19th
12 -
2009
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Today I visited the main armed services hospital here in Ramstein, Germany where all of our wounded troops are brought straight from the battle fields, “down range” it is called. Two flights a day bring in badly wounded young men and women. One such young man died just before we entered the building. His name will shortly pop up in a tiny column in what’s left of our local newspapers. With any luck his name might make it to broadcast just before the final credit roll this Sunday on “This Week.” It breaks your heart and at the same time fills you with pride for our young people. The head of the Intensive Care ward told me today that he thought those of us back in the US suffer from “compassion fatigue.” Sad, but true.
While we are safely back home worrying about how many women Tiger slept with and health care reform, teenagers and twenty year olds are sacrificing their limbs and life for their country, just doing their job. We should feel thankful this holiday season as we bitch and whimper safely in front of our flat screens TVs.
Happy holidays and pass the remote.
Tim, “up range” of war.
14th
12 -
2009
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no comment »
Subject: Re: Interesting
Tim,
Your email has had me going back through this particular chapter in Hawkins’ book to try and determine where faith (which now that you mention it is so obviously missing) might logically fit along this spectrum. I am still thinking about it…I think maybe somewhere between Acceptance and Reason but I agree with the point that you make which is that COURAGE requires faith…
Thanks for the “food for thought”…
Dana Roc
On 12/14/09 11:16 AM, “Tim Reid” wrote:
Dana,
I have given a few speeches lately with the theme: The Age of Character.” I read this weeks newsletter with great interest.
While I found the discussion of Courage very informative, I was struck by the absence of the term “faith.”
Just about every other level of human consciousness was mentioned except, faith. I don’t mean faith as in religion, but faith in the ability to summon that spark deep within us all that makes us dream that life should have a purpose. Without faith we will never be able to rise above the 200 point level of existence.
Tim
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” ~ Emerson
The Article:
C-O-U-R-A-G-E.
Although the qualities that make up a hero are many, one fundamental characteristic of heroism is undeniably
Courage.
In one of his most critical studies, David Hawkins, director of The Institute of Advanced Theoretical Research, shares about his findings regarding levels of human consciousness.
David Hawkins refers to the various levels of human consciousness as energy levels. Death is the lowest energy level at 0 energy level points, and the highest level of consciousness is Enlightenment, which is 700 – 1000 energy level points. Just hovering near Death in the energy level spectrum is Shame, which is the energy level that is associated with such dangerous behaviors as brutality, paranoia, bizarre crimes including serial killings. Just above Shame is Guilt which weighs in at 30 energy level points. Guilt is responsible for behavior such as remorse, self recrimination, masochism, being accident prone and suicidal tendencies.
On the other end of the spectrum, just after Enlightenment, is Peace with 600 energy level points assigned to it. To reach this level of consciousness is very rare, attained by 1 in 10 million people. The experience at this level is blissful. People who calibrate here are known for having made major contributions to society.
Just under Peace and on the way to Enlightenment is Joy at 540 points and just before Joy is Love with 500 energy level points to claim.
Hawkins’ study reveals that all levels below 200 energy level points, which include (in their respective order):
Shame (20), Guilt (30), Apathy (50), Grief (75), Fear (100), Desire (125), Anger (150), Pride (175),
are energy levels which are destructive of life in both the individual and society at large.
All levels above 200:
Neutrality (250), Willingness (310), Acceptance (350), Reason (400), Love (500), Joy (540), Peace (600), Enlightenment (700 – 1000), are constructive expressions of power.
200 energy level points is the breakthrough point for human beings. 200 is where we break through.
Level 200 is Courage. Courage (200).
Imagine. Courage (200) is where we breakthrough, as human beings, from destructive living to constructive living.
Consider that Courage (200) is so much bigger than merely overcoming fear! Courage (200) is the gateway to living a powerful life, of living a life beyond mere survival; beyond the level of ordinary.
Courage (200) is the beginning of Anything’s Possible!
Several years ago my sister faced one of the most difficult challenges of her life. Her husband was wrongly accused of rape. Guilty, with no evidence to support the accusation; none. He was sentenced to 20 years in a state prison. Her children were 7 and 2.
