“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!”
“What do you mean the end of the world isn’t what I think it is?” I asked Iman. “What else could it be?”
“It could just be the end of the world as you know it,” he said as Yewell joined him in walking away from me into the vast expanse of nothingness that surrounded us.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked, following after them. “Where are you going?”
“It means what it means and we’re going where we’re going,” said Yewell.
“You’re not going anywhere! We’re in the middle of nothing.”
“It often seems that way, doesn’t it?” said Iman. Read more »
“Everybody wins,” I said. “That’s the fourth habit, right? Think Win/Win.”
“Exactly,” said Iman. “It’s been a hard concept for humanity to grasp. Even before Jesus brought up what’s come to be known as The Golden Rule, your higher thinkers have realized the benefit of looking out for your neighbor.”
“However,” added Yewell, “the majority of your population does not consist of higher thinkers.” He nodded to the right with a little shift of his oblong head.
I looked into the vast expanse of the nebulous void. Off in the distance, a pin prick of light emerged, growing bigger as it came toward us. As it grew nearer, I could make out the color of green. There was movement, and I soon realized that they were human figures. As the light from the image began to overtake me, it was coated with red. Suddenly, I was immersed in the light of movement in color. Read more »
“How do I go from independence to interdependence?” I asked Iman.
The tall alien looked at me and shrugged. “You don’t.”
“What do you mean I don’t? I though you said the two ‘big picture’ habits were to be independent then to be interdependent.”
“No,” he corrected, “we said they are to be independent and interdependent. You don’t stop being independent as you become interdependent. That will just make you dependent again.”
“Whatever,” I argued. “You got me on a matter of semantics.”
“Semantics are important if you’re going to write the world,” added Yewell. “Don’t forget how powerful words can be.”
“For many people, words mean everything,” said Iman.
“Some people need to lighten up,” I chided.
Iman shook his bald head. “You are really not starting off this whole interdependent thing on the right foot.”
“Sorry. Something about an Estralarian mind meld makes me a little edgy.”
“So then how do I put first things first,” I asked the aliens.
“Be proactive,” said Iman.
“And begin with the end in mind,” said Yewell.
“You’re not helping,” I said.
“Maybe you should try reversing them” added Yewell.
Dealing with one alien is hard enough, but dealing with two really is downright…
“Impossible?” Yewell interjected. “Just think of where you’d be if we weren’t here to help you.”
“I’d be reading the 7 habits book like a normal person.”
“When have you ever been normal?” he asked. Read more »
“I have a question,” I said to Iman as he cocked his oblong head to one side.
“What’s new?” he replied.
“Don’t get snippy,” I told him. “You’re the ones who decided to give me the mind meld. I didn’t ask for this.”
“Not directly, no,” he replied, “but go ahead with your question.”
“What do you mean ‘not directly’?”
“Is that your question?”
“It’s a question. One of many more, I’m sure.”
“What was the point of your studying the habits of highly effective people?” he asked. Read more »
