Viewpoint:
A Life That Counts
By Hoosain Narker
They said he died!
One morning in 1888, Alfred Nobel, inventor of dynamite, the man who
had spent his life amassing a fortune from the manufacture and sale of
weapons of destruction, awoke to read his own obituary. Of course, it
was a mistake. Alfred's brother had died, and the reporter inadvertently
wrote Alfred's obituary.
For the first time, Alfred Nobel saw himself as the world saw him - "the
dynamite king," the great industrialist who had made an immense
fortune from explosives. This, as far as the general public was concerned,
was the entire purpose of his life. None of his true intentions surfaced.
Nothing was said about his work to break down the barriers that separated
persons and ideas. He was, quite simply, a merchant of death, and for
that alone would he be remembered. Alfred read the obituary with horror.
He felt that the world must know the true meaning and purpose of his
life! He resolved to do this through his last will and testament. The
final disposition of his fortune would show the world his life's ideals.
At that time came into being yearly prizes for chemistry, physics, medicine,
literature - and the famous Nobel Peace Prize.
If you were to read your own obituary today, what would it say? Do others
know what you stand for, what you believe in and what truly matters to
you?
Dr. Philip Humbert asks, "What remarkable, extraordinary and amazing
things will you do with this wild and wonderful miracle, your one and
only life?" The question should perhaps also be asked this way: "What
will you do with this wild and wonderful miracle, your one and only day?" For
how we spend our days will decide how we spend our lives. Chances are,
you will not read your own obituary. But you have already begun to write
it - day by day, moment by moment. Live your todays as if they truly
matter, and tomorrow you will look back on a life that counted.
About the author:
Hoosain Naker is Director of his own South Africa Ashihara Kaikan Karate
Organization (founded in 1985) . It is one of the largest and most successful
network of schools in South Africa which is quickly expanding internationally
through his new Ashihara Karate International Organization. Ranked also
in Goju Ryu as well as Taekwondo and Narker has also studied with teachers
in a wide variety of other empty handed and weapons arts. Since 1990,
he has served as an Executive Member on the Provincial and National Karate
Structures, being a founder. |
