An Open Letter To Our Leaders
Leadership is not about being braver or smarter than anybody else. It’s not about being more compassionate or caring than anybody else. It’s not even about being richer or more powerful than anybody else. No, leadership is about one thing. FAITH. If you don’t trust others around you, then you’re not a leader. You might be a king, a ruler or a dictator, but you’re definitely not a leader.
In times like these, we need LEADERS. This starts with each one of us, setting aside our beliefs and opinions, and doing what is DECENT. One does not lead by hoarding toilet paper. One does not lead by stocking up on ammo. One does not lead by criticizing the efforts of others.
One leads by taking a good hard look at themselves and contemplating what it takes to be a better person. Not the kind of person that posts about what they’re doing to lead, but the kind of person who just DOES things. Or, in times like these, DOESN’T do things. Even if there’s this little hateful ball inside that wants to express displeasure or fear.
The problem isn’t the problem, it’s the hateful ball.
This hateful ball isn’t directed at any one person. It bounces all over the place. If you have one of these hateful balls inside you, you know what I’m talking about. It hurts people, sure, But it hurts YOU more than it hurts anybody else.
You have this hateful ball inside you because you don’t have FAITH. You’re UNCERTAIN. You’re WORRIED. You actually believe that MISTAKES can be made — ARE being made — that can END your life as you know it. This is a powerful feeling that can rip you up from the inside. You hate OTHERS for what they are doing or NOT doing. You hate YOURSELF for what you’re doing or not doing. You are FEEDING this little ball of hate, within and without.
Yes we are experiencing a pandemic. It is a pandemic of hate. Of ego. Of righteousness. Of unconsciousness. It seems nobody is leading.
That’s because YOU’RE not leading. Do you feel a little ball inside you? That’s the disease, not some tiny little virus. The virus will eventually run its course. But you’ll still hate. You will REMAIN faithless.
Not that there’s anything wrong with that. If you’re okay with it, then it’s not my place to criticize your faithlessness. But I feel sorry for people who lack faith. Even that sorrow I harbor is a form of hate, eating at my guts. So I’ll work on that because I don’t want to have hate in my heart anymore. It’s got nothing to do with leading.
And everything.
See, when you’re straight with your own source, you don’t need leaders. You have FAITH.
That’s all I want from all of this. And I thank all of this for showing me the way. All of this exists for me to practice FAITH.
And so I shall.
Amen. Or something like amen.
Trail Wood,
3/23
In a world that often seems overshadowed by division and uncertainty, an open letter to our leaders calls for a return to the foundational principles of true leadership: faith, trust, and the courage to embrace self-reflection over dominance. This reflection delves into the essence of leadership, not as a manifestation of power or superiority, but as a commitment to faith in ourselves and in those around us.
Leadership Through Faith, Not Fear
At the core of genuine leadership lies the power of faith — faith in the potential of every individual to contribute to the greater good, faith in the collective strength of humanity to overcome challenges, and faith in the transformative power of compassion and decency. True leaders inspire trust, not through assertions of control or displays of force, but through their unwavering belief in the capacity of people to rise above their limitations and work together for a common purpose.
The Call for Self-Reflection and Decency
In times of crisis, the temptation to resort to fear, control, and criticism becomes more pronounced. Yet, it is precisely in these moments that the true measure of a leader is revealed. Leadership demands a turning inward, a deep and honest examination of one’s values and actions. It is about doing what is decent, not what is easy. True leadership is demonstrated through acts of kindness, understanding, and restraint — qualities that unite rather than divide.
Overcoming the Pandemic of Hate
The pandemic of hate, fueled by fear, ego, and a lack of faith, poses a significant threat to the fabric of our society. It is a reminder that the most dangerous viruses are not those that attack the body but those that erode the spirit. Overcoming this pandemic requires each of us to lead by example, to recognize and dismantle the “hateful ball” within us that feeds on division and despair.
The Path to Faith and Unity
The journey towards faith and unity begins with an acknowledgment of our shared humanity and our collective vulnerability. It is a path marked by empathy, where the recognition of our own fears and prejudices opens the door to healing and reconciliation. In this journey, leadership is not about guiding others from a position of authority but about walking alongside them as equals, guided by a shared vision of hope and resilience.
A Collective Awakening
This open letter serves as a clarion call for a collective awakening to the power of faith and the potential for change that resides within each of us. It is an invitation to transcend the barriers of distrust and division, to rediscover the strength that comes from unity and shared purpose. In this awakening, we find not just the essence of true leadership but the foundation for a more compassionate, just, and resilient world.
In the embrace of faith, trust, and self-reflection, we find the blueprint for true leadership — a leadership that transcends titles and transcends power, rooted in the unwavering belief in the goodness and potential of humanity. As we navigate the challenges of our times, let us commit to embodying these principles, to leading with decency and compassion, and to building a future grounded in the unshakeable faith in our collective capacity to heal, to grow, and to thrive together.
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