Conversations the World Needs to Have
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, …”
This famous opening line of the book, Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, might trigger some memories from your high school English class. What I find so remarkable is that it was written way back in 1859. Yet I have never heard a more apt description of the times we live in today!
We live in a world with more information than ever, but with a paucity of knowledge about cause and effects, situational context, and critical thinking.
We live with access to more online “friends” and digital networking than the entire towns and cities of our grandparents’ generation. Yet more people are suffering through loneliness, anxiety, and with more disingenuous and shallow relationships than in most of human history.
Instead of celebrating true character and virtues, we live today in the world of the “anti-hero”, the nihilist, the polarizing manipulators, and the smart-assed cynic.
Instead of being curious about the wonders and awe of nature, and all that She has to teach us, we blithely march toward a climate catastrophe - leaving our grandchildren to suffer with the consequences. Accelerated technologies in AI and Virtual Reality entrance us more than conservation of wilderness and an ocean without plastic pollution. Better to experience life through streaming video or podcasting - rather than just sit and savour Nature, walk along forest or shore, and unplug those earphones.
If you are interested in elevating your life and your leadership through “greater expectations”, than I believe we have a Community for you. Please contact us and you will find a portal to the timely learning and conversations that the world needs today.
Charles Dickens ended this same book, Great Expectations, with this final text;
“It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known.”
After joining our GAPLD Community, I hope that you are going to feel the same.
