By Alec Hogg
A small group of us made the six hour round trip from London to Birmingham on Saturday where we were privileged to witness the restoration of Springbok rugby pride. From kickoff through to injury time, the boys in Green and Gold gave every ounce. Witnessing it was priceless, recalling my late friend Des Irwin’s guidance that memories are mankind’s greatest treasures.
It was also a reminder that those elevated to lofty heights should never take their supporters for granted. Something the SA team stand accused of the week before when fluffing their lines against the Japanese minnows.
In business, in politics, in friendships, in life, it is easy to forget whence we came. For our minds to let slip that positions of esteem only become possible through the embrace and support of others, sometimes many others.
Warren Buffett, an endless font of good sense, reckons those best positioned to succeed are people most liked by their fellows. Not the brightest, most gifted or the best looking. But the people who engender warmth by going out of their way for others. Or, put differently, those who never take others for granted.
From Biznews community member David Melvill
I was immediately reminded of how the Springboks ducked the arrival centre at the airport, and how the fans were deprived of meeting them there. Many folk had gone to great lengths to get there to welcome them, I am sure. It was sad and disappointing to read of this. I could not help think they had gotten too big for their boots.
Then hearing that in their build up to the World Cup, they stayed in the Beverly Hills Hotel at R 4 000 a day, pampered with luxury, made me not so eager to support this highly paid team, who probably thought much too much of themselves. Oh well “pride always seems to go before a fall.” Japan, were worthy winners indeed!
I loved your friend’s, Des Irwin’s quote on the guidance that “memories are mankind’s greatest treasures.” Very true, a quote I am going to save, as it epitomises so much.
Equally brilliant is Buffett’s reflection, “Those best positioned to succeed are people most liked by their fellows. Not the brightest, most gifted or the best looking. But the people who engender warmth by going out of their way for others. Or, put differently, those who never take others for granted.”
This morning at 4 am, I was up early it was a very a significant time to watch the last of the blood moons (we will not see for 30 years again), the eclipse turned very red and dark until there was just the faintest silhouette around the moon. Sadly my camera could not capture it – too bright in our surroundings. I had to feast on this image and hope that the memory has burnt into my image bank.
Today saw the end of the 4 blood moons seen over these last 12 months (they are always significant for the Jews). Today is also the end of the solar eclipse that has lasted almost 2 weeks (significant for the Gentiles). And then the start of the feast of Tabernacles today too.
Three witnesses, it may just be that we will see something significant in the Dow today?
As for me, I am looking for a trigger that will cause the markets to pull back. The Chinese market crack? More vehicle dishonest announcements (like VW)? Not sure what to expect, but firmly believe we will see something in the month of Tishri (Sept/Oct).
Happy memory making at the World Cup, and maybe the Boks have been humbled sufficiently to be able to bounce back and realise their potential? Well done on being an ardent supporter, may you witness more successes!
