…the voice of conscience…
By Wegat
"I will give you a talisman. Whenever you are in doubt, or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the following test. Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man whom you may have seen, and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him. Will he gain anything by it? Will it restore him to a control over his own life and destiny?In other words, will it lead to swaraj [freedom] for the hungry and spiritually starving millions?
Then you will find your doubts and your self melt away."
Mahatma Gandhi,
We live in the world where “Survival of the fittest” is the going prevalence. We participate and observe in our daily lives in unrestrained competitions; as we outwit, outperform and so forth by any means to get ahead in our lives. And then once in a while we come across those people that leave us in awe. Even if it is for a minute they open the eye of our souls and hearts to look beyond ourselves.
I have always wondered what is it that makes the Gandhis, Mandelas, MLKs and many more of our earth that had dedicated their lives to the pursuit of social justice, different than the rest of us. At what point in one's life is decided to answer to the voice of conscience whatever the question might be?
After reading the book “Yenetsanet Goeh Siked” I sat for what seemed to be a long time in a trance while consenting to feelings of contradictory directions. The feelings of anticipation & despair, contentment & discontent, shame & pride all seem to wash over me all at once. As the daze broke away I felt indebted, obliged and most of all bewildered.
Bewildered because I was trying so hard to wrap my mind around; “how does one give up so much for the good of the greater?” These people opted to render to a great extent their own sovereignty and submitted to physical subjugation. I say physical because it is apparent as you read this book the strength of mind of these people is unscathed. I say opted because considering their backgrounds, most if not all of them had much easier and more seductive alternatives. Some might say they might end up paying the ultimate price which is their lives; I believe they are paying the ultimate price, which is all that they chose to give up while they are living as we all live to die.
My question is what type of thread is the cloth of their lives is knitted out of? Where, how, at what point does one pick up this much courage, conviction, integrity, ethics and selflessness? Is it inborn or cultivated? As a person whom without batting an eye would answer “NO!” to a request for a ride to south east of Washington, DC; will I ever be deserving of the sacrifice these people are making in the name of my deliverance?
“There are times when you have to obey a call which is the highest of all, i.e. the voice of conscience even though such obedience may cost many a bitter tear, and even more, separation from friends, from family, from the state to which you may belong, from all that you have held as dear as life itself. For this obedience is the law of our being.”
Mahatma Gandhi
Wgat!
That is what I call the "$64.00 Question" always wondering what made them go that far? What is it in them that make them sacrifice their lives and their families? When you look at it microscopically there were also many who disappear from the scene of the earth and stoned in public for their causes. Heroes are made not born; this must be our future motto to avoid those who claim leadership by birth and live an isolated life amongst us. These later ones hopefully might be extinct in the near future but we need to watch out for their rise and fall before they again whip out a whole population
I love it!
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I think great leaders are born with Inspired Souls that propel them. The original word ‘hero’ comes from the Greek roots "servos" and "heros", which means to serve and protect. So self-sacrifice for the higher good and betterment of humanity is at the heart of being a hero. And what that implies is that the seeds of greatness lie within these great leaders because they have that innate capacity to serve. Martin Luther King said it best: “Everyone can be great, because anyone can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t even have to make your subject and verb agree to serve…You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”
Let's hope we all find our inspiration!
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Great job! And thanks for the contribution. :) (Comment this)
Fendataw…are you implying that to run for an elected office is plotting to overthrow a government? Fame and power you said……now is this internationally or nationally within Ethiopia? Come on….how long do you think it took for past social justice activists to be part of our vocabulary? Do you have any idea how many are out there that had given up so much of themselves, but most of us know nothing about except to enjoy the fruit of their labor? For the most part today’s heroes were yesterdays martyr so be careful of what you say as not to eat your words later. As reading between the lines goes my friend that is when we know where our mind lies don’t we? Because after all we are all reading our own heart when we dare to assume about others be it positive or negative.
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