For five years she stood for his innocence. For five years she stood for his freedom. For five years and with 2 young children to raise, she stood, sometimes in a crowd, often all by herself. Five years of headlines and shame. Five years. For five years she battled shame — what do the neighbors think? Will I lose my job? For five years she struggled with her guilt — wrong place wrong time, my fault. Five years of wrestling with grief — death would be better than this. Five years of warring fear — prison visits, child psychologists, what will the future bring? She fought anger and never gave into what was best for her; what she wanted. She stood and she fought. After five years of tears and sweat and pure guts, her husband was released. The verdict was overturned. The case went down in history as one of the very first DNA cases, ever and they eventually won a multi-million dollar settlement.
She stood and she won. Courage (200) is expected to deliver and it will every time. It was her weapon and with it she won. She had to cause something for herself beyond bitterness and hate. She had to turn the other cheek, forgive and generate an unmerited love for people just because that’s what it would take. That is what it took to fight that fight. In the fight of your life it takes Courage (200). She was in a fight for her life and she fought and she won.
You are my profile in courage, my little sister. You are my muse and the most courageous person I know. You are, in fact, my hero.
What does it take to move beyond shame, guilt, apathy, grief, fear, desire, anger and pride? What does it take to give up a position, to be willing and accepting, to smile at someone when you’d rather spit on them? It takes Courage (200), a lot of it! And not the action hero kind. It takes the kind that allows you to intentionally cause love, joy and peace when you are up against it. It takes the kind that allows you to live a life, inspired.
Hawkins’ study reveals that 85 percent of the world population calibrates below 200 energy level points; yes! 85 percent of the human beings in the world operate below the level of Courage (200); they are operating at a destructive level of consciousness and 2.6 percent of the population is responsible for 72 percent of societies problems. That leaves the 15 percent who are operating between level 200 and 700; the15 percent who have caused a breakthrough in living a powerful life.
Hawkins goes on to demonstrate that were it not for the 15 percent of the world population that calibrates between 200 and 700, between courage and love — human kind as we know it would self destruct; would cease to exist. We would literally destroy ourselves. Consider that you are one of the 15 percent who literally, by virtue of the stand that you have taken for life working–you are one of very few who sustain human life as we know it. No kidding. That is serious business. You should deal with that. Your commitment to have your life work has global ramifications effecting people on the other side of the world. That is the real deal.
Now, I have not had my “fact checkers” examine these statistics and, guess what? I don’t need to. The shoe fits! Try it on. How often do you find yourself in the middle of a conversation for “no possibility” with someone and you want to pull your hair out, or theirs. How many casual comments about how “life sucks” must we endure? Those conversations for “no possibility” just won’t do, ’cause the world is hungry for a hero.
The world is starving for a hero and not the Hollywood kind. We are hungry for the kind of hero who will generate the Courage (200) that will bring forth a new view of life when the old view is so familiar and so comfortable. We are hungry for someone who is willing to generate the Courage (200) to give up their position when they are smack dab in the middle of defending it! That kind of heroism takes this kind of Courage (200). The Courage (200) to say ‘Yes” when everyone else is saying “No”. To be who you say you are, when who you say you are is not popular. To declare a stand for something and to live by that stand or die trying. Courage (200).
Imagine.
Do you have a hero? Is someone’s hero YOU?
Why would someone call you hero? What would make somebody yours?
Every time you keep your word, or suck it up, or take a stand, or give a damn– COURAGEOUS. You fall, you get up. You push through and you press on–HEROIC! Every time, every time you do that you are somebody’s hero. You lend a hand, you take a risk, you don’t hold back. You. You are the courageous. You. You are a hero.
C-O-U-R-A-G-E.
Although the qualities that make up a hero are many, one fundamental characteristic of heroism is undeniably Courage (200).
Today, access YOUR Courage (200) so you can tap into your power and celebrate who you really are! Cause the HERO on the BIG screen, the one in the novel, he ain’t the guy! You are! You’re the 15 percent. You are real and you’re the real deal!
That’s serious. No kidding.
Today, you are someone’s HERO, so today just – Deal with that!
Dana
15th
10 -
2009
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no comment »
At Fayetteville State University, Reid champions the need for cultural awakening
One of the most powerful forces ever created by man, the real weapon of mass destruction that exists today, can be summed up in two small words: the media.
I am not sure most folks truly understand the power and influence that the media has over our lives and our culture. How many realize that…politics, religion, news, sports, education and business have all been transformed into an appendage of show business. This has been done without protest or even much popular notice.
