Sucker Punched!

Failure is not fatal, but failure to change might be. -John Wooden(1910-) Basketball Hall of Famer, and former coach of UCLA whose 10 NCAA championships in 12 years is unmatched.

Hoodwinked

Have you ever been sucker punched? You know, when somebody sneaks up on you and punches you right in the face before you’re even ready to defend yourself? Well even if the answer is no, I bet you all still know the feeling of being hoodwinked, tricked or duped. When you ran headlong into the light believing that you were moving towards the answer only to find out it was a sucker’s bet.

Why are we all so susceptible to a sneaky left hook? Why are we so quick to believe anybody and everybody that comes along hocking the “latest and greatest?” Why are we craving the quick fix and ready to part with our souls to get it. Well maybe the answer is simply the fact that we have been softened up over time. The truth is that humans have always been easy marks for the “con game.”

In People We Trust

Why? Because we’re believers in hope and genuinely deep down we are good people so we trust! We don’t really want to hurt each other, we just allow negative circumstances to turn us on the attack. We figure that if we got screwed over by life or other people then the simplest reaction is revenge. Furthermore, this gets compounded by laziness. Why work so hard to achieve when we can simply take the shortcuts and get what we want without the sacrifice.

But we all know a victory at the expense of others is shallow. That feeling that follows as we rest on a pile of cash is painful. So we lie to ourselves and run down the justification road. What’s the big deal, we think. Those losers deserve to be separated from their possessions. Survival of the fittest, just ask Darwin! So think about it…do we really hold up the raiders as the true heroes…do you see any busts resembling Madoff?

Native Europeans

As this note is being composed, the American Thanksgiving is being celebrated. A time that we remember the first European settlers of the country. As fate would have it, I live near Plimoth Plantation and decided to take my kids there to take a walk back in time; but what I didn’t realize is how this would crystallize for me where we are all off track.

The most remarkable site is the replication of the 1600s settlement of both the Pilgrims and the Native Americans. Therein is the first clue. We actually celebrate the “founding” of this country when in fact for many unnumbered years the place was inhabited by Natives. Tribes of tight knit families that had names like Wampanoag. Yet when Columbus got lost, he thought he was in India and decided to be consistent with his mistake and refer to them as Indians. Sort of like you calling me Bobby in spite of the fact that you later realize I’m Danny, but keep calling me Bobby anyhow.

Hostile Takeover

So how does this relate to being sucker punched. Well simple. What happens throughout the next chunk of U.S. history is that the settlers begin to perpetuate one of the greatest hostile takeovers in World history. A land rich in resources and opportunity, gets plundered at the sacrifice of a native people. Just imagine inviting some guests over for dinner and they decide to kick you out of your house and make you move!

The reason this theme has penetrated my soul is because I have had the great privilege to lead a group of people in the real estate industry. Knowing the intimate details of what really ails them has changed me forever. I not only see their pain, but I have come to feel it as my own as I see me in them. I understand more then ever that what we think separates us actually is what bonds us.

Smelling Salts

We think that we have to hide our pain and put on a straight face until we are at the breaking point, when we either have a inspirational moment or pull the trigger. Knowing this place in other people’s lives is like a giant vial of smelling salts. How can anybody in a position of power or authority ever not take that as a humbling opportunity. To know that someone’s life can hang in the balance as they seek and hope for that safe place.

Where has our sense of responsibility gone? Are we so obsessed with conquering that we no longer even recognize each other? Do we only see prospects, transactions, dollars, market share and demographics? Where have all the people gone? Is anybody out there?!! Do you know anybody’s name? Do you know where they live? Do you understand their challenges? Do you feel their pain? Do you ask them questions and create an environment where they feel safe enough to share so that we all can realize we’re just the same.

Crying Out Loud

The stories of Average Joe and Average Jane will floor you! You see we’ve become so isolated that we don’t even realize we’re the same. But listen. When you probe enough the story will reveal itself to you. You’ll feel your own pain welling up inside. Your emotions will catch fire again and you’ll feel moved. You’ll know immediately that if you can only muster up the courage to conquer your fear of embarrassment and run headlong into the wind crying out to those in need, you’ll rediscover all that matters.

As I close this, I’ll wonder out loud why when watching the movie “Blind Side” this weekend I felt like crying out loud in the theatre. I could see a giant inside me stirring. I could feel his rumble. He wants out and he wants at people! He wants to reach into their hearts and accept Gandhi’s challenge to be the change he wants to see! The night after the movie, the giant and I went to dinner with my mother and watched a woman faint in the restaurant and crash to the floor face first.

Giant Cat

But the giant took action as he threw me over the table and the couch like a cat, only to land perfectly next to the lady. The giant slowly encouraged her onto the couch and looked into her eyes and saw the fracture of humanity. The truth is there was no doctor needed at all. Only the comfort of another human being who wanted nothing more then to help and protect. Of course the giant knows that nobody is coming to protect us so it’s time to make the move. Once woken up and reconnected to humanity…the giant can never be stopped!

Tags: Blind Side, John Wooden, Plimouth Plantation, Thanksgiving, Wampanoag