WE THE LIVING

This week I read Rudy Giuliani's book, "Leadership",
and I chose it because I was still troubled by a miserable
and wonderful book I read last week called "We The Living",
by Ayn Rand.
Rand escaped from Russia in the 1930's and wrote about the
human condition, politics and economics. Her most famous
novels are "The Fountainhead" and "Atlas Shrugged", which I
read many years ago. Wonderful books. But I had not read
her first novel, "We The Living", and when Mary finished it
a few weeks ago, I put it on my list.
It's an awful book. It's so well written, so poignant and
passionate and powerful, I couldn't stop thinking about it.
I dreamed about it. I thought about Kira and Leo and
Andrei. I didn't like how much it moved me.
"We The Living" is about individuality, power, and society.
It's about the things that make life worth living, and
worth dying for. It's about cruelty, and our potential for
saintliness. It's about suffering, and about love,
compassion, generosity, creativity and hope. It is not
easy reading; it is worth the effort.
One of the dilemmas of being human is that we find our
greatest joy in community with others, and we long to
express our uniqueness.
Humans have always lived in groups, valued family and built
cities. By joining together, we increase opportunity, add
variety, and open doors. It is in groups that we create
the arts, celebrate holidays and festivals. The city
creates economic opportunity and intellectual stimulation.
And yet we also celebrate those who stand alone. From
Plato and Jesus and Gandhi, to Amelia Earhart and John
Glenn, we honor the individual. We remember John Wayne not
as a particularly good actor, but as an icon of
individualism. In part, Giuliani's book has credibility
because we know him as an individual who stood alone, told
the truth and helped us face the tragedy of September 11th.
As we enter a new year, it seems we have lost sight of some
of the best parts of both community, on the one hand, and
individuality on the other.
Particularly in America, we raise individuality to such an
extreme that we lose sight of our dependence on each other.
We proclaim our "rights" and our separateness until we each
end up alone, a culture of one. It is in community that we
find our belonging, our roots and our shared dreams. It is
with friends and family that we live and die, and dance.
This holiday season, and in the new year, celebrate
community. See the value of fitting in.
And, in 2020, strive to be eccentric! Express yourself!
Explore your values, your goals, the hopes and dreams that
are yours, and yours alone. Make next year, YOUR year.
Reach higher, go further, dream bigger. Challenge
yourself.
God has given you unique talents - don't hide them. Life
has given you unique perspectives and special gifts - do
not withhold them!
As we enter the new year, declare that you are among those
who are truly alive! Set goals, dream dreams. Create a
Personal Eco-System that supports you. Read the best
books. Talk with the smartest people. Learn the skills.
Put in the effort. Take the risks. Stretch. Try.
In 2020, "We The Living" will simply "go for it". Some of
us will get coached. We will make the decisions, and
invest the time and money and courage to transform our
lives and achieve our goals. That is my wish for you this
season, and in the year to come. Go for it.