I don’t fear much, but one thing I do fear is the loss of culture. For instance, Americans of African descent are losing the realities of their culture because they do not control their images in the media. Add that to the blatant refusal to control the financing and distribution of their stories, and you have the perfect formula for cultural extinction.
There has never been, at any time in American history, as much financial wealth in the hands of Black community. Yet, unlike our less affluent grandparents, we haven’t built a college to educate our youth and can barely keep the ones open that historically made it possible for so many of us to get an education. Most of the infrastructural institutions founded by the former generations, like hospitals, banks, newspapers, magazines, etc., are gone or hanging on by a thread.
Blacks who graduated from the system of HBCU’s are embarrassingly deficient when it comes to giving back to their alma maters. Business professionals, successful entertainers and athletes should be ashamed. The cost of one Escalade could support one young person, who like themselves, seek the opportunity to be nurtured at one of the struggling HBCU’s.
The portrayal of the Black community in the media is at an all time low, including in those outlets run by Blacks themselves. It’s as if we take delight in showing the worst of ourselves. Our music and movies, attack the integrity of young Black women more than the Klan ever did. Where are the stories of the incredible journey of our survival against all odds and barriers? There should be a consistent stream of culturally significant stories. We need to pass these stories on to our children. This should be our mission, and this should be our quest.
It’s time to put our wealth to its proper purpose; to ensure that the journey of the African Diaspora was not in vain. We must tell of tears shed by the untold millions of mothers who one day discovered that their child would not return home to the village, chronicle the agony shared by millions of transplanted souls who suffered and survived so that we could stand tall today and enjoy all that this wonderful country can offer.
To whom much is given, much is expected. Our ancestors deserve better that what we are currently revealing of ourselves.
30th
09 -
2009
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2 comments »
I recently spoke at an award dinner sponsored by the Roanoke, VA chapter of the NAACP. I chose to speak on the subject of Character. Here is an excerpt from my speech:
People in our community appear to have stepped into a period of “FORGETFULNESS.”
Now, as a people we have a lot of problems, many issues, but “surviving” isn’t one of them. Have we completely forgotten our history in this country? From slave ships to space ships…From the slave house to the White house.
Wake up people! What could possibly happen in this world that could be worst then what we have already survived? We’ve been told that the nation is going broke.
Personally, I think we’ve been tricked, bamboozled, let astray, lied too…the real issue is not that this country is broke. The issue is: there is too much money. They are printing money 24/7. We’ve printed so much money we can’t keep count. Every day we hear about another trillion, zillion that will be spent in the months and years to come. The big problem is: all our money is in China.
When you ask anyone on Wall Street what happened? Who’s responsible? They respond by acting like a 4 year old:
“I ain’t do nuttin’…what had happen was…see, I bought dis house. They gave me all dis money…but it weren’t real money, it was a derib-bit-tive…and den uh, Billy told me I had to pay a sub-prime. But den, it was all gone. Poof! Just like dat. I didn’t do nuttin’…It’s Obama’s fault. He gave me the money! Don’t be mad at me…I don’t feel good…I need health care.”
Those greedy bastards ruined the game and now have the audacity to blame everybody else. And now they’ve got everyone afraid. Everybody is all “uh twitter.” Twittering back and forth’ “I’m scared…You scared?” Twittering your every thought and opinion you can cram in one hundred and forty characters or less. Well, I will not get caught up in all this foolishness. I come from a long line of survivors.
My grandparents didn’t have any money and they made it through the Great Depression! They took table scraps and made a meal. Today they call it soul food. Back in the day they did more for our communities with a lot less. They built colleges and hospitals. They owned national newspapers that told our story. It was the Chicago Daily Defender not the New York Times that brought the issue of Lynching in America to the attention of the Government. There were black banks in just about every large Black community. There were Black owned movie theaters. In my home town, there were 7 black owned or operated movie theaters in walking distance of my home. Black producers made “Race Movies” that reveal the wide spectrum of who we were as a people, from singing cowboys to oil barons.
As a kid, I had never met a Black millionaire. I had heard of people in my neighborhood who were “thousandaires,” but of course, they worked for the post office.
Don’t get me wrong, these were not the “good ole days”. Times were hard; there was very little justice. This was the height of “racial segregation”.
And yet, against it all, our fathers and mothers our grandfathers and grandmothers stood tall and dared to meet their challenge. How did they do it? What did they have in abundance that is in short supply today? They had the powerful force of Character.
