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If a country is governed with tolerance,
the people are comfortable and honest.
If a country is governed with repression,
the people are depressed and crafty.
When the will to power is in charge,
the higher the ideals, the lower the results.
Try to make people happy,
and you lay the groundwork for misery.
Try to make people moral,
and you lay the groundwork for vice.
Thus the Master is content
to serve as an example
and not to impose her will.
She is pointed, but doesn't pierce.
Straightforward, but supple.
Radiant, but easy on the eyes.
58
Tao Te Ching, a New English Version, copyright ©️ 1988 by Stephen Mitchell, published by HarperCollins. All rights reserved.
If I began to cover the full extent of the profoundity and power of the Academy Award Nominated Film Sound of Metal, I’d end up writting a book about it. Until then, the lens will have to be adjusted to fit single scene in the eye piece.
[Warning: Mild spoiler]
Thought the film, we are taken along the rocky emotional journey of Ruben’s mind; a young musician who has lost his hearing. The movie “asks you to feel a lot, It asks you to move through your own discomfort at times and to kind of go through this ring of fire with Ruben.” says the director Darius Marder.
In a desperate attempt to return to “normality” Ruben sells everything he owns to get implant surgery and asks for shelter in a Deaf community for a couple of weeks. In an incredible scene, and a masterclass in acting, the leader of the communiy responds with the following:
"Ruben, as you know, everybody here shares in the belief that being deaf is not a handicap. Not something to fix. It’s pretty important around here. All these kids, all of us. Need to be reminded of it every day. And my house is a house built on that belief and built on trust. And when that trust is violated, things happen. And I can’t have that. There are too many others to consider. And so, in your current state, at this time. I’m gonna have to ask you to pack up your bags today and find another place to stay. [See clip here]
At this point, it might be hard to understand why Joe, the leader, was turning his back on Ruben, who he came to love like a son. What could possibly justify sending a man to the streets just for trying to get his life back? It was only when I read this week’s TTC chapter that I could put words to his to his “why”.
Setting his example is not just the only tool a leader needs, it’s the only tool a leader has. For better or for worse, when building a community, the words you say are like chips at a party: It’s nice to have them there, but that’s not really why people showed up. An AA group leader could be the most eloquent and charming person in the world, but the meeting would still be a disaster if he were sipping a beer between sentences Leading by example takes integrity, and its effect is multiplied by how hard it is to stay true to it.
Straightforwardness in how you set your example may seem indifirent, but more often than not, it lays the ground work for enlightenemnt for everyone around.1
Quote of the Week
“The world does keep moving, and it can be a damn cruel place. But for me, those moments of stillness, that place, that's the kingdom of God.”
Sound of Metal - Screenplay by Darius Marder and Abraham Marder
Song Picks of the Week (Official TTT Playlist here)
6 AM Mimosa - DJ BORING (Lo-Fi)
Yamaha - Aleksandir (Lo-Fi)
Voted No.2 in the Classic FM Hall of Fame 2021 (Classical, of course)
This is just the second movement, which is my favorite for now.
Thank you! Let me know your thoughts on Sound of Metal! I hope you watch it.
Until next Tuesday,
Daniel
And if it dosent, that is also OK.