“You’re on this earth for a reason. Life is not a right that comes bearing a right, which is the right of getting. Your life is a gift, and it came bearing a gift, which is the freedom and the art of giving. It is such a joyous way of being.”
Is it just me, or does it feel as though the relentless diet of animosity and polarization we are fed rips joy from life?
Because of an astonishing series of events in 1999, I got to know Dee Hock, founder and CEO Emeritus of VISA. In 1991, Dee became one of thirty living Laureates of the Business Hall of Fame and was recognized as one of eight individuals who most changed the way people live in the past quarter century. When I met him, he had just published his groundbreaking book, Birth of the Chaordic Age.
Lest you conjure an image of an aloof, self-absorbed titan of industry, Dee is anything but. He is one of the finest, most generous, kind, and erudite people I have ever encountered. He was humble and unassuming to a fault. The sentiments expressed above came from Dee’s heart when I asked if there were words he wished to leave for his grandchildren. He would also tell them, “take care of yourself, take care of the others, and take care of this place.”
It wasn’t Dee’s reputation or success that drew me to him. It was the depth of his humanity. It was his devotion to human decency, his unwavering commitment to exceptional personal values, and his unquenchable desire for knowledge and wisdom that touched my heart and soul…and changed the course of my life. Dee, more than anyone, gave me insights into the power of emergence; the ways in which infinitely complex, interesting, and magnificent physical, virtual, and organic systems and structures emerge from simple, yet powerful values. But it is only when we exhibit unwavering commitment to our most cherished values, allowing new and vibrant ideas to percolate, that beauty and complexity emerge.
Perhaps an unwavering commitment to any set of values will allow complexity to emerge. But, in my mind, what gives that complexity beauty and magnificence is when we remember “life is a gift, and it came bearing a gift, which is the freedom and the art of giving.”
Today, it often seems that crippling, humanity-draining animosity and polarization leap out of every nook and cranny. From every vantage point—the press, social media, televised news—all we hear are people demanding rights. Have we forgotten “Life is not a right that comes bearing a right, which is the right of getting”? Don’t misunderstand; there are untold millions who have been denied basic human rights. Asking, even demanding, those rights for every person can be an act of great courage and generosity. But those of us who have not been denied have no right to demand even more.
Because of his unwillingness to compromise his beliefs, values, and visions, Dee found himself unemployed and nearly destitute several times early in his career. “I don’t see that as any great achievement. Yes, I was out of work, and at some critical times. I can’t answer except to say I had a sense that if I didn’t take a stand something in me would die. I only have one life. How do I choose to use it?”
So how do I choose to live my one and only life? In my moments of confusion and dismay at the animosity and polarization I feel surrounding, even suffocating, me, I recall Dee’s words and wonder how I might stop, even for a moment, and ask “what must I stand for lest something in me will die?” Then, and only then, can I find new ways to explore the “freedom and art of giving,” discern more joyous ways of being, and allow true beauty and magnificence to emerge.
Post Script. I emailed a link of this post to Dee, and a short time later received the following reply:
How kind and thoughtful of you, Roger, to remember our meetings so long ago, and write with a reference to your recent blog. I think you do me too much credit.
In the middle of my 92nd year on this marvelous planet, I still continue doing what I can to help people understand that when the world seems to be staging a madhouse, it is just evolution in temporary flood, trying to sweep away archaic concepts of societal organization, and management, to make room for the new.
Unfortunately, a few adventures with the medical trade that come with age have put an end to travel for me as well as Ferol, the love of my life for seventy five years. None the less, life remains joyous, and my confidence in the future has not been diminished.
Again, thank you for taking time to write, and for your efforts to create a more livable world.
Roger,
Another provocative post. Your sharing of your point of view, and of your mentor, as the source of your understanding is important in keeping such stories alive. By relating such stories we find light on the path ahead, as we are enveloped by the irruption of madness that surrounds us. I too believe, that it will pass. I have no idea of how long that might take or what ruins will be left…
This line of your text stood out to me:
“Perhaps an unwavering commitment to any set of values will allow complexity to emerge.”
I do not think that “values” are inherently productive, humanizing. Fundamentalist values, whether religious, economic, or political are conceived with the purpose of foreclosing all emergence of the new. They are inimical to the open society, that is premised upon open discussion and public evaluation of ideas. Fundamentalist value systems are rigid, violent by definition distorting experience to fit within their pattern of thought and behavior. I think that Conservative minded folk have no monopoly on such thinking, as those on the Left can become straight-jacketed by their world-view.
I think that values are taught, are “caught” quite early in life. You have learned to seek out positive-minded, kind-hearted individuals as they are indeed fellow travelers on the path which you are traveling.
Again, thank your for an inspiring story.
Jerry