Battle 2008: Spoils, Trophies and Casualties

As the year draws to a close its time to take stock. This is a just battle, and if you survived it, then you can live to fight another battle. Let’s use metaphors of battle and war to share a few points. You might have been a casualty of the economics, politics, business, social, spiritual or even environmental factors but if you are reading this it means you have another fighting chance. There are some of you, who might even be victors in the battle of 2008, but it’s not time to revel in perpetual celebration, the war ain’t over yet.

My granny always used to tell us stories using battles as milestones or memory pointers. In the ancient days, war was the way of life. At the end of battles, kings would sit down and take stock. They would count their casualties, spoils, trophies and most importantly the key learning points and or lessons from the battle.

Lessons From The Casualties

We all have suffered casualties one way or the other. I have my story too. I remember at the beginning of the year I put some money into some stocks, and the trading environment changed. I got burnt! Was it painful? Of course. Do I have to keep mourning over the losses? Hell no! I have buried the carcass of those losses and it’s time to move on. I have learnt the lesson though to be more diligent and judicious before I bet the family silver on the wrong horse.

Kings would declare a few days of mourning after their battle losses, but after that period was over it was time to get on with the kingdom business. Let me declare to you that days of mourning over the losses in 2008 are over, and get on with the business of taking your life somewhere. They would also draw lessons from the losses in order to avoid a repeat. Making a mistake once is a lesson, making the mistake twice is foolishness. There are certain losses where you can say “Never again under my watch, not in 2009 not ever”

Lessons From The Spoils and Trophies

The spoils and trophies represent your successes. Kings would declare days of celebration to revel in their plunder and parade the trophies (prisoners of war and enemy commanders). Celebrations would not happen forever because there were no permanent victories. The enemy would relent for a short season but would wait for an opportunity to avenge the losses.

It is good to celebrate your successes. But there is one truth…success in not a destination. It is the progressive realisation of predetermined worthwhile goals. Success in 2008 does not translate to success in 2009. You need to consolidate the gains from 2008 by putting anchors in the ground so that you do not back slide. Get your feet on the ground, be sober and know that you have won a battle but the war is not over. The lessons from your success/spoils are that you now have a template or point of reference to replicate that success going forward. It is also a memorial and mental anchor that YOU have done it before, so YOU can do it again.

Lessons From The Battle Strategy

The spoils and casualties you experience are a reflection of your battle strategy. War is an art learnt over time. You perfect your fighting art by learning from previous battles. There are battles which require heavy fire power. Other battles require ‘shock and awe’, some battles require that you hunt like a leopard…stealth, some guerrilla style or cow horn formation. The point is different battle goals require appropriate battle strategy. You cannot use antiquated weapons (spears and shield) to fight a space age war (GPS guided missiles).

Going into 2009, you need to ask yourself, ‘How could I have avoided some of the losses? How could I have maximised some of my success?’ As you answer these questions it shapes your plans around for the battle of 2009. Your process and methodologies for achieving your goals need to be changed if you are to get new results. I am deliberately using metaphors of war, because in 2009 I want us to be a warrior and revolutionary people who will champion progressive change in all areas of life. The losses of 2008 that might have caused you a heart break must be a defining moment which causes you to break new ground looking ahead. The successes must be a defining moment which causes you to break the charts going forward.

Daily Inspiration

By Os Hillman
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The Balanced Life

On Monday this week, we went for dinner with our friends to celebrate our wedding anniversary. As we sat chatting we discussed how sometimes we get so busy with our lives and unintentionally overlook the other areas of life. The pursuit of professional, business education or ministry success can easily relegate all the other areas of life to the background. Success in life is more than just a fat bank account, seven degree certificates, a big house, 10 cars, a mega ministry or a huge business. Make no mistake all those things are great, but the singular pursuit of one to the exclusion of other areas of life can be counter-productive in the long run. Your health, relationships, spiritual condition, are all just as important.

As I reflected on our conversation I began to think about the need for a balanced life. If your life is not balanced you will soon suffer from either ‘social/spiritual/soul/financial kwashiorkor’ or other deficiency syndromes. Let me share with you the 5 balances you need to have in life.

Spiritual Balance

Wo(man) born of God is fundamentally a spiritual being. You are a bundle of spiritual energy. How well that energy sparkles depends on how well connected are you to the Ultimate Creative Source. When you tap into this Source, you become untouchable in a good way. Spiritual balance is that untapped, yet incredibly powerful, almost magical kind of power. It’s the inner energy we all have. It’s a major component of contentment and peace-of-mind. When we are connected spiritually we become at peace with our Creator, self and others. In this state we operate in the fullness of divine possibility and power. This balance is the bedrock for the next 4 balances.

Financial Balance

“Money answereth all things” – Ecclesiastes

Money is good. It is the love of money which is the root of all evil. You need money in life to make a difference to your own life, let alone the lives of others. Money amplifies your voice and your influence as ‘The Preacher’ said in Ecclesiastes because “…the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard” The voice of Bill Gates caries weight because he has some financial leverage.

To change the world we need people who have financial leverage to champion causes that change social and economic conditions. If you lack in financial balance, soon or later it may just start to affect your health and mental condition. It is therefore important that you learn to create financial wealth with your ideas and your hands. Learn the art of creating value and always remember that money is an idea.

Physical Balance

Without a prosperity in your body, financial prosperity counts for nothing. To enjoy financial balance you need to have physical balance. After a punishing schedule this year, I really feel my body calling for a ‘time out’. I need rest. It’s important to periodically retreat to revitalise your body. A healthy mind is in a healthy body. Linked to physical balance is the need to watch the foods we eat, cut out intoxicating substances and other degenerative fleshly indulgences.

Social Balance

Social balance is at two levels – self and others. At the level of self, you need to have a good sense of self esteem and security so you can relate with others in a healthy way. We were created as social animals with a relational instinct and affinity for fellowship. When we neglect this, we become deficient. You probably have come across many who would readily trade material wealth for true love or even a good friendship. We are healthier and happier when we have rewarding, healthy relationships with others. This balance includes family. Strong families build strong communities and nations.

Mental Balance

Empires of the future are empires of the mind – Winston Churchill. You are a product of everything your mind has imbibed. A sound mind comes from the facts, skills, talents, and life experiences you’ve built up and developed over the years. If your mind has stopped learning then your life starts to plateau, and soon you will hit the skids. Broaden your possibilities by reading widely; deepen your insight by investigative learning. A leader is a reader.

IMPORTANT: Let’s all take time to pray for Zimbabwe, which has sadly become a rendezvous of broken humanity. One gets the sense that this great nation of beautiful people is now on autopilot with no solution in sight. But may our faith in a God who is able give us the strength to pray and not give up in this midnight hour.