Look around today. How much character do you see in the business, political and media leaders? If Bernie Madoff would’ve had better character, he wouldn’t have stolen all that money from his friends.
The great Charles Dickens wrote what has to be the second best opening line of any book ever written. The first of course: ”In the beginning…” Dickens wrote, in the book, A Tale of Two Cities…“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” I personally think those words best described where we are in the 21st Century.
War with Iraq, Afghanistan…tensions with North Korea, Iran. Where’s Waldo, I mean, Bin Laden, Aids, 9/11, Health Care Debate, H1N1. I tell you sometimes you just want to stay home and watch Oprah.
Back in the day, our parents and grandparents survived because the alternative was not acceptable. They wanted their children to have a better life. They did what needed to be done with courage and conviction. They made their decisions based on what was best for their family and themselves. They didn’t have Glenn Beck, Keith Obermann, Rush Limbaugh or CNN to tell them what to think. They thought for themselves. And yeah, they made mistakes, but as my Grandma would say, “Junior, do something even if it’s wrong, don’t just sit there.” If she only knew how much trouble that one bit of advice has gotten me into. But that advice has also made me believe that anything I can dream is possible. That advice is part of my character and it has led me to seek opportunities that have changed my life and taken me around the world. This poor skinny black kid born in poverty, a descendent of “sharecroppers” from Whaleysville, Virginia, has dined with Presidents and seen many of the world’s greatest wonders.
In James Hillman’s book, The Force of Character; he asks the question; “What is character, and how does it force us into the patterns we live?” Character, he says, forms your habits, your friendships, your fears, the level of your ambition, your faults. Character affects your loves and your children. He says, “Character is fate.”
When we talk about people from the past, we tell stories that define their character. That is why the history of our American culture is more important now than ever before. These stories feed our imagination. They give our current lives value. When you tell the story of Harriett Tubman, it’s impossible not to be proud and full of wonder. Her story strengthens your courage.
I have a picture of her in my home that makes me smile each time I see it. She is holding a huge rifle in one hand and has her other arm extended back to protect a small family of runaway “former” slaves. The look on her face tells you that you don’t want to get between her and Canada. An ounce of her character could inspire this fearful nation.
If Character is “fate”, then we’d better start some serious character building. We better take the time to re-tell history to our young people of today. If we do not tell of the beautiful, courageous, honorable events, if we never recall the clarity of a decision or the cost of a sacrifice, where will those that follow us gain the information? From the politically insane pundits who spew their dogma over the airwaves?
Over the past few years, I’ve had the pleasure to listen to the personal tales of some of the men and women who helped shape the 20th century. These people are whose character has become a measure that I endeavor to live by. The men and women who fought the wars, survived the Great Depression, desegregated our schools, created ragtime, jazz and rhythm and blues, taught Elvis to wiggle, and won our Civil Rights, are without a doubt, the most creative, courageous and greatest generation of the Modern world.
As a people, who we are now, was forged from the beginning of the 20th century until it’s end. What will become of our legacy and us will be determined by our actions in this, the 21st Century.
One of the great prophets of our times, Dr. King, said he dreamt of the day in our nation…”when our children would be judged not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”
That time has come, What is the character of our children? Is your character strong enough to face today’s challenges? In the words of Alice Walker, ”We are who we have been waiting for.”
14th
09 -
2009
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no comment »
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. If so, this picture reveals true compassion.
2nd
09 -
2009
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1 comment »
The now daily images of angry citizens that flow across my 40-inch flat screen digitally enhanced TV has driven home the fact that anger teaches us something about who we are.
Through the veil of Constitutional Rights, America now vents its frustration, fears and all too often, its falsehoods, with fanaticism that dances on the fringe of insanity. Consumed by the fires of perception we seem to have forgotten the simple lessons that give birth to civility. There is a fair amount of theatrics in the performances of our enraged citizens as if life has taken the form of a low-budget reality show. It’s as if he who shouts the loudest and says the most absurd thing becomes eligible for cash and prizes. The winner is seen the next morning making the rounds of what now passes for news programs.
It appears that we have become addicted to bad behavior. The majority of us now live in fear of life. What will become of us, how will we survive this crisis? Meanwhile the “Bottom-feeding Pundits” play to our fears and incite us to dig deeper into our despair. Least you forget how bad things are, they constantly take polls and quote statistics, proving that they are justified in continuing to scare the hell out of us.
