessarily based on merit, but on trust. Whether it's wealth, social status, popularity, influence, or even plain old good luck, these are privileges God has given us with the hope and trust that we will use them to serve the greater good. In this sense, privilege entails a certain responsibility to be a conduit whereby more people can receive benefit.

Th opposing attitude when receiving privilege is self-centered, where we think that we deserve the benefit ourselves and others do not. Yet if we reflect deeper, we recognize that ultimately nothing in this world was of our doing, but was given to us as a gift with no strings attached. With this view, how can we claim anything we receive as ours and ours alone?

The only sensible attitude is to offer everything with which we are privileged for the lofty purpose of benefiting mankind.

I was privileged to eat this delectable sushi with my parents on New Year's eve.
This is my way of sharing my precious experience with you!

The one person you must always check

The one person I must always watch out for is none other than myself. If I cannot release my own ambitions, greed, lust, and arrogance, how can I take care of or guide anyone else?

That is why the greatest battle is always inside oneself.

Do you respect your parents?

Mom and I at Route 2 in Washington, December 2014

Without our parents, we would not exist. Our parents not only give us our identity but they create the healthy environment that allow us to grow to maturity. In short, we should respect our parents, if only for these simple, fundamental reasons.

But how do we respect our parents? In the Eastern, Confucian tradition, it is emphasized that children strictly obey their parents instructions, yet in Western culture based on Enlightenment-era thinking, children are encouraged to become independent, self-sufficient and find their own sense of fulfillment, however they may choose to find it. As a son of a Japanese mom and American dad, I think there is a balance somewhere between those two, but I think there are also are aspects where both of these traditions are lacking. I believe what brings parents the greatest joy is to see their children fulfill their deepest held ideals.

Why do I believe that? Because, simply put, life is short. In one life, there is only so much that we can do and accomplish. But if our deepest held ideals and dreams can live on through our children and our children's children as a family tradition, how much more joy and happiness will that bring us?

And what could bring a child greater fulfillment, than to bring one's parents joy that lasts far beyond one lifetime? Especially if the ideals are noble and grand, making a family tradition of pursuing those ideals paints one of the most beautiful images I can think of.

Can you feel the winds of history?

 

The signing of the Declaration
of Independence, July 4th, 1776

It's interesting to read about 'historical people', because we can see what it was about their mindset that allowed them to make such a grand footprint in the backdrop of history. 

One thing I have noticed is that historical people usually recognize that they have been given unique and extra-ordinary responsibility and they tremble and cringe at the thought of taking on that responsibility, though in the end they do so full-heartedly. 

George Washington recognized that he was the best fitted American of his time to take the role of commander-in-chief of the American army, yet he acknowledged in private letters the weight of the task and his feeling of being unqualified for the tremendous role, though in the end by all accounts he performed the job spectacularly.

Similarly, I feel that we need to feel the winds of history in our daily actions, recognizing the significance and importance of each moment in the backdrop of eons of human endeavor, if we want to make a significant contribution worthy of being remembered. That perspective and prudence in daily life is the starting point for any historical achievement.

Perseverance and spirit

"Perseverance and spirit have one wonders in all ages" -General George Washington

I'm reading the book, "1776" by David McCullough, and I'm finding it remarkable how true this quote by George Washington is when looking at our nation's history. The "rag-tag" colonies and the farmers and country boys who volunteered for the American cause in the Revolution were surely out-skilled and under-equipped in comparison with the British forces.

Yet as time and time again history has shown, the greatest strength of any peoples is their passion and zeal for their cause. This is a reminder for daily life that we should put our whole effort into any cause we undertake if we want to live a meaningful legacy.

World Interfaith Harmony is only the beginning

"Faith is often criticized as an instigator of conflict.  However, Global Peace Foundation and many organizations that promote interfaith cooperation, believe in the moral imperative of faith leaders to be catalysts for peace and social cohesion." (quoted from GPF article "Every Week is Good for Interfaith"  

I could not agree more with the assertion being made by the Global Peace Foundation in this quote. In spite of the negative stigma of religion in mainstream media as the cause of conflict, in our personal experiences most people recognize that faith is what brings us together, that bonds our families, that is the moral glue of our communities.

Interfaith forum at the Global Peace Convention 2013 in Malaysia

In truth, it is a shame that as people of faith we have allowed the politicization of our core beliefs in some radical circles to justify horrendous violence and hatred. That is why during this 'World Interfaith Harmony Week', it is a fitting time to come together as faith leaders and re-affirm the common core ethical principles and shared values that we all profess to be the true nature of faith as a vehicle for peace.

That is why I was so happy to read about the work of GPF in Nigeria with interfaith retreats that remind faith and youth leaders of our most essential identity as 'One Family Under God', which is the basis to overcome prejudice and misunderstandings between disparate groups. Let's continue this type of positive efforts that faith leaders are best at as the most genuine and accurate expression of faith. In truth, "World Interfaith Harmony" is only the beginning. It is having people of faith work together to create a peaceful world that should be our greater aspiration.

Never do something half-hearted

I realized that if you are going to do something, you should put 100% of your effort into it. Otherwise, you don't get a full experience and you don't learn a full lesson from that experience.

If we go through life only giving half our effort in every task, we end up with a whole lot of meaningless experiences that don't really teach us anything, because we don't know what would have really happened if we put in our whole sincerity. 

Keeping a bigger perspective

A lot of times it's easy to get caught up in our own situation and we lose sight of the bigger picture. It's easy to get caught up in our emotions and forget the grander scheme of things. Yet the scary thing is that included in the bigger perspective is what really matters: everything besides myself.

That is why we should constantly train ourselves to keep a bigger perspective in whatever we do. Usually we focus inwardly when we face overwhelming challenge - or on the other extreme when we feel complete self-satisfaction. It is the two fogs of self-pity and arrogance that come and block our view of what we should be focused on, that keeps us from fulfilling our higher calling.

Boulder River trail, WA - Dec 15, 2014

We can fight this self-centered perspective by always remembering to be grateful for all that we've been given, that we definitely didn't deserve or earn, but was given to us. And thus we can be humbled to always recognize the bigger perspective, and offer our lives for a meaningful purpose that benefits the whole.

The Seahawks almost made it.... almost

In the deciding play of the Superbowl, the Seahawks had just made a miraculous catch that put them in the 5-yard line with 20 seconds left in the game. The game was clearly within their reach, and one can imagine the adrenaline and pressure put upon the team in that moment.

However, in that moment, the team made a rash decision to try to throw the Patriots off guard with an unexpected, risky play: a quick pass play into the end zone, aiming to carry their momentum with a quick finish when the rational course of action would be to run the ball in.

It is obvious that this was a reckless decision as it proved when the Patriots intercepted the ball to win the game. There was enough time and 4 downs left for several running touchdown attempts but instead they chose to take the risky course in a flood of high emotion.

This reminds me about the importance of having genuine care and concern in every small decision and action we make in life. We may make it to the 1-yard line, but without the well deliberated decision in the final moment, the whole effort could be lost.

Though this may be the end for the Seahawks for this year's Superbowl, it is still a valuable lesson the team and all of us can apply to our lives from now on.