We who lived in concentration camps can remember the men who walked through the huts comforting others, giving away their last piece of bread. They may have been few in number, but they offer sufficient proof that everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms–to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.
Viktor E. Frankl
Aung San Suu Kyi
A few days ago I read the notice of Aung San Suu Kyi being further detained on house arrest. This to me is the antithesis of the intent of a justice system. The word “justice” derives from “just” which the dictionary defines as “based on or behaving according to what is morally right and fair”. In my understanding the justice system exists to maintain a standard of ethical moral principles. When we do not maintain consistency in our standards we compromise our ethics; destroying our integrity. So what happens to justice?
Many years ago I was an avid smoker. Throughout my smoking days, I promised myself I would quit on many occasions however it wasn’t until years later I finally made the choice to quit. During the times I vowed to stop, often I would excuse away one cigarette, or two as it was better than the usual twenty. I would make all kinds of excuses to allow myself to feel better about it. In making such a promise to myself, and breaking it, I had compromised my own standards. We often sacrifice our own “justice” system for what feels better – for whatever we want in the moment.
In the situation with Aung San Suu Kyi the regime continues to change their laws to entitle themselves to create laws as they choose, and to keep an innocent, noble and remarkably strong woman detained on house arrest.
As each of us build a more consistent justice system within ourselves, we will expose those who do not, and raise our human standards. Around the world, amongst our leaders, un-ethical behavior will become intolerable – then change will occur.
I send my deepest gratitude to Aung San Suu Kyi for being a remarkable example and inspiration for humanity and for her continued exposing of the corruption of the military Junta.
Click here for an update from the Burma Campaign.
Throughout my childhood – I had the great fortune of traveling to many places and experiencing many cultures all of which shaped much of my life today. Over the next few weeks I will share the various places, cultures and how each of them moved me.
I would like to start with Kenya. My mother lived there when I was growing up and Sara and I used to visit her during our school holidays. It was incredible – driving through the game parks – seeing all of the animals, being a part of the ivory burnings, lead by Richard Leakey, an incredible man who was like a father during much of my life, and seeing a way of living that was completely foreign to me upon arrival. I think the most profound experience was when my mother sent my sister, Sara and I to live with a tribe for two weeks. Sara and I where the only “mzungu” (white) children the tribe had ever seen and I remember the children running to see us when we arrived – they were so curious; touching us and giggling! During those two weeks we lived very simply; in mud huts with no electricity, a hole for a toilet, and extremely simple food – however the way of life encompassed incredible richness. The drumming circles, the dancing, the warmth of the people and the way all of the children would gather together to play it was wonderful. I didn’t speak their language, but there was something beyond language; being a child, being human. I will never forget my time there – or all of the other memories of Kenya, and am ever grateful for my Mother’s choice to live there!!
Growing up on a farm in the English countryside was wonderful – the one rule I remember in our house was to be outside whilst the sun was up! I have fond memories of jumping on my pony bare back in the field, making mud pies, adventuring through the swamp and talking to the fairies in the flower garden! Since my childhood, I have traveled much of the world discovering the cities of Europe, the mountain peaks of Nepal, the forest in Australia and many countries in between. I have stayed in the most luxurious hotels and slept many nights under the stars. All of those adventures on a small farm in the English countryside developed into a world traveler.
I have just completed an eight day training called Family Values, where we explored what it means to be a parent and the responsibility of a parent, and a person in a position of authority. Our childhood shapes our foundation and the decisions we make for the rest of our lives yet there is no PhD, no formal education for parenthood – so how do you prepare? How do you learn to be a good parent? I trust there are certain natural instincts that come alive in a woman once she is pregnant, yet that still does not answer the question of what to do; how to teach, punish, reward, build and nurture a child. Having questioned these things over the last days I have concluded there are no “right” answers to these questions – there is knowing my values, what is right for me – and what I believe is the right for the child and having the mental tools to evaluate based on that. I believe this principle applies to all relationships – it feels like compassion; considering other.
I feel very fortunate for the choices my mother made – whilst they were not always easy for her, and choices I do not think she would have made had she not had children – the effects of her choices laid out a beautiful foundation for me.
Parents can only give good advice or put them on the right paths, but the final forming of a person’s character lies in their own hands.
Anne Frank