Are we not aware that all this anger and fear is damaging our very souls? Are we so lost that we cannot understand that a world filled with doubt, fear and anger will ultimately destroy its own future? Where is the dignity in screaming over the voices of others to state your disapproval but have no alternative options? I was taught by the generation before me that if one loses their dignity, they lose the essence of their soul. What are we now teaching the children who will come behind us? Will they have any need to use words like character, dignity, courage and morality? Judging by the way we are responding to the first real crisis of this generations’ era, it’s time to pause and consider the words and deeds that will mark us and determine the future of this great country.
Chill people, ratchet down the hostility. To hell with perception, grasp reality and let’s come up with some solutions.
19th
08 -
2009
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2 comments »
I was jolted into reality as I read DeWayne Wickham’s column: http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2009/08/column-white-racisms-convenient-target-our-president.html#uslPageReturn It took courage to say what many of us have refused to accept…a dangerously large portion of America has gone “POLITICALLY INSANE”. The hate and rage that is now being broadcast day-to-day brings back vivid memories of the worst events in the history of our fight for civil rights. Change the wardrobe, and the contorted faces of white Americans screaming insults, appear all too familiar. This time they use different code words: Nazi, Fascist, Socialist, etc., etc. The meaning is still the same, he’s not one of us, and he doesn’t belong where he is.
They want “their” country back, is the habitual refrain and they are willing to raise arms to take it back. Like mindless puppets they repeat the words and opinions of the cable “news” networks. TV pundits, a bunch of over-paid, narcissistic cowards, appeal to the worst in all of us as they spew fear and loathing. Yes, Mr. Wickham, these are dangerous times. However, as my Grandma used to say, “fool’em devil.” As they seem to forget, this time the whole world “is” watching.
11th
08 -
2009
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1 comment »
As I watch a white man stand outside the entrance to the New Hampshire town hall meeting, to be attended by President Obama, with a 9mm strapped to his leg for everyone to see, I worry. The so-called political pundit on TV makes a point to tell us that the man is within his legal right, as long as the gun is shown. You and I know, for a fact, that if a Black man stood outside a building wearing a 9mm strapped to his leg waiting to address the President, he would be arrested and carried away. Hell, if he was waiting to get tickets to the “Price is Right” he would be wrestled to the ground if not shot on sight.
9th
04 -
2009
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2 comments »
The hypocrisy of so-called news pundits and self-appointed TV critics is often so stunning that I wonder if I live in a parallel universe. The recent discussions concerning whether President Obama bowed or didn’t bow to Saudi King, Abdullah stands as an example. One critic remarked, “…it’s becoming increasingly apparent that our new President would rather be accepted and befriended by his new friends abroad, than preserve America’s reputation and leadership as the world’s pre-eminent superpower.”
Apparently this critic is suffering from a severe case of “selective” amnesia. What about how our former President sucked puckered up to the Saudi King?
30th
03 -
2009
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no comment »
Recently a young black man called out to me, “Elder Reid, may I speak with you?” It was a sobering moment, not because the term “Elder” has come to mean someone senior in years. Hell, I am senior in years, and damn proud to have survived and earned every one of my 64 years. It was the term itself, which brought to mind what it used to signify in our communities. When I was a kid, it was used as a term of respect and recognition given by the people. You weren’t born an Elder; that status was earned by how you lived. The young man and I chatted for a few minutes and we went our separate ways, however the term “Elder” has stuck with me and caused me to reflect.
In life, as in sports, you reach a certain point in your career when you’ve got to make a decision; do I still want to run with and challenge the young players or am I ready now to coach? Perhaps one has learned enough to help the next in line become a better player?
We now live in a world where most folks, 60 and over, want to stay on the playing field. Using the sports metaphor, they still want to be the quarterback or the running back, the “marquee” player. Well, if the game is to get any better, somebody’s got to coach. Some of us need to do what in life, “Elders” do. It is time to take on the responsibilities of passing on the cultural traditions and experiences needed to support our communities.
Many of us have lived through difficult times, personally, professionally and politically. Some have had problems with the law, with alcohol or drugs, with family separation; some have seen things no person should ever witness. What we all have in common is the fact that we’ve survived and learned something from our experiences. I’m proud to step into that position because “back when” an Elder was there for me.
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