Does the year really change?

 

What is change, really? It means something is different than before.

A river changes its course or composition, a tree grows, animals go through the cycle of life, and humans…

We, humans…?

With humans, things are more complex. We could say we change according to our age or our career. It can be that our change was just esthetical or ethical, we change our perception about other people or even an experience of past.

Then we come to the change of the year… We all know the year does not really change; it is just a perception or a system invented by us. In fact, the Chinese New Year, is a few weeks later and a big part of humankind will celebrate THAT New Year, not the December, 31^st one…

It means that although the year does not change and nothing changes with the year, it changes… in our minds.

And there are 3 things to explore and have a better change of year:

• The new year is a big opportunity. The things you couldn’t do before, the things you dream and those you don’t dream, all can happen this year.
• Training and education. To make those opportunities real there is a need in terms of training. The change curve is quite steep nowadays for anything, even the harmless objects at home, particularly with AI’s invading the day-to-day life. So, understand the opportunities being opened with this new year and what qualities or competencies you will need to harvest them, and plan your education process.
• Resources… Yes, you will need resources to really take advantage of anything emerging with the new year. Besides the physical wealth that will help to get a proper education, there are also intangible resources, such as peace, courage and enthusiasm. Words of wisdom from a close friend or relative and the millions of videos, books, lectures, workshops, seminars, etc. that promote wellness or self-improvement, work like gold too.

This new year, identify the opportunities and dreams you want to fulfill and live, educate and train yourself to achieve them, and trust the invisible resources within you. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Asking for help, a way to make others grow

An interesting feature I have seen in many leaders is the fact they ask for help whenever is needed. On the contrary, many people I have met whom I thought were leaders, judged themselves very independent and capable, and so they seldom asked for help; years later, my perception about their leadership changed considerably and I have been able to see them as good managers, far from real leadership.

Many reasons could be given for that, but a very simple one is the fact that by asking help, leaders are training others. This natural training is part of a long term education and it becomes fundamental in the other person’s growth and their own leadership, as a natural consequence of being led by a leader is that a person may be a leader one day.

In other words, whenever a person asks for help from others, they are giving them the opportunity to improve themselves and enhance their skills. It is also a way of checking how much of the leader’s influence has impacted that individual.

So, what is the difference between being dependent and give others a chance to grow? It is basically from the attitude of taking from others whatever they have, different than enabling others to work better.

Peace Progress

As a resident of this wonderful country, full of potentials, Colombia, I follow the news on the peace process very closely. It is the third time we have such a process, at least in a very serious and committed way: first was during Pastrana's government, second was during Uribe's government and now during Santos' government.

The three of them were totally different in form and essence, but still I feel the connection between them. Out of the three, the most visionary was Pastrana's and I do hope some of those initiatives emerge again. It failed though, probably for bad management and perhaps because there is a thin line between vision and idealism, and sometimes idealists forget we live in a very real world. Still, behind the failure there was success merged. For me, peace in a country is a process of construction, not a snap of magic.

The second process is very controversial, as it was done with paramilitary  They emerged as a kind of civilian response to the guerilla  but they got life on their own. And violence. Many people don't see the success here, I guess it is just me, but I have good memory and I remember that there was not one week, and for a long time, when I did not hear news about the atrocities done by paramilitary groups. Now, there are much more than one year I don't hear it. But more than the success, lesson here is the reality of a peace process. Even though it dismantle the structure, it can't change much of the people, so some of these people are still involved in violent activities, and some groups have emerged, but they are very far from the paramilitary style, they are just acting violently.

The former processes can be very valuable for this one now. On one hand, provide the areas dominated by the guerilla with solid chances for economic growth - I remember there were news even Iran was contacted during Pastrana's government, which would start some business in one of those areas. On the other hand, be more realistic, knowing some of these people will still continue in their violence due to any reason, and create mechanisms to prevent that, or at least minimize it.

I am not related to politics, as a foreigner much less, so another point which is important is to take care of three very basic elements for those who were related to the guerilla  First is health - years, for some decades, of life in jungle can affect your health. Not only physically, mental health is something that has to be considered too to avoid situations of war veterans coming back from war. Ah, let's not forget the peace process has to be extended to the military.

Second, education is a powerful tool. It gives people hope and understanding, and enable them to go beyond their limitations. It also helps to prevent people to go back to violence. I feel education can be considered a long term element, focusing in giving basic education for people who were directly involved in the guerilla  but also making sure somehow a high education for their children.

Last, but no least, spirituality and values. In fact, for me this is the most important as it helps people to go back to their own roots of peace and love, the wonderful feeling of being part of this human family. In Sri Lanka, where the end of their war was a very violent one, guerilla members received raja yoga course as a way to cope with their new civilian life. Many of them are back to the society, and spirituality helps them to have a different approach towards problems.

In reality, all humans are now at war, at least in their minds and spirit. Desires, lack of satisfaction, animosity, hate and many other negative qualities have created a room in everyone's heart. The ultimate peace process is in that sacred place, helping each one to overcome their own violence and reach an original state of peace.