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Where were we…

Using the adversities and overcoming of the ‘Stolen Generations’ as an analogy to life is something I am asked about a lot. And after an eventful and intense year it feels right to start up with something that comes up in conversations over and over again. Especially as everybody missed out on the first quarter news. Thank you again for your patience and endless support and encouragement during this time.

By now you are aware of the history of the ‘Stolen Generations’ (News December 2010) and where it all started for me (About). I don’t see the Indigenous People of Australia as victims, but as survivors. What intrigued me about this culture, recognized as the oldest culture known today, (Professor Eske Willerslev, University of Copenhagen), was also the wisdom that comes with such age and the intensity with which they view life. These people embrace life in depth. Being alive to them means something, because everything around them has a meaning. The essence of life, the essence of the meaning remains, and they have the ability to portray this in their art and their dance. It showed in their legal system. They understood the earth they lived in, and tended to it in a way that brought out the best in the land. Their intensity and perseverance in times of great adversity holds a fascination for me. The ability to adapt and grow during those times and come out stronger is a strength seated deep within, a strength that comes with being at peace with the land and their role within it. Are you at peace with your role?

Adversity has many different faces. Whether it is in form of bullying, different ways of abuse in or outside the home, persecution or racial discrimination – each of these affect the individual and put it to challenge in different ways. Like the Indigenous People from Australia some live through it and come out victorious, some just survive, and some don’t. There will always be some, who rise above it, like David Unaipon (News July 2011) – firstly as individuals, then as a whole group. We hear stories of those strong people long after it affected the outcome of a particular situation – and it gives us strength, motivation and hope. Our life today has a tendency to being superficial as opposed to the intensity of their culture. Being alive means something to them, because everything around them has a meaning and a greater purpose. (News August 2011). What does being alive mean to you?

Modern man has the desire to intensify his experience of life and we chase after it in many ways in search for instant gratification. If you peel off everything superficial the essence remains – depth, meaning and understanding.

‘Ultimately, man should not ask what the meaning of his life is, but rather must recognize that it is he who is asked. In a word, each man is questioned by life; and he can only answer to life by answering for his own life; to life he can only respond by being responsible. (Victor Frankl, 1905 – 1997)

After an eventful and intense year I would like to wish all my wonderful friends and supporters of Metamorphosoz a peaceful and relaxed Christmas.

I see you all again next year.

Thank you for your support and encouraging words throughout this year.

‘I love those who can smile in trouble, who can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. It is the business of little minds to shrink, but they whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves their conduct, will pursue their principles unto death.’ (Leonardo da Vinci, 1452 – 1519)

Courage vs. Fear

Fear is an illusive giant. It has no shape, colour, sound, form, or solid visibility, yet we experience it to our very core. It is an instinct, a protective mechanism designed to keep us safe in the wild.

Modern day fear has little to do with the wild. It rather relates to the pressure of doing the right thing, wearing the right clothes, driving the right car, living in the right neighborhood. Even if this life is mundane, unimaginative and mediocre – isn’t it better than taking the risk of stepping out in courage to achieve the dream that resides within us?

Fear causes procrastination, indecision and immobility – excuses which all slow down or prevent the realization of our dreams. Fear and anxiety are natural emotions we experience when faced with obstacles. However, successful individuals are those who experience fear and do it anyway. They let courage overcome fear. Pressing towards what they passionately believe to do.

Fear is the adversity, courage the victory. Courage is associated with integrity, dignity, valor and faith, and allows us to battle cooperatively and individually to overcome adversity. It is the strength, the unswerving determination and obstinacy that overrides fear.

That is what Metamorphosoz stands for.

‘Courage is resistance of fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear.’  (Mark Twain)

Determination and Persistence – Sisyphus today

Sisyphus is often seen as an ‘absurd’ hero. He is, as much through his passions as through his torture. In the myth, one sees simply the whole effort of a body straining to raise the huge stone, to roll it up a slope in seemingly endless motion. At the end of his long effort, measured by time without depth, the purpose is achieved. Then he watches the stone rush down again, knowing he will have to push it up again toward the summit. He goes back down to the plain. That moment is like a breathing space, his hour of consciousness. In this moment he is superior to his fate. He is stronger than his rock. (‘Myth of Sisyphus’, Albert Camus)

In many ways we can relate to Sisyphus, battling daily through traffic jams and taking on more and more work. We feel exhausted most of the time, yet rarely accomplish anything really significant. We willingly exhaust ourselves by pushing the rock uphill, knowing that we have to do it again the next day. The rock remains – waiting for us in anticipation – taunting us, daring us. We embrace it, more or less lovingly. Yet – are we pushing the right stone?

Determination is the essential human strength for survival and progress. The difference between success and failure lies in the purpose, which drives the engine of success. Not only young people are looking for meaning in life, for a purpose, and a way to realise their dreams and ideas. Often we focus on the obstacles and adversities instead of taking step after step towards our goal. Even Sisyphus had a choice – he could either choose defeat and suffering, or to transcend his destiny.

David Unaipon and Salvatore Ferragamo have more in common than it seems at first. Both learned the art of shoe making, both came from an adverse, though different background – and both kept going with their ideas, the realisation of their dreams – achieving more than they ever imagined. What they had in common was determination and persistence. There were no short cuts, no quick fixes. Nothing worth doing comes easy. It takes determined efforts, commitment and persistence to achieve one’s dreams, whatever they may be. There will always be obstacles, there will always be disappointments – even moments of despair. But determined people, like Unaipon and Ferragamo, turn these challenges into opportunities.

Determination requires discipline, self-control, and an unwavering set of core values. The crucial test of the power of determination and commitment is not the ability to build empires or lasting monuments, but the moral capacity to overcome adversities.

Determination is essential for success, however one defines it. As Calvin Coolidge (1872 – 1933, President of US) puts it:

‘Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence… Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.’