Horizon
Day Thirty Seven
One of the lessons we love to impart to the youth volunteers who have spent two weeks in Inner Mongolia planting trees in the desertified landscape is to point them to the vastness of the grassland. Citing the Tang poem of old, we squint our eyes to see the herds of cattle and flocks of sheep apparently motionless in the vast green space as they graze lazily in the summer afternoons. There we see the green grassland meet the sky at the line called the horizon. How far is your horizon? There we spin the yarn about Genghis Khan and his exploits.
The story of Genghis Khan’s success as the conqueror and ruler of the world’s largest empire in the 12th century is attributed to his broad vision and his broad chest. It was said that after his father died in battle, Genghis took up the reins as the eldest son to lead his family, with many siblings including half-brothers from his father’s many wives. In one hunt out in the grassland, he was said to have shot an arrow and killed one of his brothers in a fit of fury. His mother cried her heart out and told him he must never kill one of his own. He remembered that lesson well.
Subsequently, as the chieftain of his tribe, he defeated other Mongolian tribes but often spared the other chieftains, to their surprise and gratitude. In return, they expressed their gratitude and pledged their allegiance to Genghis. He became their great Khan and built a fearsome and merciless fighting force which not only unified all the Mongolian hordes on the grassland but also expanded outwards to take China and Central Asia, and territories all the way towards Eastern Europe. He embraced and included the nationalities and ethnicities in his new empire. It was said that his big heart enabled his big dream of a huge empire.
The Chinese has an adage that states that the stomach of the prime minister must be large enough so that a boat can sail in it. (Zaixiang duli nengchengchuan) It speaks of an attribute which a leader needs to cultivate as a leader needs to be broad-minded to be calm in the boat especially when when one is sailing into a storm. A self-assured leader is willing to be tolerant of dissenting voices, to give the benefit of doubt to detractors or even opponents as one stays positive even in the face of a crisis. It also helps a leader to stay humble (and hungry) to learn continually to become better. A big heart grows a generous spirit which is willing to turn the other cheek, go the second mile, forgive others and seek forgiveness, repair and reconcile damaged relationships, and thus extend one’s relational network. It is the forerunner of how to win friends and influence people.
A broad vision with a big heart comes from a spirituality which recognises that success is not due to one’s shrewd and conniving schemes but the culmination of good will from others and good fortunes from above. There are many things beyond one’s control. Life and success in itself is a gift. Such an attitude breeds a spirit of thankfulness and hence resilience to remain undaunted in the face of trials and tribulations, and indeed to have the courage to try again after setbacks. It is the spirit of a warrior who will not retreat but to continue to venture forth.
As we journey on, whether in the grassland or in life, we pray for a greater sense of openness, a spirit of resilience and indeed big-heartedness as we face the challenge of the day. Only then can we embrace whatever the day may bring.
A Hebrew philosopher once stated,
“The race is not to the swift,
Nor the battle to the strong,
Nor bread to the wise,
Nor riches to men of understanding,
Nor favor to men of skill;
But time and chance happen to them all.” (Ecclesiastes 9:11)
Journey with me as I reflect on life and hope in the wilderness over 40 days.
See Previous Day’s reflection on Spirituality
