Three Minute Leadership: Love and Time

To:  The Great Leaders Who Have a Passion for Continuous Learning

Like the fables of Aesop, the simplest stories often convey the richest and most profound wisdom.  I heard the following story at a recent Global Leadership Conference at the United States Military Academy at West Point.  .  It began…

Once upon a time, there was an island where all the feelings lived: Happiness, Sadness, Knowledge, and all of the others including Love. One day it was announced to the feelings that the island would sink, so all repaired their boats and left. Love was the only one who stayed. Love wanted to persevere until the last possible moment. When the island was almost sinking, Love decided to ask for help.

Richness was passing by Love in a grand boat. Love said, “Richness, can you take me with you?” Richness answered, “No, I can’t. There is a lot of gold and silver in my boat. There is no place here for you.” Love decided to ask Vanity who was also passing by in a beautiful vessel, Vanity, please help me!” “I can’t help you Love. You are all wet and might damage my boat,” Vanity answered. Sadness was close by so Love asked for help, “Sadness, let me go with you.” “Oh…Love, I am so sad that I need to be by myself!” Happiness passed by Love too, but she was so happy that she did not even hear when Love called her!

Suddenly, there was a voice, “Come Love, I will take you.” It was an elder. Love felt so blessed and overjoyed that he even forgot to ask the elder her name. When they arrived at dry land, the elder went her way. Love, realizing how much he owed the elder, asked Knowledge, another elder, “Who helped me?” “It was Time,” Knowledge answered. “Time?” asked Love, “But why did Time help me?” Knowledge smiled with deep Wisdom and answered, “Because only Time is capable of understanding how great Love is.”

On first reading of the story one might say that it is “touching,” beautiful,’ or simply “very nice.”  But something lingers on… something about the final words: “Because only Time is capable of understanding how great Love is.”  The ‘loves’ of great leaders are many: family, friends, work, community, service to others.  They  give purpose and meaning to their lives. From their beginnings they formed the pieces of a magnificent mosaic, with each piece carefully set in place, juxtaposing or complementing the another. While there was a vision of the final work in the mind of the leader, its resplendent beauty would only be seen with its completion. It is only with the passage of time that its full measure and meaning would become evident.  The full richness of the details, the painstaking efforts involved, the depth of the passion that created the minutest feature are seen and magically brought into perspective… and then come understanding and joy.

This week take a moment to reflect on the ‘loves’ of your life. Take time to appreciate the beauty of your creations.  Learn from them that your understanding is deepened and the remainder of your life’s mosaic is made more magnificent. In doing this remember the words of an unknown author:  “Some day, after we have mastered the winds and the waves, the tides and gravity, we will harness the energies of love. And, for the second time in the history of the world, man will have discovered fire.”

Have a beautiful day and a magnificent week!!!

Mike