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Good Morning Thinkers!
Archive: January 17, 2000
Taking Action
Thanks to everyone who corrected the source and the text of last week's quote. It is much more powerful in its corrected form. It should have read:
" ... it ought to be remembered that there is nothing more difficult
to take in hand, more perilous to conduct,
or more uncertain in its success,
than to take the lead in the introduction
of a new order of things.
Because the innovator has for enemies
all those who have done well under the old conditions, and
lukewarm defenders in those who may do well under the new."
-- Nicolo Machiavelli, "The Prince," 1515
Re-reading and focusing on this quote makes me think that we should take it as more than a quote. It is actually a call to action and, since we are at the beginning of a new year, decade, century and millennium, perhaps we should heed its challenge and decide what new order of things we will take the lead in.
What new order of things are you personally willing to take the lead in? This could be at work, at home, in your community, in your church, anywhere where you feel passion and are willing to take the risk.
Let's use this challenge as a way of stating our intention for the year. And, let's think of this as something bigger than "resolutions." Leading a new order of things is about more than losing weight or starting a budget. It's about what you feel so compelled to do that you are willing to face enemies and lukewarm defenders.
Send your response TO: new@thinksmart.com
SUBJECT: NEW ORDER
And, in the meantime, light a candle for the growing legion of orphans in the world.
-- Joyce Wycoff