Category: English

Daily we face a vast array of decisions. Differentiating between doing what is “right” and “wrong” is a matter of perception and not always easy. Often our biggest challenge is to take action and do something. In making these decisions we can keep in mind our actions affect many, near and far.

Our instincts have one objective, to reproduce and continue to exist. Frequently, we believe our desire to put ourselves ahead of others is necessary for our survival. The lion in the jungle standing to the side and lets the other lions eat first won’t last for very long. He will soon be history. Though we may view our circumstances as our own special jungles, we are not lions nor do we live in the lion’s jungle!

As human beings, we have marvelous minds which allow us to analyze and think of alternative actions. People who think only of themselves may achieve much at the expense of others, though they are likely to lead barren lackluster lives.

Fortunately, there is another way to achieve our desire. This includes fame, fortune, relationships and anything else, be it emotional or material. The key is to be useful to others because when we help others get what they want, we eventually get what we want.

Let’s look at the analogy of a boomerang. We throw it and it comes back to us. While this works in theory, for those who have actually thrown a boomerang, it doesn’t always work in practice. If we don’t know how to use the boomerang, the results can be quite unexpected. If we throw it poorly, we can break a window or hit somebody in the head. When we learn how to work the boomerang, we can improve our results.

In many cases we give “good” or “bad” without realizing what we are doing. It is simply part of our daily activity and not intended as “good” or “bad.” In this case, the boomerang we throw will likely arrive someplace unknown because we are unaware of what we are doing.

As time passes, we grow in mind, body, spirit and experience. It is then when we often give “good” or “bad,” fully aware of our actions, though not necessarily the consequences. We know, for example, if we pick up our trash after an outing in the park, others who come after us will find the place nice and clean. Likewise, we know if we do not pick up our trash, those who come later will find the place disagreeable and dirty. While this is not always the case and some don’t think twice about leaving trash, they aren’t necessarily doing it to be bad, often they are simply unaware of the consequences of what they are doing.

We are all human and we all make mistakes. If only we could prevent the havoc we create. It is the evil we commit consciously which is ultimately the most damaging. When we know we are doing wrong, the boomerang will go its course and eventually return to deliver its devastating blow.

Similarly, it is possible to do the right thing without knowing it’s right. In this case, we throw the boomerang and the positive effect falls on someone without our intention. Better yet is to do the right thing intentionally because the boomerang will positively affect those in its path before returning to us with sensational results.

Doing the right thing rarely costs money or resources and it can be something as simple as a smile. The results on own lives and those of others multiply and compound exponentially. Throwing a boomerang full of positive energy and spirit regularly is the best way to achieve the results we desire.

∞ Rob McBride ∞
LL II 11

We all have a special gift which can lead to more productivity and happiness. Finding this gift is not always easy. For many, finding this gift can take an entire lifetime. Nevertheless, it is worthwhile to move toward this end because when we find it, we will be happier and become more useful to ourselves and to others.

My book A Special Gift examines this phenomenon and through the eyes of its main character proposes a path to find our own special gift. One of the characters in the book is named “Pacheco.” He is a security guard who loses his job and, as a result, evaluates what he does and how he does it. This analysis leads him to find his own special gift.

When I was about to publish the book, I was talking to the security guard in my building and asked him, “What is your name?” He answered with a smile, “Pacheco, like the security guard on the television show here in Venezuela!” We both laughed. As a result of this conversation, we became friends and I changed the name of one of my characters in A Special Gift from Pedro to Pacheco.

While the Pacheco in my book had to change his profession to find his special gift, this isn’t always the case! In fact, the Pacheco I know does his job extraordinarily well and if he hasn’t found his special gift, he is well on his way. It is precisely this path which is most important. As Facundo Cabral says, “The path tends to be more exciting than the destination, if indeed it is possible to get anywhere at all.” My friend Pacheco shows by his actions and his attitude this is the case. The other day I asked him, “What’s up? What are you doing?” He answered with a smile, “I’m doing the ‘Pacheco,’ ” again referencing the television character here in Venezuela. He is always aware of what is going on without passing the limit which invades privacy.

How many people in the world do their jobs just to get a monthly paycheck? There are millions! The worst part of this sad truth is that the negative attitude many project is evident in everything they do.

We all know people who love life and do their jobs spectacularly, as well as others who are sick of life and are terrible in what they do. So, what’s the difference? What can we do to be one in a million rather than just another in the masses?

We can look for something which drives us with passion, something which lights a fire in our belly and gives us a reason to get up every day with the energy and enthusiasm we need to face difficulties, which no doubt will come. Life is not a problem to be resolved, rather a challenge to be faced.

When we think about the events bringing pride and joy to our lives, they are generally those which initially seemed to be obstacles with no solution. When we overcome these hurdles with tenacity and perseverance, they become the roots which form the foundation of our existence.

Most important isn’t what we do, rather how we do it. To find our special gift it isn’t necessary to change our work or start anew. The best we can do is find a way to implement our special gift in what we are presently doing. All organizations need people who are valuable and productive to aid them in achieving their objectives. Often one of the most important questions we can ask ourselves is, “Will I be part of the problem or part of the solution?”

We can look at the world with the curiosity of a child and find our own special gift. This enables us to fully enjoy this incredible journey we call life and live with more intensity. This passion leads us to boldly take hold of each moment because each is gone in an instant and there is no better time to “Do the Pacheco” than right now.

∞ Rob McBride ∞
LL II 10