A forsaken country and its citizens

Cry, my beloved country, for we have been forsaken by our leaders! Daily we are increasingly besieged by internal problems. We have illnesses and refuse to correct them. A cancer is spreading and all our leaders do is talk and talk about it. Why have we been abandoned? Where is their will and courage to solve our problems?

Our beautiful islands in which so many of us were born and which has given us pride in being islanders is being abused and assaulted by the very people who we trust and selected to act as our representatives. Businesses are folding their doors. Our children are leaving their homes because their future has been blurred. Tourists are abandoning us because we have lost the lure of attraction. What future lies in wait? How can we change? Why do we not improve? Are we so helpless that we cannot help ourselves? Cry, my beloved country, for we have been forsaken!

My frank and honest opinion is that our leaders have forsaken us. They talk and talk while the islands “burn.” All our representatives, from the top to the bottom, should be ashamed for what they are doing to us and to these lovely islands. Many of them have been in government for many years yet have not learned to be leaders. They have no shame for what they do. Thank God for the few who are voicing their concerns, but sadly their voices are drowned out by the cads who remain in office. For shame that so many refuse to correct the problems! Cry, my beloved country, for we have been forsaken!

I refuse to believe that we cannot resurrect ourselves. The plain and simple fact is that we have lost leadership! We have men in power who have no strong will and determination to act courageously. These men have betrayed us. And betrayal of trust is one of the worst crimes against another human being. Cry, my beloved country, for we have been forsaken!

A country’s strength and greatness comes from two sources. One is from its educated citizens that work hard for their country. The other source of greatness is leadership that practices qualities to lead the country. Leadership may be defined as a process by which a person influences others to accomplish an objective and directs the organization. The leader motivates other people to perform or accomplish acts. Though I have written about these qualities before, we need to be reminded of them and how important they are. Let’s examine these qualities of leadership again.

Confidence: When a course of action has been decided, the leader with confidence carries it out regardless of the popularity it may cost him. He will defend his position against all attack. The leader with confidence will act with faith and belief in a right, proper, and effective way. He knows the price he has to pay to stand by his beliefs and accepts it.

Courage: The ancients looked for it in the heart. It requires little mental ability, but it takes a lot of heart to be courageous. We all possess courage in varying degrees. But the leader exerts greater mental and moral strength to venture, persevere, to withstand danger, fear, and difficulty. A great leader does not say “go”—instead say “Follow me!”

Compassion: Of all the qualities that unite one human being to another is compassion. Simply put, a leader with compassion feels for his fellow human beings and reaches out to assist in any way possible. Compassion is one of the noblest qualities one could possess.

Faith: The leader seeks guidance to think, feel and act properly. With faith he finds fidelity in keeping his promises.

Integrity: A leader with integrity attracts followers. He instills trust in his ability to lead. A sense of responsibility and honesty dominates his decisions. His followers feel comfortable with him because they know his sense of values will not betray them.

Determination: After studying carefully the matter under discussion, he decides his position and maintains it steadfastly. He doesn’t weave back and forth because of self-interest. The leader practices discipline times determination plus commitment to equal success.

Communication: The leader possesses an ability to convey his thoughts to others in a clear and forceful manner. Should he lack the verbal power to convey his ideas clearly, he manages to do so by his actions. His examples take the place of words.

Willpower: The history of great men and women teaches that willpower is the most decisive of all qualities in public life. A leader can have immense intelligence and all the other qualities, but if willpower is lacking he is nothing.

Risk-taking: Leaders have courage to act in situations where results aren’t assured. They’re willing to take risks. They analyze the situation, listing pros and cons. Then they determine the possibility of what each outcome may occur.

Motivation: Leaders articulate their vision and ideals to others, convincing them of the value of their ideas. They inspire people to work towards common goals and to achieve things they never thought they could do.

Character: Leaders are men marked by notable or conspicuous traits. They know how to earn respect and trust. Their form of leadership is to lead by examples.

How many of these do we see in our elected officials? Is it any wonder that our islands are in the dilemma we find ourselves in? Is it any wonder we should be concerned about the qualities of our leaders? Cry, my beloved country, for we have been forsaken!

True and concerned leaders spent a lifetime perfecting the qualities of leadership. Yet who do we know has been doing that? No wonder we are in such a mess. Yet they all claim to be our leaders. And some of them are even planning to be our next governor?!?? Cry, my beloved country, for we have been forsaken!

How many of them read and study how the rest of the world impacts on our little islands? How many understand the effects their shallow decisions have on us and the economy? How many stand up and loudly proclaim that we must change? Cry, my beloved country, for we have been forsaken!

When I see men with the power to make our islands great and self-sufficient fail to attack the problems and bring about needed changes, I am saddened. Instead these men play political brinkmanship. Each plays his own agenda against the good of the community. They cry that we lack money and resources. No, that is not true! We lack the will! Where is their pride? Where is their shame? When will the betrayal cease? Cry, my beloved country, for we have been forsaken!

Marcus Aurelius, the great Roman emperor, wrote in his book Meditations: “Waste no time arguing what a good man should be. Be one!” Later he added: “A man then must stand erect, not be kept erect by others.” If not to strive toward perfection what other reason did God place a mind and heart in us? Leaders are not born, but made.

I plea with my fellow citizens to our leaders: Stop betraying us and take your positions as leaders. Stop the betrayal of our trust! Love your country and your people before yourself. Summon your will and do it! Cry, my beloved country, for you have been forsaken!