As I considered the concept of starting out with a clear vision, I noticed a path open up among the trees.
“So this is your idea of Pathfinding?” I asked the aliens.
Yewell nodded, “Previously unseen paths are always discovered when you seek deeper vision.”
“That’s profound,” I said.
“I have my moments,” he said with a shrug.
I nodded toward the path. “So where does it lead?”
“There’s only one way to find out,” said Iman.
“Before mankind began communicating through language” Iman stated, “he used the method of art, of symbols, a method which is still in practice today. Many of these symbols aligned with the natural state of the world, such as the four season, the four elements, and the four aspects of human nature. Since then, other devices for interpreting the natural progression have been developed, but all of them describe the evolution of mankind toward becoming what he is capable of.”
Iman held out his hand, and in the middle of this palm, a small translucent ball swelled to the size of an orange. As he lowered his hand to his side, the globe remained hovering in the air and glowed brilliantly like a miniature sun. As it darkened, it began to spin slowly, and I could see movement on its surface as if it were coated with water.
“Even in one of your oldest accounts of Creation,” Iman continued, “the Biblical story, God first created the firmament, Air. Before all things are created, there is a purity, a newness, and in many different traditions, this clarity is imparted through different symbols.”
The spinning globe took on the appearance of Earth and then seemed to melt from the bottom, still maintaining its size and integrity, but stretching to the floor in a metallic sheen. When it reached what would have been the floor of the nebulous void, it curled up on itself, growing into a craggy rock. As the boulder took shape, the trail from the globe hardened into a listening sword with the globe sitting atop the hilt.
“Is that… is that…” I gulped. “Is that Excalibur?” Read more »
“So that’s it?” I said. “All seven habits?”
“Almost,” said Iman, holding up a long, scrawny finger. “There’s also an Eighth Habit.”
“What’s that? Always write a sequel?”
“Of sorts,” Yewell laughed in a bubbly chuckle. “As Dr. Covey explained it, the Eighth Habit is to ‘Find Your Voice and Inspire Others to Find Theirs.’ So if you find something you feel the need to say and can’t quite finish it in one volume, a sequel’s not a bad idea.” Read more »
“So,” I asked, “if the first six habits actually combine to form the two habits of Independence and Interdependence, what about the seventh?
“Seven has always been known as a mystical number, “said Iman.
“Seven days in the week,” Yewell said.
“Seven physical properties.”
“Seven wonders of the world.”
“Seven days of Creation.”
“Seven Deadly Sins.”
“Seven Virtues.”
“Seven Seas.”
“Seven Chakras.”
“Seven Samurai.”
“Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.”
“Okay, okay, I get it,” I said, “but what about the 7th habit?”
“The 7th habit,” Iman explained, “is Sharpening the Saw. It means that consistent maintenance is necessary so that your habits can not only be developed, but practiced regularly and effectively.” Read more »
“I’m not so sure about this whole Synergize thing,” I said. “It seems like a lot of work.”
“It can be,” said Iman, “but the work can be quite joyful when you see it as it truly is.”
“So many of you have developed this mindset that sees work as nothing more than laborious drudgery,” added Yewell. “However, considering that it allows you to reach the pinnacle of your creativity and gives such an accomplishment of purpose, it seems that it would be more difficult to not go about it in the most effective way possible.”
“And that would be synergy?” I said
“Think of it this way,” said Iman. “The six habits we’ve discussed so far comprise the two essential habits of Private victory and Public Victory. Yet they are really just mirror images of one another. They are not the same. They are simply similar dynamics affecting two dimensions of reality.”
“Realizing our value and appreciating our community is all well and good,” I said, “but we’ve still got plenty to fear. There’s terrorism and war and global warming and pollution…”
“Why is it,” Yewell interrupted, “that the only abundance you realize is how many things you have to fear?”
“Is it my fault the world is such a scary place?”
“Probably not yours personally, but most of the fears you mentioned are manmade,” said Iman.
“What do you mean our fears have hidden the realization of abundance?” I asked Iman. “These days it seems that we just have an abundance of things to fear.”
“Yes, you certainly have gotten yourselves quite worked up,” said Yewell.
“Well, we’ve got a lot to get worked up about,” I argued. “We’ve got a crumbling economy. Foreclosures left and right. Million of us without healthcare. Terrorists are out to get us. We’ve got two endless wars going on. And we’ve got a political system based on arguing the extremes that is more geared toward entertainment than actual accomplishment. Wouldn’t you get worked up?”
“Yes, you do have some issues to work though,” said Iman.
“Issues?” I said. “Those are more than issues. Our whole society is on the verge of collapse!”
