Entering the post COVID world ...

In my part of the world the COVID-19 pandemic has become manageable and the normality of working alongside the virus is settling into the public psyche. What I just said may be a little contentious for some, but it’s safe to say we’d all agree managing through the last eighteen plus months has left its mark and will definitely echo through the next couple of years. I’d like to suggest many of us have become a little feral because of our isolation and our coping mechanisms — you can see it in personal styling, how people figuratively bare their teeth more, and how we’re all a little hesitant to venture outside. Many are still quite content to stay in the little nest they created to weather the storm.

For me I am trying to get back to some sense of normality in the post COVID world but admittedly still keep everything rather small and routine. I will get there. I had a craving for Italian the other day and found the whole concept of a menu foreign but eventually worked through it. All this had me reflecting on myself, what’s important, and how I can live a satisfying life. I’m a big believer in having a plan, reviewing that plan periodically and course correcting to move forward — it was an obvious time for me to to revisit what I’m doing and what guiding principles resonate with me as I continue my way.

I kept coming back to three ideas that have been rattling around in my head for some time, and if the internet is to be trusted, have been around for quite a while. As I venture into this post COVID world I believe these will serve me well.

gnōthi seauton Know thyself.

Aut inveniam viam aut faciam I shall either find a way or make one.

Memento mori Remember that you die.

Each has big meaning and an interpretation that I suspect has been debated over the centuries, and for that reason alone I like them. I was then reminded of my last post COVID consideration which came when a book* was recommended to me and I was introduced to this quote:

“I shall pass this way but once; any good that I can do or any kindness I can show to any human being; let me do it now. Let me not defer nor neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.” ― Etienne de Grellet

esto benignus Be Kind

On my web site I position myself as “an accomplished Sales and Marketing Leader with a reputation for effective strategy, creative problem solving and execution; highly experienced in sales and marketing management with a number of awards. Brings a wealth of cross-functional skill sets in product, price and marketing management as well as sales management and development” or as “a simple journeyman of life interested in the human condition and the stratagems along the way”. I think COVID has shown me that I am that “simple journeyman”, which I am content with because all the other stuff is all part of it anyway. Definitely the journey is going to be more interesting with my new signposts.

We will see where it takes me.

iamgpe

* The book is by Robin Sharma called “The Everyday Hero Manifesto”. If you are leader, or fashion yourself as one, his books are a must read, particularly “The Leader Who Had No Title”.

The reflection of a nation...

I was born into a lower middle class family and grew up in what could accurately be called white suburbia just outside of Toronto. At the time my knowledge of our indigenous population consisted of the stereotypes that came from westerns in the movies and on television and that Tecumseh was an Indian Chief who fought along side Sir Issac Brock to help defeat the Americans in the War of 1812 (it was actually more of a conflict we didn’t lose). They also offered great inspiration for professional sports franchises and of course, they lived on reserves far away from the schools I attended. I only bring this up to level set my ignorance.

Recently the psyche of a nation was put on display with the report of a mass grave of 215 indigenous children found on the grounds of a now boarded up Residential School, and soon after, other reports of unmarked graves found on the grounds of other such schools — the whispers of murdered children and cultural genocide were getting louder each day. This Residential School System, unique to Canada’s indigenous population, involved physically removing children from their families for years, stripping the children of their culture and language, and attempting to beat the Christian faith into them (and I say this most literally).

I am the first to say that a person should not pay for the “sins of their father” but since the last Residential School closed in the 1990s it’s impossible not to look in the mirror and question my complicity as a Canadian — even if it’s just for my ignorance. The complexity of the discussion is broad and is a layered compilation that spans over two centuries — European colonialism, religious expansionism, institutional racism, broken and misguided bureaucratic initiatives, cultural genocide, broken agreements, and broken promises. It begs the simple question, ‘“Where do I start”? My daughter asked me the other day what we can do about this and the only answer I could give was we need to shine a very bright light on the situation — we need to understand, we need to listen, and we need to acknowledge our history. We definitely can not let this slip back into the shadows where it’s destined to continue. In all of this, I’ve also come to conclusion Canada is a country that does not protect its children, and for this sin, will never become the country it says it is.

As well as shining that bright light on the situation, my humble suggestion is to better focus on our children; all our children. As a country, we need to ensure they are all safe, healthy and thriving. This will not address the sins of the past but it is a good place to start and will secure a better future.

So this is how I spent my Canada Day — reflecting and simmering with outrage.

It also struck me that Canadians may be (pound for pound) among the most dangerous people in the world… we are smart, have ample resources, and look how ruthlessly we treat our own children. When we say sorry, I wouldn’t assume we actually mean it.

iamgpe

Moments — Dwell on the beauty...

“Dwell on the beauty of Life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them.”

If the Internet is to be believed this quote and insight is from Marcus Aurelius who was one of the better Roman Emperors that I’ve read about (he was the last of what is known as the Five Good Emperors). When I first read this quote I simply assumed its author was a contemporary “new age philosopher” using memes to develop a following. I was taken aback a little by the fact that it originated on the streets of Rome eighteen hundred years ago.

A modern day bias to be sure, or maybe something that has always come with those generations that happen to occupy the top of the food chain at that moment in time — “we are the most civilized, most knowledgeable, and the most enlightened… ever!” I will also admit hearing the name Marcus Aurelius doesn’t conjure up images of a man who pursued philosophical or motivational musings — another obvious bias on my part. It leaves me humbled to know I’m biased and misinformed, with just a little splash of arrogance for taste — although I am hoping there is some redemption that comes with this recognition. As emperor of what was arguably the largest empire in the known world at the time, and with a devastating war machine at his disposal, I wonder if Marcus Aurelius suffered from this same bias.

“Life is harshly beautiful” is something very meme worthy that a couple of “new age philosophy students"* came up with a while ago and something I think a man like Marcus Aurelius would understand intimately — at one moment embracing the love of his family and in another unleashing the dogs of war. There is little doubt he was intimate with what the four horsemen of the apocalypse can accomplish, and with it, a deep understanding of life’s beauty needed to balance the scales.

The more I think about it, it makes sense this quote came from Marcus Aurelius — he would have been in a very good position to offer insights into what’s important in life and what real beauty is.

iamgpe

* we still haven’t gotten around to creating any memes.